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Reflections On The Literary Legacy Of John Mcgahern (1934-2006), Eamon Maher
Reflections On The Literary Legacy Of John Mcgahern (1934-2006), Eamon Maher
Articles
It is hard to believe that John McGahern has been dead 13 years. Along with Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel, his work enriched the lives of many people, exerting as it did, in spite of the rawness of the issues broached, a soothing effect on his vast audience. Although the majority of his writing was situated in the northwest midlands of Ireland – the area of Leitrim-Roscommon – it has reached a global audience. This is because the existential dramas which he sketched with such wonderful poise are ones with which everyone can identify. Sons in conflict with autocratic fathers; …
John Mcgahern, The Conscience Of Ireland, Eamon Maher
John Mcgahern, The Conscience Of Ireland, Eamon Maher
Articles
John McGahern has been referred to variously as the chronicler of a disappearing traditional rural Ireland, as a critic of narrow, repressive thinking, particularly in the religious and social spheres, as a writer with a keen appreciation of the landscape, customs and practices of his native Leitrim/Roscommon. Undoubtedly, he was all these things, but he was above all else an artist who saw his role as simply to 'get his words right.' In an interview I conducted with rhe author in 2000, he made the following observation: 'I think that ifyou actually set out to give a picture of Ireland …