Customer Reviews

Irish Classics

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

`Irish Classics' fills a long-standing gap by taking Irish works in both the Irish and English languages, studying them side by side and attempting to show that they form a unified literary tradition. Whether Kiberd convinces you in every case or not, you will have read widely in Irish culture and history if you don't learn plenty about both along the way.

That aside, the wonderful thing about this book is its stout refusal to take the tenets of national mythology at face value, and forthright denunciation of those who remain in thrall to them. Whilst doing honour to the great ones of the past, Kiberd always has a hopeful eye on the future.

It's hardly sufficient praise to say that this is the best book about literature I've ever read, or even that it has introduced me to some superb but little-known works. It deserves to be as celebrated and influential as all but the greatest of the writing it examines.