Philip roth described her as the most gifted woman now writing in english, while the former president of ireland mary robinson cited her as one of the great creative writers of her generation. Novelist edna obrien on sex, books and a lifetime of. The case several years ago of an irish girl who was barred by judicial decree from leaving the country to procure an abortion was bound to work its way into fiction, and obrien was probably the. Down by the river begins, deceptively, in an idyllic rural setting somewhere in ireland. Irish writer edna o brien revisits this embattled territory in her novel down by the river, a bleak, uncompromising chronicle of poverty, unwanted pregnancy, and despair. Down by the river by edna obrien 1997, hardcover for sale. Edna obrien is still gripped by dark moral questions the. Like the works of her predecessors james joyce and frank oconnor, some of her books were banned in ireland. Down by the river by edna obrien paperback first edition. Dec 29, 20 irish writers in america edna o brien down by the river cunytv75.
Obriens protagonist is mary, almost 14 years old and pregnant by her widowed father. Oct 16, 2019 in her 1996 novel down by the river, obrien confronted the catholic churchs stance against abortion headon with the story of a young incest victim whose pregnancy becomes a rallying cry in a very public tugofwar between prochoice activists and the church. Reviews of down by the river are some of the best of obrien s distinguished career. Down by the river by edna obrien paperback, 1997 for sale. Down by the river is loosely based on an incident that occurred in 1992 involving a fourteenyearold girl, pregnant, it was thought, as the result of. She describes her hometown as a small bigoted, fervid and enclosed small village that she hated. Girl, edna obrien s hotly anticipated new novel, envisages the lives of the boko haram girls in a masterpiece of violence and tenderness. Edna obrien is still writing about women on the run. Edna obrien is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers writes of feminist issues without flinching away from violence, in dark, turbulent prose juxtaposed by settings in pastoral ireland. If you had to name one book that made you who you are today, what would it be. Buy a cheap copy of down by the river book by edna obrien.
The author of down by the river and house of splendid isolation narrates the story of two siblings, brother and sister, and the dangerous newcomer would try to steal everything they have. Get the best deal by comparing prices from over 100,000 booksellers. Buy down by the river by obrien, edna from amazons fiction books store. Buy down by the river by o brien, edna from amazons fiction books store. Inspired by a highly controversial incident that took place in ireland a few years ago, obrien s latest novel after house of splendid isolation is a riveting and resonating story. I feel its not too dramatic or extreme to say that in this book edna obrien rewrites the history of women in ireland. At the centre of the crisis a young girl struggles with the conflicts of mind and body, the. Down by the river, though written in 1996, is relevant in todays political climate where government and religious forces wage war on womens bodies. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. I was lonely, cut off from the dance of life the controversial authors latest novel sees a woman fall for an outsider with a dark past. See all books authored by edna obrien, including the country girls trilogy and epilogue, and the little red chairs, and more on. Down by the river book by edna obrien 4 available editions.
Jul 14, 2017 edna obrien gestures to her face, as though it were covered in wounds. Down by the river more editions of down by the river. Wild decembers by obrien, edna and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Find and compare hundreds of millions of new books, used books, rare books and out of print books from. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards.
The case several years ago of an irish girl who was barred by judicial decree from leaving the country to procure an abortion was bound to work its way into fiction, and o brien was probably the likeliest to. Edna obriens most recent books are the novel the light of evening 2006 and byron in love 2009. Irish writer edna obrien revisits this embattled territory in her novel down by the river, a bleak, uncompromising chronicle of poverty, unwanted pregnancy, and despair. Last month novelist edna obrien was elected a saoi in her native ireland, alongside william trevor. A crime of passion results in an emotional battlefield for. Buy down by the river by edna obrien online at alibris. Lori is a board member of the national book critics circle, and her work appears in various online and print publications. Aug 25, 2019 edna obrien in the street where she lived in 1964. Edna obrien books list of books by author edna obrien.
Her short story collections include a scandalous woman, a fanatic heart, and lantern slides. Her first seven novels were banned in ireland, where they were considered too scandalous. Down by the river by edna obrien and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Expatriate irish writer o brien house of splendid isolation, 1994, etc. Down by the river is a 1997 novel by irish novelist edna o brien. Down by the river is loosely based on an incident that occurred in 1992 involving a fourteenyearold girl, pregnant, it was thought, as the result of rape.
