The Dublin Literary Award winning writer sets his sights on the American Midwest in a romance for the ages starring deranged gunmen, distant horizons, and doomed lovers on the run.
Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Irish Times, and The Observer
Deranged gunmen, distant horizons, and doomed romance all feature in Kevin Barry’s first novel since the Booker-longlisted Night Boat to Tangier. Savagely funny and set against the sweeping backdrop of the American Midwest, The Heart in Winter follows immigrant Irish worker Tom Rourke on an epic journey, driven by love and desire for a new life.
As a hard winter approaches the rough and tumble mining city of Butte, Montana, drinker and degenerate Tom’s life of debauchery is upended by the arrival of Polly Gillespie, wife of the extremely devout mine captain. A lightning strike love affair ensues, leading Tom and Polly to head out west on a stolen horse in pursuit of a fresh start.
In this unmissable conversation, Dublin Literary Award winner Kevin Barry discusses what drew him to 1890s America, the real history of Irish immigrant miners, and the enduring appeal of the Western genre.
Kevin Barry is the author of four novels and three short story collections. He also works as a playwright and screenwriter.