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Claire Keegan’s stories are translated into more than thirty languages, and she has won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Edge Hill Prize, the Davy Byrnes Award, and the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, amongst others. Keegan is celebrated and beloved for her ability to say so much in so few words, strikingly and profoundly, and her latest novel So Late in the Day is no exception, exploring dissatisfaction and misogyny in relationships. So Late in the Day is shortlisted for Eason Novel of the Year 2023 and Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year.
Tell us a bit about your latest novel.
So Late in the Day is the story of a dull civil servant named Cathal, his day at the office and his return home on the day that was scheduled to have been his wedding day. It explores his misogyny, his cheapness and the dishonesty which prevents him from facing and altering his behaviour.
What is the story behind its conception?
Several years ago, during a writing workshop, I was asked by one of my students to give an example of a story which had a good deal of tension but little drama, and I wound up outlining this story on the board, during class. I’d been using it as an example ever since, adding more details. After I finished and submitted the manuscript of Small Things Like These, I finally sat down and wrote the story.
What do you hope readers will take away from your narrative?
Simply that they take some pleasure in reading the story. I’ve no interest in micromanaging my readers; whatever they take from the text has got to be alright. Teaching has taught me that most of us read too quickly, at a rate which actually prevents us from gathering the meaning of the prose.
How does it feel to be on this shortlist amongst so many other brilliant authors?
Great.
Ireland is a literary powerhouse. Why do you think this is?
It probably has much to do with our humour around chaos, the currents of the Irish language running through English as we use it, and the fact that we are not a literal people.
Who are your favourite Irish writers?
Joyce, Synge, Yeats, McGahern.
What An Post Irish Book Awards shortlisted book is next on your to-be-read pile?
I’m reading the stories of the year. The book is Though the Bodies Fall by Noel O’Regan.
Explore the Eason Novel of the Year Shortlist here.