Tuesday evening I hosted a session at the NUI Maynooth on crime fiction and contemporary Ireland with Declan Burke, Gene Kerrigan and Niamh O'Connor. I thoroughly enjoyed the panel discussion and the conversation in the pub afterwards. Each author opened by saying a little about their writing and what they are trying to achieve through their story-telling. They then read a short passage from one of their novels that they felt opened a window into Irish society. This was followed by questions and answers with members of the audience. The discussion was quite wide-ranging, including how crime fiction enabled a writer to explore the human condition and drama arising from crime, as well as the social and political context within which crimes take place; how crime fiction creates a sense of place and identity; if there was anything particularly unique about Irish crime fiction and how it fitted into the wider international crime fiction landscape; and the points of connection and difference between Irish crime fiction and Irish literary fiction. The event was videod, so depending on the quality of footage I'll look at putting the session up on line rather than try and paraphrase the discussion as I wasn't taking notes.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Ireland through the lens of crime fiction
Tuesday evening I hosted a session at the NUI Maynooth on crime fiction and contemporary Ireland with Declan Burke, Gene Kerrigan and Niamh O'Connor. I thoroughly enjoyed the panel discussion and the conversation in the pub afterwards. Each author opened by saying a little about their writing and what they are trying to achieve through their story-telling. They then read a short passage from one of their novels that they felt opened a window into Irish society. This was followed by questions and answers with members of the audience. The discussion was quite wide-ranging, including how crime fiction enabled a writer to explore the human condition and drama arising from crime, as well as the social and political context within which crimes take place; how crime fiction creates a sense of place and identity; if there was anything particularly unique about Irish crime fiction and how it fitted into the wider international crime fiction landscape; and the points of connection and difference between Irish crime fiction and Irish literary fiction. The event was videod, so depending on the quality of footage I'll look at putting the session up on line rather than try and paraphrase the discussion as I wasn't taking notes.
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6 comments:
Great evening - really enjoyed the discussion.
This sounds amazing.
"how crime fiction enabled a writer to explore the human condition and drama arising from crime, as well as the social and political context within which crimes take place" "and the points of connection and difference between Irish crime fiction and Irish literary fiction."
I would love to have been there.
If you have luck with putting the session online, please let me know!
It was very pleasant to finally meet people whose writing I enjoy.
I think that the mention of the current fiscal recession at the beginning of the session set the tone for what followed, or at least that was the case in my mind.
It was really worth the effort to go out to one of the chilliest spots in Ireland to hear so many fine writers share their work.
As for posing question as to the whys and wherefores, I tend to stick to the idea that Ireland is packed with writers because there is such a grim climate most of the year round.
Great evening - plenty of food for thought! :o)
Sounds great, Rob. Wish I had been there.
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