By
Steven CallaghanIs romantic Ireland dead and gone....not with the click of your mouse
Whoever said Irish Writing and the Irish Publishing industry is in decline hasn't read Fishing in Beirut. I say this for two reasons. 1. Steven Callaghan is a super brand new Irish voice in writing and 2.This novel is being published, serialized, online.
Fishing in Beirut is an ambitious novel which delivers on many levels and the serialization of this story, online, is one of the most original ways I have encountered a novel.
It is the story of five modern characters living in Paris. It has tangible descriptions of Paris, iconic landmarks we all know mixed in with gritty characters that reveal through their stories, the underbelly of Parisian life that also exists. It is made up of short scenes,beautiful and sometimes poignant literary sentences that you will want to linger over. Each scene and character portrait is full of promise and you feel a culmination building the deeper you go into the novel.
Callaghan's writing is a reward in itself but is balanced with very humanly drawn out characters which makes this literary debut also a compelling page turner.
What I especially loved about this novel was the Hemmingway reminiscent food descriptions which often made me hungry.
With a new scene released every day I have found myself eagerly logging on.Forget the e-reader or the kindle;online publishing is clearly where it's at. If this novel is heralding in a new era in contemporary Irish Literary Fiction, I for one am in. Is romantic Ireland dead and gone? No way...not with the click of your mouse!
Sarah's Books
Fishing in Beirut Steven Callaghan published by Blue Press September 2010.
This is a beautifully and sensitively written book which I really enjoyed reading. Recommended! Great review, I agree wholeheartedly.
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