«Gerald Dawe observes in the concluding lines ofDreaming of Homethat the writers he admires most are those who convey a sense of‹the sheer joy in witnessing the world for its own sake.› Those samewords could apply to Dawe himself. His readings of seven writershere – Sean O’Casey, W.B. Yeats, John Montague, Patrick Kavanagh,Derek Mahon, Colette Bryce, and Gail McConnell – are animated asmuch by the sheer joy of reading as by the need to analyse or explain.This is not just a wise book, but a joyous one.»
(Chris Morash, MRIA, FTCD
Seamus Heaney Professor of Irish Writing, TCD)
In this vibrant and accessible sequence of readings, Gerald Dawe explores the meaning of home in the work of Irish writers, including W. B. Yeats, Sean O’Casey, Derek Mahon and Gail McConnell. Providing ample encouragement to think about literary questions in a fresh and engaging way,Dreaming of Homeconcludes with an afterword of praise for the example of the great American poet William Carlos Williams, who mattered greatly to Dawe’s own development as a poet. Scholarly and stylish in approach,Dreaming of Homeis an invaluable study for the general reader and student alike.
