"Better than perfect… O’Connor has broken the mould of Irish fiction."
The Sunday Independent
Joseph O'Connor last appeared at the Dublin Writers Festival three years ago to discuss Redemption Falls. Now the Festival welcomes him back to celebrate the publication of his brand-new novel Ghost Light. Every Wednesday, his specially commissioned diary is aired on RTE Radio 1’s Drivetime, Ireland’s number one evening radio news programme. We are delighted to welcome Drivetime’s presenter, Mary Wilson, to chair this event.
Spanning Edwardian Dublin to twenties Manhattan, wartime West End to the elegant theatres of San Francisco, Ghost Light is a moving love story played out across cultures, continents and epochs. Dublin 1907. Molly Allgood – a young actress from the tenements – dreams of Broadway. But Molly has a secret. Her lover is none other than John Synge – troubled genius and Ireland's leading playwright. Once discovered, their affair is sternly opposed – by friends, family and austere Edwardian convention. Many years later scenes from their doomed courtship return to haunt Molly as she makes her way through the windblown streets of post-war London.
Joseph O'Connor has written seven novels including the Whitbread-shortlisted Cowboys and Indians, Redemption Falls (nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award), and the multi-prize-winning global bestseller Star of the Sea.
This event is kindly supported by RTÉ Radio 1