Rhythms of Writing An Anthropology of Irish Literature

This is the first anthropological study of writers, writing and contemporary literary culture. Drawing on the flourishing literary scene in Ireland as the basis for her research, Helena Wulff explores the social world of contemporary Irish writers, examining fiction, novels, short stories as well as journalism. Discussing writers such as John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín, Frank McCourt, Anne Enright, Deirdre Madden, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Colum McCann, David Park, and Joseph O?Connor, Wulff reveals how the making of a writer?s career is built on the ?rhythms of writing?: long hours of writing in solitude alternate with public events such as book readings and media appearances. Destined to launch a new field of enquiry, Rhythms of Writing is essential reading for students and scholars in anthropology, literary studies, creative writing, cultural studies, and Irish studies.

ForewordAcknowledgementsPrologue: Writing as Craft and Career 1. The Making of a Writer: Training and Creativity 2. Paths and Profiles: In Search of Recognition 3. The Public Intellectual: Writing Journalism 4. Modes of Writing: Genres, Topics, Styles 5. Tracing Tales: Folklore in Fiction6. Selling Stories: The Publishing Market 7. Varieties of Translation: Within and Across Media 8. America as Hope: Legacy of Leaving 9. Irish Literature and the World BibliographyIndex

Helena Wulff is Professor of Social Anthropology at Stockholm University, Sweden