Ireland, Literature, and the Coast: Seatangled

The island of Ireland is home to a rich literary and artistic tradition, and this book explores Irish literature and art in the context of its coastal and maritime cultures. It includes chapters on key historical texts and contemporary writers, connecting Irish literature to an archipelago of other times and places.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The island of Ireland boasts a rich literary and artistic heritage that stands among the finest in the world. This comprehensive book explores the intricate relationship between Irish literature and art and the coastal and maritime cultures that have shaped its evolution. Spanning from the late imperial era of Jack and William Butler Yeats to the contemporary works of Anne Enright and Sinead Morrissey, it offers a comprehensive examination of the island's literary and artistic landscape.

The book delves into key historical texts such as Erskine Childers' The Riddle of the Sands, providing valuable insights into the political and social contexts of the time. It also showcases contemporary writers like Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Kevin Barry, who continue to contribute to the vibrant literary scene of Ireland.

What sets this book apart is its innovative approach to linking Irish literature to an archipelago of other times and places. Through a series of chapters that explore liquid associations and interconnectedness, the book creates a fluid panorama of literary and visual art that connects Ireland to a diverse range of historical and cultural contexts.

Situated within the broader discourse of the blue and environmental humanities, this book builds on the growing interest in seas and coasts in literary studies. It presents James Joyce, Elizabeth Bowen, John Banville, and many other Irish writers in new coastal and maritime contexts, offering fresh perspectives on their works. By doing so, the book weaves a literary and visual narrative that spans across a vast seaboard, extending to a planetary configuration of imagined islands.

In conclusion, The Island of Ireland: Literature and Art in Coastal and Maritime Contexts is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of Irish literature and art. By contextualizing these works within the rich tapestry of coastal and maritime cultures, the book provides a deeper understanding of the island's literary and artistic heritage and its place in the global landscape. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Irish literature, art, and the broader cultural significance of the sea.

Weight: 646g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198857877