The Shelter of Neighbours
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
2012 • Blackstaff
I think short story writing is one of the more spontaneous narrative arts. Each story is written when it needs to be written. For me, writing ‘with a collection in mind’ would damage, if not destroy, the sense of catching a story from the air. One of the things I love about the short story is this easy relationship with time. It’s an omelette, not a turkey with all the trimmings. Having a specific kind of collection in mind from the start would – for me – make short story writing more like the marathon that is novel writing. On the other hand, like most writers, or people, I have certain interests and obsessions. And then there is the fact that ‘tarraingíonn scéal scéal eile’: one story suggests another.
— Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
The Shelter of Neighbours
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
2012 • Blackstaff
I think short story writing is one of the more spontaneous narrative arts. Each story is written when it needs to be written. For me, writing ‘with a collection in mind’ would damage, if not destroy, the sense of catching a story from the air. One of the things I love about the short story is this easy relationship with time. It’s an omelette, not a turkey with all the trimmings. Having a specific kind of collection in mind from the start would – for me – make short story writing more like the marathon that is novel writing. On the other hand, like most writers, or people, I have certain interests and obsessions. And then there is the fact that ‘tarraingíonn scéal scéal eile’: one story suggests another.
— Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
Description
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne has written novels and plays in English and in Irish, as well as several children’s books. The Shelter of Neighbours is her sixth story collection. Its title is derived from the Irish proverb ‘Ar Scath a Cheile a Mhaireann na Daoine,’ which may be translated as ‘people live in each others’ shelter.’ Contents: The man who had no story — A literary lunch — Illumination — Taboo — The Yeats — It is a miracle — Trespasses — The shelter of neighbours — The shortcut through Ikea — The Sugar Loaf — The moon shines clear, the horseman’s here — Red-hot poker — Bikes I have lost — The blind.
Interviews
- The Short Review: Interview with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
- Patrick Kelleher Blog: Interview with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
Prizes & Awards
Reviews
- Nuala Ní Chonchúir, The Short Review
- Lorraine Courtney, The Irish Independent
- Eithne Shortall, The Sunday Times
- Sue Leonard, The Irish Examiner
- Sinead Gleeson, The Irish Times
Audio
- Radio Sweden: Irish Writers Descend on Gothenburg Book Fair
- Real Smart Media: UCD Symposium - An Interview with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
