'The newly published book by respected historian Declan Kiberd examines the state of contemporary Ireland as seen through the eyes of its writers' Irish Post. 'Couching academic critiques in accessible prose, Kiberd is a brilliant essayist, unafraid of seeming idiosyncratic or contentious as he dissects a nation's history and artistic soul' Herald. 'Kiberd's narrative is so engagingly written that he ... Read morecarries the reader along with him, especially in the literary analysis, which is executed with characteristic bravura and verve ... Magisterial' TLS. 'A major contribution indispensable to contemporary Irish writing' Michael D. Higgins. 'We are indebted to Kiberd for a fascinating exploration of Irish writing read against a palette of socio-political ideas and sometimes surprising insights that connect the work of a disparate selection of authors' Books Ireland. 'A bravura survey of how post-war Irish writers have witnessed the frustration of the promise of Irish independence' Tablet. 'Kiberd is one of the foremost Irish historians of our times, so it's a pleasure to see him throw himself headlong into an examination of the ways in which post-war Irish writers have dealt with Irish statehood ... A more academic choice than some on this list, perhaps, but no less worthy or illuminating for all that' Sunday Business Post. 'What makes After Ireland such a thoroughly engaging read is Kiberd's enthusiasm for each writer's work he is appraising: most notably in his brilliant dissection of what I would term the grade-A wordsmiths' Irish Independent. 'Clearly the work of both a major intellectual and a sincere patriot who cares deeply about his country' Sunday Business Post. 'A perceptive, capacious account of life and letters since 1945' John Kerrigan's Book of the Year, TLS. Show Less