The Map Of Tenderness
Published on 17. February 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-340-82214-2 (ISBN)
Description
Joe Lyons has never had much success with relationships until he meets Suzie, a young music teacher. Living a solitary existence as a writer, he's alienated his mother with his autobiographical first novel and has little to say to his stridently religious sister, Mary. Only his father keeps in regular touch. But now, in the warmth of this new love, the happy endings finally seem to outnumber the tragedies. So when news comes that his mother is seriously ill, he returns home, but what he finds there shocks him out of his complacency and Joe, like his father, comes to understand the true nature of love.
Reviews / Votes
A dark and sensuous stylist ... He really is shaping up to be among the very best of the almost overabundant crop of Irish literary production during the last decade. * Desmond Traynor, Irish Independent * Eloquent and haunting * Doug Johnstone, List * The novel works on many levels. As an examination of the tangled skeins of family allegiance, it is clear-headed to the point of ruthlessness. In its dissection of a fatal illness, it is both rigorous and humane. But it is the power and subtlety of the writing which sets The Map of Tenderness apart . . . With a few deft strokes, he can paint a picture of heart-stopping vividness * Arminta Wallace, Irish Times * Engages richly and rather profoundly with love, death and life. * James Smart, Sunday Herald * A moving portrait of a family, of discovery, and having the courage to believe in other people. * Anne-Marie Flanagan, Irish World * Moving [and] lyrical * Sunday Independent * The Map of Tenderness is a captivating story . . . the author is an Irish poet and it shows in his beautiful prose. It wraps you up as gently as a snowdrift. * Michael Dobbs, author of Winston's War *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hodder & Stoughton
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
none
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
208 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-340-82214-2 (9780340822142)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
William Wall is an award winning poet and short story writer, and the author of several works of fiction for children, whose first adult novel, ALICE FALLING, was published by Sceptre in 2000. His work has appeared in The Irish Times, New Irish Writing and has been broadcast on radio on RTE. He is married with two children and lives in Co. Cork, Ireland.