How do you rate Joseph O'Connor?

[spidermom]

NO...not the sister!

Another thread running about intellectuals in Ireland(i.e. are there any?)

Have read two of his books...the one about the famine ship and the one about the American civil war.Enjoyed both...specially the famine ship...listen to him regularly on drivetime on his weekly podcasts and really enjoy them(rap on obama...excellent)

Thinking maybe what we consider intellect today in 2009 would not pass muster in Joyces time...but should it?
Times change!.....Not sure whether O'Connor rates as intellectual...but maybe in todays context he does?

Any views?

[Clanrickard]

He is a poor writer and definitely not an intellectual.

[draiocht23]

I, for one, think he's an incredible writer. Also, his columns on Drivetime are amazing. He really uses the medium with singing, accents etc when delivering them and they're utterly engaging.

[spidermom]

He is a poor writer and definitely not an intellectual.

Ah.....I think his writing is good...holds the reader well!

I, for one, think he's an incredible writer. Also, his columns on Drivetime are amazing. He really uses the medium with singing, accents etc when delivering them and they're utterly engaging.

Thanks for that!!!!

[Catalpa]

'Star of the Sea' is a truly stunning book.


Havn't read the other one on the Civil War but intend to...

[McDave]

NO...not the sister!

Another thread running about intellectuals in Ireland(i.e. are there any?)

Have read two of his books...the one about the famine ship and the one about the American civil war.Enjoyed both...specially the famine ship...listen to him regularly on drivetime on his weekly podcasts and really enjoy them(rap on obama...excellent)

Thinking maybe what we consider intellect today in 2009 would not pass muster in Joyces time...but should it?
Times change!.....Not sure whether O'Connor rates as intellectual...but maybe in todays context he does?

Any views?

As a writer I don't care for JOC at all. Read some of his earlier stuff at a time when I was going through rakes of Irish writers. I found him a bit trite, parochial and journalistic, pandering to those who had shared the London experience. Of the newer writers of the time, I much preferred Emer Martin (Breakfast in Babylon), Mike McCormack (Getting it in the Head) and Colm Toibin (The South). Also really got into Dermot Bolger (The Journey Home) and the earlier Roddy Doyle.

If you're talking about living intellectuals in Irish writing, for my money John Banville can't be beat. On the academic front, JJ Lee (based in New York?) is definitely a brainiac of an entertaining hue!

[spidermom]

Cannot read Banville..and he's one of my own...as in Wexford!as for Toibin...the Lighthouse keeper...I really loved!



Mind you...re Banville...really enjoyed Christina Falls...weird?

[well_known_grouse]

I love Joe O'Connor. I totally agree and have most of his podcasts saved on CD for listening to in the car .. didn't get round to reading any of his books though

[spidermom]

I love Joe O'Connor. I totally agree and have most of his podcasts saved on CD for listening to in the car .. didn't get round to reading any of his books though

OH you should!!!
In particular...the famine ship one...will post the title!!!

[Cyberspaced]

If you're talking about living intellectuals in Irish writing, for my money John Banville can't be beat. On the academic front, JJ Lee (based in New York?) is definitely a brainiac of an entertaining hue!

Agreed....