Tag Archives: John Banville

The Silver Swan, by Benjamin Black

Posted on July 11, 2010 by sheila

Quirke, a bulky lonely pathologist at the Hospital of the Holy Family in 1950’s Dublin, aches for a drink. Evenings stretch out before him endlessly, his nose twitches at the scent of cigars or perfume, due to their automatic sensoral … Continue reading →

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“What You Get With Banville Is the Result Of Concentration. What You Get With Black Is the Result Of Spontaneity.”

Posted on April 10, 2010 by sheila

Yet another great article about John Banville and his alter ego Benjamin Black. I just can’t get enough of this guy, and I am especially taken by when he discusses his alter ego (and himself) in the third person. “Banville … Continue reading →

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“My Goodness, These Are Very Deep Questions You’€™re Asking Me. Why Don’€™t You Ask Me What My Favorite Color Is, Or My Favorite Pop Group?”

Posted on February 26, 2010 by sheila

Wonderful thoughtful interview with John Banville about his new book The Infinities. I would listen to him talk about his favorite pop group, for sure. I would listen to him tell me his grocery list. If you go back through … Continue reading →

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“We Don’t Know Anything About Other People. We Can Only Know Them From the Outside. This Is One Of the Great Joys Of Life.”

Posted on September 10, 2009 by sheila

So says Irish writer John Banville in this awesome recent interview about his new book that has set my mind spinning. There’s so much in it. So much to think about. There are only a couple of writers today where … Continue reading →

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A.S. Byatt’s New Book

Posted on June 3, 2009 by sheila

She’s got a new giant novel coming out: The Children’s Book. it’s been a while for her – recently it’s been mainly short stories – and I am beyond excited. Now that I hear what it’s about, I am even … Continue reading →

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Inhaling Christine Falls, by John Banville

Posted on December 11, 2008 by sheila

Stranded in O’Hare for 10 straight hours. I read the entirety of Christine Falls that day. So I may have been sitting in an airport chair by my thwarted gate of departure, but I was really wandering through the misty … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Benjamin Black

Posted on December 9, 2008 by sheila

I cannot get enough of the John Banville / Benjamin Black thing. It makes me think of my father. Banville is one of his favorite writers. He turned me on to him. Here is Part 1 of a 4-part interview … Continue reading →

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John Banville’s Alter Ego

Posted on July 29, 2008 by sheila

Amazing interview with John Banville in The Washington Post. Banville fans know him well (he has passionate fans), and know that he also has been having a sort of catharsis – writing crime-noir books under the name Benjamin Black. Meanwhile, … Continue reading →

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The Sea, by John Banville

Posted on April 8, 2008 by sheila

Another excerpt from The Sea, by John Banville. I am beginning to realize the essential bleakness at the heart of the book. I think I resisted it, although it was apparent that it would not be a laugh-riot. This is … Continue reading →

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The Sea, by John Banville

Posted on April 7, 2008 by sheila

It was difficult to decide what to read after the sweeping majesty and horror of Blood Meridian: – but I decided to pick up The Sea, by the great John Banville. It won the Booker, causing much brou-haha in literary … Continue reading →

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