Sara Baume
A Line Made by Walking
Baume studied Fine Art at IADT before obtaining her Masters in Creative Writing at Trinity. Additionally, she spent nine months as an intern at the Douglas Hyde Gallery in 2008. She has since published two novels, Spill Simmer Falter Wither in 2015, and A Line Made by Walking in 2017. Her novels reflect a fusion of visual and written images and her work has received vast critical acclaim internationally as well as winning a range of awards, including the 2015 Rooney Prize for Literature. Baume’s writing is consistently vibrant and her skills which span across a wide range of art forms are evident in each work. Her latest novel, A Line Made By Walking, is a moving meditation on life, art, and human frailty. Baume’s next novel, Handiwork, is scheduled for publication next month — what better time to get acquainted with her work?
Claire Hennessy
Like Other Girls
Hennessy studied History and English Literature as an undergraduate before completing her Masters in Popular Literature and Creative Writing. She has since published thirteen books, encompassing genres such as teen, young adult, and historical fiction. Her most recent work, Like Other Girls, is a feat for Irish Young Adult fiction. It tackles issues like sexuality and coming-of-consciousness with sustained humour and deftness. Having worked as a writer, editor, and teacher, Hennessy’s dedication to her craft is visible in all of her works.
“Her interest in Greek mythology, the intricacies of language, and her incredible attention to detail make reading her poetry a heartening and motivating experience.”
Paula Meehan
Geomantic
General Studies graduate, poet, playwright, and former Ireland Professor of Poetry Paula Meehan is a testament to Trinity’s and Ireland’s literary zeal. Meehan has published eight poetry collections and her most recent work, Geomantic, may be her finest creation. Her interest in Greek mythology, the intricacies of language, and her incredible attention to detail make reading her poetry a heartening and motivating experience. Geomantic presents 81 poems consisting of nine-syllable lines each, a consistency both satisfying and meaningful, as the structural simplicity makes the content feel almost tangible. Her strong sense of morality combined with her affinity for well-placed humour makes this collection, like all of her works, an unmissable read.
Mary Robinson
Climate Justice, Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future
In 2018, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson published Climate Justice, Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future, and its relevance has only grown. Having served in two capacities as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as her other countless achievements, her vast knowledge and solid moral compass shine through on every page. Robinson represents the hope for real change amidst our current climate crisis and her ability to compress and affect into a succinct manifesto is exquisite. Reading this “call to arms” is sure to lighten anyone’s existential dread about the state of the planet — even if just for a moment.
Tana French
The Wych Elm/The Witch Elm
The Independent deemed Tana French “the First Lady of Irish Crime”, and it’s not hard to see why. With fans like Stephen King, she has become an international success and well-used to critical acclaim. Her latest novel, The Wych Elm/The Witch Elm, is sure to be a treat for crime fiction lovers, or the perfect introduction for a rookie of the genre. French’s penchant for suspense produces a reading experience both exhilarating and fascinating. A fresh blend of gothic elements and all-round sensory eeriness, the novel is sure to draw you in to ensure you understand why The New Yorker credited her as having “inspire[d] a cultic devotion in readers”.
“Enright’s writings in the collection span a range of topics from the internal to the external, from the personal to the political, and read like a blend of high-quality journalism and academic writing while still being easy to navigate.”
Anne Enright
No Authority: Writings from the Laureateship
Anne Enright, the vastly illustrious and renowned first laureate for Irish fiction, is set to publish her next novel, Actress, next month. Fans of her novels have been waiting for five years for the release with her latest work, No Authority: Writings from the Laureateship, serving as a stark reminder of her status as a crucial cultural critic for Ireland and beyond. Enright’s writings within the collection span a range of topics from the internal to the external, from the personal to the political, and read like a blend of high-quality journalism and academic writing while remaining accessible.
