By Abbie Wright, Laura Wallace and Juliette Tulloch
Irish literature and in particular, Irish fiction novels, often contain incredible writing and beautiful stories. Authors such as Sally Rooney, Oscar Wilde and Edna O’Brien are a few of the big names that have given Ireland its reputation as a producer of world-class literature. Here are just some of the book covers that we believe showcase the beauty of Irish storytelling.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Written and set in Ireland, Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These follows Bill Furlong, a coal miner, in the run-up to Christmas as he discovers a secret that causes him to question both his past and his present. This is an incredible novel that has gained notoriety for being both beautifully written and delightfully entertaining. Its central themes of quiet heroism and hope make this a perfect read, even in the summer.
In terms of the book's cover, the design is kept simple while also giving the reader an idea of the setting and themes within the pages. The background is a snowy Ireland, clearly highlighting the small village setting that the story provides. The central focus of the cover is a singular bird which flies above the title of the book. This could symbolise the theme of hope that is central in the novel, or it could symbolise the heroic nature of our protagonist – something that becomes clearer to the reader as the novel escalates.
The title is front and centre on the cover, as well as Keegan’s name. This may represent her notoriety in the world of literature – it guarantees that any fans of her work will be able to pick this up easily. Overall, the cover clearly sets the winter theme of the novel, while subtly suggesting the story’s core themes to a potential reader.
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
Glorious Exploits, is written by Dublin-born author, Ferdia Lennon – who has an Irish mother and Libyan father. His short stories have been published in The Irish Times and he received a bursary award from the Arts Council of Ireland.
The novelty of Glorious Exploits is that it is based in 412 BC, yet written in a modern-day Irish voice, making it simultaneously funny and touching. Based in Sicily in 412 BC, it is during the Peloponnesian War, when the Syracusans held invading Athenians captive and left them to waste away. In Glorious Exploits, two local potters, who love poetry and wine, decide to bring the Athenian prisoners food, but only if they recite lines from Ancient Greek playwright, Euripides. This leads to a full production of Euripides’s play, Medea, and an obscuring of the lines between friend and enemy. The novel demonstrates the strength of art and companionship in a time of war.
The cover has a quirky vibe, alluding to the nature of the writing in the novel. The main component of the cover: the title of the book, is in large, sketched font, mimicking the style of Ancient Greek writing. The bright yellow background draws the reader's attention. A large wine jug is the main image on the cover, alongside two small characters at the cover’s bottom, who look like they are thin and struggling. The cover subtly indicates the content of the book, combining the novel’s themes of hardship and humour.
Hagstone by Sinéad Gleeson
Sinéad Gleeson’s debut novel from 4th Estate follows small island life through the eyes of artist Nell. The island they call home is isolated and eerie, cut off from the rest of the world and described as a safe haven by the Inions – a group of women who have travelled from all over the world to be there. When Nell is asked to produce a commission that celebrates the island, she will learn more about the island's history and community.
Exploring themes of femininity, nature (both human and the physical) and faith, it’s clear Gleeson has crafted her debut carefully and intricately. The contrasting design and textures of the cover emphasises the wild nature of the island and its haunting atmosphere, with the neon graphics mirroring design trends in the horror genre. The cavernous rocks and lone figure insinuate the elements of safety and isolation, as well as mystery and danger, explored in Hagstone. For fans of Gleeson’s essays, and authors Margaret Atwood and Sarah Moss, this is not one to miss.
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