McGahern John

Introduced by Sinéad Gleeson, John McGahern''s Booker Prize-shortlisted Irish ''masterpiece'' (Colm Tóibín) is essential reading for admirers of Claire Keegan. As he weakened, Moran became afraid of his daughters. Moran''s life is defined by his days of glory as a guerrilla leader in the Irish War of Independence. Now, he is simply an ageing widower, eking out an existence on the small farm where he raises his two sons and three daughters. He keeps control by binding his family close - but as his children seek independence, and the passing years bring bewildering change, this tormented veteran must find a balance between love and tyranny. ''It almost finished me as an aspiring writer. How could a book be this good?'' Donal Ryan ''Wise and compelling . . . Elegiac and graceful.'' David Mitchell‘The preeminent Irish writer of his generation.’ Anne Enright''He blew me away.'' Colin Barrett ''A great writer.'' Sebastian Barry ''Extraordinary.'' Colin Walsh''A master.'' Kevin Barry

'My only concern', John McGahern once said, 'is that I get the sentence right and describe my world clearly and deeply.' 'The Country Funeral' witnesses three brothers, John, Philly and Fonsie Ryan, as they travel west from Dublin to Gloria Bog - the heart of the territory where so many of McGahern's stories take place - to attend the funeral of their uncle. Depicting the customs and rituals of the day, McGahern exquisitely traces how the brothers react to the area in unexpected and tender ways, and face their own feelings about the transience of life.