There is something fitting about where Malachy McCourt is calling from as I speak to him about his dark and hilarious new book Death Need Not Be Fatal. McCourt is at a Manhattan rehabilitation facility, where he will spend the next few weeks recovering from a “severe attack” of gout. “I’m doing pretty good now,” he says, sounding lively and cheerful enough given what he’s … [Read more...] about Taunting Death with Malachy McCourt
Books
Portals to the Other World
This fall, a number of our most celebrated Irish American authors will launch books into heavy seas where Twitter storms and televised tantrums batter our attention, but after spending time at the Book Expo, the publishing industry’s lollapalooza in New York City this summer, I realized all will be well. I met with Jennifer Egan, Alice McDermott, Michael Connelly, Lawrence … [Read more...] about Portals to the Other World
Dangerfield Lives!
The Ginger Man at 60
At 89, J.P. Donleavy celebrated 60 years of his best-selling cult-classic, The Ginger Man. At his countryside retreat near Mullingar, he spoke to Noel Shine about his extraordinary life and the novel that gave rise to his notoriety all those years ago.
This article originally appeared in the October/November issue of Irish America. Dunleavy passed away on September 11, 2017 … [Read more...] about Dangerfield Lives!
The Ginger Man at 60
20 Great Interviews: Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark is one of America's premier "who done it" writers. Her books are worldwide best-sellers. Several of her novels have been made into television dramas and major movies. In April 2000, she signed a five-book deal with Simon & Schuster worth an astonishing $64 million, but as one book after another passes the million mark in sales, the arrangement looks like … [Read more...] about 20 Great Interviews: Mary Higgins Clark
Paddy Whacked
T.J. English didn't quite know what to expect when he went up to Boston earlier this year to promote his eye-opening new book, Paddy Whacked: The Untold Story of the Irish American Gangster. "Boston is the one place where this story is still a contemporary story, because of South Boston and the way Irish-American culture has been preserved in South Boston like no place else," … [Read more...] about Paddy Whacked