How edna obrien found sanctuary among jewishamerican writers. A few years ago, ireland was forced to confront its conscience when a 14yearold girl, the purported victim of rape, sought an abortion in england. Reviews of down by the river are some of the best of obriens distinguished career. How edna obrien found sanctuary among jewishamerican writers repudiated in ireland, the author found a receptive audience among writers such as bellow, roth and mailer. Edna obrien is still writing about women on the run the. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and globe staff. Sign up for librarything to find out whether youll like this book. In a repressed, judgmental rural world, mary can tell no one of her plight. Obrien s previous novel, the house of splendid isolation, is now in its 7th printing in plume. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over.
Down by the river by edna obrien paperback, 1997 for. Josephine edna o brien, dbe born 15 december 1930 is an irish novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet and short story writer. The case several years ago of an irish girl who was barred by judicial decree from leaving the country to procure an abortion was bound to work its way into fiction, and obrien was probably the likeliest to. Down by the river explored the abortion laws through a courtroom showdown. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Obriens previous novel, the house of splendid isolation, is now in its 7th printing in plume. Getty i meet obrien at her modest terraced house on a quiet, welltodo street in chelsea. By the end, its consequences have addressed and divided the political and judicial fabric of the nation. House of splendid isolation, down by the river and wild decembers. At eightyeight, the regal irish novelist is publishing new fictionand recalling her early rise to fame. She coowns interabang books in dallas, where she works as the stores book buyer.
The novel depicts the response of a local community the a girl, mary, abuse by her father being exposed to their local community when she tries to get an abortion. Buy down by the river by edna o brien online at alibris. Down by the river by edna obrien 1997, hardcover for. She was born in county clare ireland in 1930 and spent most of her childhood in the small town of twamgraney. Although her writing could be haunting and beautiful at times, it also created confusion, not. Irish writers in america edna obrien down by the river cunytv75. Wild decembers by o brien, edna and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Obrien does a fine job capturing the horrors of incest as well as the ramifications of a closedminded society upon the victim. Buy a cheap copy of down by the river book by edna o brien. Edna obrien is still gripped by dark moral questions ms.
Expatriate irish writer obrien house of splendid isolation, 1994, etc. Click to read more about down by the river by edna obrien. Edna obrien is still gripped by dark moral questions. Her book about james joyce was published in 1999 a. Based on a series of true incidents, the book tells the story of mary, a 14 yearold girl who is raped by her father, becomes pregnant and ultimately finds herself the cause celebre of the whole country when a friend of the family tries to help her obtain an. Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing.
Irish writers in america edna obrien down by the river. I have owned this book for many years and finally read it. Down by the river by edna o brien and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Edna obrien is an irish novelist, screenwriter, and short story author from ireland.
Oct 23, 2015 last month novelist edna obrien was elected a saoi in her native ireland, alongside william trevor. Edna obrien gestures to her face, as though it were covered in wounds. Down by the river is just the latest in a long line of fiercely honest books by a fearlessly honest author. A crime of passion results in an emotional battlefield for one and all, with opposing factions taking militant sides. The ensuing legal and moral battles exposed the emerald isles centurieslong struggles over religion, sexuality, and the position of women. Edna obrien made her name in the 1960s with the country girls trilogy.
Edna obrien is the internationally acclaimed author of more than thirty books, including wild decembers, down by the river, in the forest, house of splendid isolation, time and tide, and lantern slides. Edna obrien, irish novelist, shortstory writer, and screenwriter whose work has been noted for its portrayals of women, evocative description, and sexual candor. Johnny i hardly kew you, the high road, time and tide, and second trilogy. So begins girl, edna obrien s harrowing portrayal of the young wome. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. Mar 26, 2016 edna obrien is still gripped by dark moral questions ms. Buy down by the river by edna obrien from waterstones today. Although her writing could be haunting and beautiful at times, it also created confusion, not only the style but also the story itself. Apr 01, 1997 edna o brien is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers writes of feminist issues without flinching away from violence, in dark, turbulent prose juxtaposed by settings in pastoral ireland. Down by the river is a 1997 novel by irish novelist edna obrien.
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