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In this enduring classic, renowned Irish author Seán O'Faoláin offers a penetrating examination of what makes great short fiction work. Drawing from his experience as both a master practitioner and dedicated teacher of the form, Faoláin provides aspiring writers with insights that have remained relevant for over seven decades.
The heart of O'Faoláin's approach lies not in technical formulas but in his insistence that good writing begins with authentic perception. Through clear-eyed analysis and memorable examples, he demonstrates why so many aspiring writers fail-not for lack of technique, but because they have not truly learned to see the world around them.
O'Faoláin challenges the notion that ordinary lives provide insufficient material for fiction, pointing to writers like Dickens and Maupassant who transformed humble experiences into enduring literature. He argues persuasively that the bank clerk who claims to have nothing to write about has missed the essential truth: that the writer's gift lies not in extraordinary circumstances but in extraordinary awareness.
Blending practical advice with philosophical depth, this vintage gem from the post-war literary renaissance stands as both a practical guide and a passionate defense of authenticity in fiction. For anyone serious about the craft of short stories, O'Faoláin's candid, sometimes bracingly direct counsel remains as valuable today as when first written.
About the author
Seán Ó Faoláin (1900-1991) was an Irish writer, editor and literary critic born in Cork. Educated at UCC and Harvard, he became a prolific author of short stories, novels and biographies. O'Faolain edited The Bell magazine from 1940 to 1945, using it as a platform for critical discourse on Irish society and culture. His works often explored themes of Irish identity, disillusionment with post-revolutionary Ireland and complex human nature. O'Faolain received numerous honours, including honorary doctorates from TCD and NUI, and was elected saoi in Aosdána. His significant contributions to Irish literature include the short story collections 'Midsummer Night Madness' and 'The Finest Stories of Sean O'Faolain'.
