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Donal Ryan: The Spinning Heart
Dec 3, 2023
Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart, discusses themes of loss, shame, love, and longing in a small Irish town. The podcast explores the collapse of the Celtic Tiger years, the influence of radio shows on the novel, and the importance of diverse voices in literature. They also analyze complex characters, broken relationships, and the author's writing process.
27:41
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Quick takeaways
- The Spinning Heart portrays the impact of the Celtic Tiger 'bust' on individuals and the local community, exploring themes of loss, shame, love, and longing.
- Donal Ryan wrote the monologues in the novel in a concise manner due to time constraints, allowing the characters' voices to flow naturally and expressing the internal thoughts and struggles of the characters.
Deep dives
Overview of The Spinning Heart
The Spinning Heart is a novel that portrays a small Irish town after the collapse of the Celtic Tiger Years. The story is told through 21 monologues, each offering a different perspective and layer of memory from individuals whose lives are interconnected. The central character is Pokey Burke, a businessman builder who flees the town, leaving behind a trail of debt and unpaid bills. The novel explores themes of loss, shame, love, and longing, offering insights into the impact of the recession on individuals and the local community. The book received acclaim and was voted Book of the Decade by readers at the Dublin Book Festival.
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