Contemporary Irish Women Poets, Vol. 174 »

ALEXANDER G. GONZALEZ is Professor of English at Cortland College of the State University of New York, where he specializes in Irish literature. He has previously taught at the University of California at Santa Barbara, at Ohio State University, and at Pennsylvania State University, where he was Distinguished Scholar in Residence. His previous books include Modern Irish Writers: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook (1997) and Assessing the Achievement of J. M. Synge (1996), both available from Greenwood Press.

So many male critics have attacked Ireland's contemporary women poets — whether through hostile reviews, outright silence, or condescending praise — that the impression has been created that very few men appreciate these women's poetry. Gonzalez has produced the first book ever to appear in Irish studies in which men make it a point to praise literature written by Irish women. Included are two essays studying the structure of Eavan Boland's poetry sequences, some close readings of Medbh McGuckian's most challenging poems, and the first formal scholarly pieces ever devoted exclusively to Paula Meehan, Rita Ann Higgins, and Mary O'Malley. Additional chapters treat the works of Eilean Ni Chuilleanain and Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill.

Women poets have made substantial contributions to Irish literature, particularly in the last few decades. However, so many male critics have attacked Ireland's women poets, whether through hostile reviews, outright silence, or condescending praise, that the impression has been created that very few men appreciate these women's poetry. With some notable exceptions, most academic appraisals by men have been less than enthusiastic. Many women also point to the treatment these poets receive in various anthologies, which typically include only token portions of literature written by women. In his book, Gonzalez has responded to these slights by offering a forum to a significant number of men to express their highest praise for Ireland's women poets.

Until now, no book has ever appeared in Irish studies in which men make it a point to praise literature written by Irish women. In this book, Gonzalez includes two essays on each of Ireland's best-known women poets, Eavan Boland, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, and Medbh McGuckian. Three other essays are the first formal scholarly pieces entirely dedicated to Paula Meehan, Rita Ann Higgins, or Mary O'Malley. In his pioneering effort, Gonzalez helps establish the place of these contemporary women poets in the Irish literary canon, corrects the popular misconception that male critics are unresponsive to their works, and encourages further exploration of Irish women poets by male scholars and critics.

Booknews

Gonzalez (Irish literature, SUNY) initiated this volume in an effort to encourage more men to join in the critical dialogue on Ireland's contemporary women poets. As he had anticipated, attitudes are changing, and there were numerous responses (Gonzalez also anticipates a day when gender won't be an issue when discussing Irish poets). Here, 11 papers focus on work from Ireland's foremost women poets (Eavan Boland, Medbh McGuckian, Eilean Ni Chuileanain, and Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill) as well as lesser known talent such as Rita Ann Higgins, Paula Meehan, and Mary O'Malley. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)