Description
The Lie of the Land is a highly engaging study of Ireland's fractured and shifting identities by one of its most talented writers. From its sometimes confused sense of place, caught somewhere between Europe and America, Ireland has redefined itself in the 1990s. Fintan O'Toole highlights the contradictions and the mythologies at work in Ireland's ever-changing idea of itself.
This collection of essays is drawn from Fintan O'Toole's writings over two decades. Its portraits of people - talk-show hosts, priests, children, pop stars - and its reports of social and political upheaval, reveal a country still in search of itself, but more at ease with its complexities.
About the Author
Fintan O'Toole has been a regular contributor to the Irish Times and the Guardian. He has written books on the politics of the Irish beef industry and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Is currently living and working In New York as drama critic at the Daily News.
Reviews
Scintillatingly intelligent journalism ... Fintan O'Toole is one of Ireland's most talented journalists. -- TERRY EAGLETON * Observer *
O'Toole's weapons are laconic wit, a finely tuned sense of the ridiculous or anomalous and a spare, beautiful style. The concentrated energy of these essays, the richness of reference, their mordant humour can only be indicated in quotations: they demand to be read and re-read. -- ROY FOSTER * European *
[O'Toole] argues his case with much insight, wry humour and a touch of the blarney * Publisher's Weekly *
[The Lie of the Land] is both acute and liberating. The debunking of national myths, so often the favourite pastime of academics and the intelligentsia, is nowhere more needed than in Ireland... O'Toole's work will be lapped up by those who enjoy living with paradox and irony. -- PATRICK WEST * Literary Review *
Full of insight ... O'Toole peers into the soul of Ireland and the Irish: he finds paradoxes on every street, in every field. -- KIERAN COOKE * Financial Times *
A series of elegant essays on Irish identities...Such is O'Toole's way with metaphor that [these essays] shine brilliantly. -- DAVID ROBINSON * Scotsman *
A riveting and curious look at the state of Ireland at the end of the century. Heartfelt and passionate. O'Toole's ruminations effectively map a changing Ireland. * Kirkus Reviews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781859841327
Author Fintan O'Toole
Format Paperback
Page Count 190
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 381g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 18mm
This collection of essays is drawn from Fintan O'Toole's writings over two decades. Its portraits of people - talk-show hosts, priests, children, pop stars - and its reports of social and political upheaval, reveal a country still in search of itself, but more at ease with its complexities.
About the Author
Fintan O'Toole has been a regular contributor to the Irish Times and the Guardian. He has written books on the politics of the Irish beef industry and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Is currently living and working In New York as drama critic at the Daily News.
Reviews
Scintillatingly intelligent journalism ... Fintan O'Toole is one of Ireland's most talented journalists. -- TERRY EAGLETON * Observer *
O'Toole's weapons are laconic wit, a finely tuned sense of the ridiculous or anomalous and a spare, beautiful style. The concentrated energy of these essays, the richness of reference, their mordant humour can only be indicated in quotations: they demand to be read and re-read. -- ROY FOSTER * European *
[O'Toole] argues his case with much insight, wry humour and a touch of the blarney * Publisher's Weekly *
[The Lie of the Land] is both acute and liberating. The debunking of national myths, so often the favourite pastime of academics and the intelligentsia, is nowhere more needed than in Ireland... O'Toole's work will be lapped up by those who enjoy living with paradox and irony. -- PATRICK WEST * Literary Review *
Full of insight ... O'Toole peers into the soul of Ireland and the Irish: he finds paradoxes on every street, in every field. -- KIERAN COOKE * Financial Times *
A series of elegant essays on Irish identities...Such is O'Toole's way with metaphor that [these essays] shine brilliantly. -- DAVID ROBINSON * Scotsman *
A riveting and curious look at the state of Ireland at the end of the century. Heartfelt and passionate. O'Toole's ruminations effectively map a changing Ireland. * Kirkus Reviews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781859841327
Author Fintan O'Toole
Format Paperback
Page Count 190
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 381g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 18mm
