Edna O’Brien, Country Girl: memoir
Edna O’Brien’s Country Girl is a memoir tracing her life from rural Ireland through exile, motherhood and a literary career. This English-language reissue is listed at 352 pages and offers a literary-life narrative for readers interested in her personal history and writing.
At a glance
- Memoir by Irish author Edna O’Brien, charting her life from a rural Irish childhood through her writing career.
- The listing describes episodes including convent school, elopement, divorce, single motherhood and literary life in London and beyond.
- Customers praise its lyrical writing and detailed childhood passages, while some find the references to well-known figures excessive.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers a broad personal and literary journey, from childhood in Ireland to public life as a writer.
- Customer feedback specifically praises the evocative prose and detailed account of O’Brien’s childhood.
Cons
- Some customer feedback considers the name-dropping excessive.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Faber & Faber |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 6 Jun. 2013 |
| Edition | Main - Re-issue |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0571269443 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0571269440 |
| Weight listed | 272 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.5 x 20 cm |
What to know before buying
- The listing describes O’Brien’s life story and its key episodes. Customer responses to the subject matter vary, and some readers may find its references to prominent acquaintances overdone.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers seeking Edna O’Brien’s memoir and personal account of her life as a writer.
- Readers interested in Irish literary lives, childhood recollections and memoir-style narrative.
Less suited to
- Readers who prefer memoirs with few references to prominent acquaintances.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
41% 41% - 4 stars
24% 24% - 3 stars
23% 23% - 2 stars
6% 6% - 1 star
6% 6%
Customer feedback describes the memoir as a fascinating, lyrical read and praises its account of O’Brien’s life, particularly her childhood in County Clare. Readers also respond positively to the narrative, while opinions on the subject matter vary and some find its name-dropping excessive. For readers seeking a broad account of an author’s life, those references are part of the book’s social and literary setting, but may distract from the personal story. Aggregate ratings are mixed overall, so the reported enthusiasm is not universal.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the lyrical, evocative writing and detailed childhood descriptions.
- The narrative and breadth of the life story receive positive feedback.
Negative themes
- Some customers find the name-dropping excessive.
Mixed feedback
- Feedback on the subject matter is mixed, with customers differing in their response to the author’s unflinching account.
Frequently asked questions
What is Country Girl about?
The listing presents it as Edna O’Brien’s memoir, following her from rural Ireland through family life, exile and her literary career.
How long is this edition?
The listing gives a print length of 352 pages.
What do customers say about the writing?
Feedback highlights lyrical, evocative writing and detailed childhood passages. Some readers find the name-dropping excessive, and reactions to the subject matter are mixed.
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