Mother America and Other Stories
Nuala Ní Chonchúir
2012 • New Island Books
The story ‘Mother America’ touches on the major motifs in this collection of stories: religion, fear, how mothers and sons relate, and the influence of America on Ireland. Funnily enough the story pre-dates the rest of the stories by a number of years but I held it over as I thought the title would work well for a collection. I didn’t write the other stories because of it but themes of mothering and migration emerged over the three years or so this collection was written. Life is ugly-pretty and that’s what interests me as a writer. I would rather write/read about the hard stuff and sensual things than hearts ‘n’ flowers. I think the cover does a great job of representing the book – it was my favourite of eight designs the publisher came up with; I just love that Kewpie doll!
— Nuala Ní Chonchúir
Mother America and Other Stories
Nuala Ní Chonchúir
2012 • New Island Books
The story ‘Mother America’ touches on the major motifs in this collection of stories: religion, fear, how mothers and sons relate, and the influence of America on Ireland. Funnily enough the story pre-dates the rest of the stories by a number of years but I held it over as I thought the title would work well for a collection. I didn’t write the other stories because of it but themes of mothering and migration emerged over the three years or so this collection was written. Life is ugly-pretty and that’s what interests me as a writer. I would rather write/read about the hard stuff and sensual things than hearts ‘n’ flowers. I think the cover does a great job of representing the book – it was my favourite of eight designs the publisher came up with; I just love that Kewpie doll!
— Nuala Ní Chonchúir
Description
Mother America is Nuala Ní Chonchúir’s fourth collection of short stories. One of the stories, ‘Peach,’ was published in Prairie Schooner (Winter 2011) and nominated for the 2012 Pushcart Prize. She has also published four volumes of poetry and two novels.
Excerpts
Interviews
- Valerie Sirr Blog: 'Nuala Ní Chonchúir Talks About her Latest Book'
- Dan Powell Blog: Interview with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Snow Like Thought Blog: Interview with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Declan Burke Blog: Q&A with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Irish Nomad in Malaysia Blog: Interview with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Elizabeth Baines Blog: Interview with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Pank: In Conversation with Nuala Ní Chonchúir,
- The Irish Times: 'Maid in America - An Author's Tale'
- Writing.ie: 'Beautiful Words - Nuala Ní Chonchúir'
Prizes & Awards
Reviews
Audio
- Irish Writers Centre: 'Egg Pyramid' - Reading
- Irish Writers Centre: Nuala Ní Choncúir
- RTÉ: Arena - Nuala Ní Chonchúir, Author
Video
- Book trailer for Mother America
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir reads from 'Peach,' from Mother America
- Kennys Bookshop: Author Nuala Ní Chonchúir Reads from Mother America
- Bay Path Video: Interview with Nuala Ní Chonchúir
- Launch of Mother America in The Winding Stair, Dublin 2012
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir reads 'Peach' (part 1)
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir reads 'Peach' (part 2)
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir reads 'Peach' (part 3)
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir reads 'Peach' (part 4)
