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John McGahern

A Writing Life
By Frank Shovlin
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Brief Description
The definitive biography of Ireland's greatest post-war writer, rich in dramatic revelations bringing to life the world that inspired his masterpieces. On his death in 2006, John McGahern was hailed as 'the most important Irish novelist since Samuel Beckett' (Guardian) that 'everyone should read' (Colm Tóibín)... Read More
Format: Hardback
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The life of 'the most important Irish novelist since Samuel Beckett' (Guardian) that 'everyone should read'; (Colm Tóibín); 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel).

The life of 'the most important Irish novelist since Samuel Beckett' (Guardian) that 'everyone should read'; (Colm Tóibín); 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel).

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The definitive biography of Ireland's greatest post-war writer, rich in dramatic revelations bringing to life the world that inspired his masterpieces.

On his death in 2006, John McGahern was hailed as 'the most important Irish novelist since Samuel Beckett' (Guardian) that 'everyone should read' (Colm Tóibín) and 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel). But who was the enigmatic man behind the literary myth?

McGahern became famous in 1965 when his novel The Dark—exposing child abuse in the rural Irish community—was banned for its 'pornographic content'. But his private life before and after has been shrouded in mystery.

One of seven children on a farm ruled by his militant father, McGahern's universe was shattered by the death of his mother when he was nine. After studying at University College Dublin, his early marriage failed—and once dismissed from his position as a teacher after the censorship scandal, his turmoiled love affairs as an exile in London led to the secret birth of a son. But it was the moment he met his future wife, Madeline Green—his partner for the rest of his life—that defined his future existence of literary creativity.

After decades of research, Frank Shovlin has crafted a magisterial portrait of this elusive figure, drawing on hours of new interviews and unseen archival material to illuminate a cultural legend.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571375653

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 08 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 496

Collections

Biography & Memoir Frank Shovlin Musicians, Movie Stars & Creative Biographies Non-Fiction

About the Author

Frank Shovlin is Professor of Irish Literature in English at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool. He was educated at University College Galway where he took BA and MA degrees before moving on to St John's College, Oxford where he completed his D. Phil. He was a British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellow for 2018-19 and is the editor of The Letters of John McGahern (Faber).

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