Writing Slums

"Writing Slums" is a significant scholarly book that examines the slums of Dublin between 1880 and 1920. This period is often regarded as one of the most interesting eras in Irish literature and history. The book highlights the complex relationship between the perceived dirty urban landscape and the literature produced during this time. It offers new socio-historical, cultural, and political insights, challenging the common assumptions about the literary revival as primarily a rural movement. Through the analysis of texts by various authors, the representation of the slums in literature is thoroughly explored. Furthermore, the literary genealogy of W. B. Yeats and James Joyce is re-evaluated within the context of urban literary-historical discourse, illustrating the impact of the slums on their writing strategies. This work is an essential read for scholars and students of Irish literature and cultural history.