The seed of the idea for Irish author Kevin Barry’s latest novel was planted more than 25 years ago. But it wasn’t until late into the pandemic as he was walking in the countryside and had a vision of a young couple on horseback riding double that he decided to write The Heart in Winter. Set in 1890s Montana, the book is a savagely funny and achingly romantic tale of young lovers on the lam. On this week’s episode Michael chats with Kevin about The Heart in Winter and why these days, glamorous sentences are not the most important thing in his writing.

 

Reading list:

City of Bohane, Kevin Barry, 2011

Beatlebone, Kevin Barry, 2015

Night Boat to Tangier, Kevin Barry, 2019

The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry, 2024

 

Underworld, Don DeLillo, 1997

 

You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. 

 

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Guest: Kevin Barry

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