Beyond Sally Rooney: Among the Irish new wave, Colin Barrett's short stories stand out

Colin Barrett's second collection, “Homesickness,” expands the reach of this mordantly funny Irishman beyond the small-town millennials of his debut.

Novelist Lynn Steger Strong on the revolutionary passivity of Rachel Cusk, Ottessa Moshfegh and Sally Rooney — how we’ve misread them and what comes next.Perhaps it’s better this way because Barrett’s stories contain so many layers they’re worth rereading more or less right away. “A Shooting in Rathreedane” bears the tone and subject matter of everyone’s favorite murder shows along with moments so mordantly funny you won’t even know that sound you hear is you, laughing out loud. Sgt.

When the trio encounters true madness at the local football clubhouse — in the form of a young man wielding a Japanese ceremonial sword — readerly antennae sense a brawl ahead. We fear for the other patrons, including the aged Peader Ginty and his flinty daughter Moira, whose response to Bimbo’s saying he has nothing to complain about is: “People who have nothing to complain about lack character.” Hold your laughter, please, because the expected brawl is going unexpected places.

In “Whoever Is There, Come on Through,” a woman named Eileen picks up her childhood friend Murt from a psychiatric hospital and takes him to McDonald’s. His order includes two Happy Meals. “’Always enjoy the tension,’ he said. ‘Waiting to see if they’ll ask if there’s actually a child with you.’” Later, after Eileen has spent weeks taking Murt for walks and bringing him food, his brother Jamie, “his mouth gone beady, unrepentant with drink,” says to her: “You care for him, Eileen ...

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

latimes /  🏆 11. in US

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Creating Is Lonely. Colin and Samir Are Helping to Change That.ColinandSamir's mega-popular YouTube talk show guides creators through the ups and downs of the fast-changing industry. Read our interview with them here:
Read more »

Watch: Exciting Short Film Inspired By Sifu [EXCLUSIVE]Benjamin Colussi (lwspakmei), the mind behind the movements in Sifu, has crafted a live-action short film with some extra cool fight moves. Check it out exclusively here!
Read more »

Exclusive: 6 years after Ashby high-rise controversy, 20-story apartment tower planned for siteExclusive: 6 years after Ashby high-rise controversy, a new luxury apartment tower planned for site
Read more »

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Adds Another Enterprise Captain to CastAdrian Holmes will play Robert April, the first captain of the USS Enterprise, in StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds. StarTrek StrangeNewWorlds
Read more »

Looking for 'inside information'? Best sports stories are in fan experiences | Rob OllerThe best sports memories come not from competition but from stories, laughs and love shared beyond the games and outside the stadiums and arenas.
Read more »