'I left Ireland because I feared it
would not change. But have in latter years been drawn to return
because it hasn't changed.'
Ulster-born Brian Moore became one of Ireland's wild geese
when he followed Wilde, Joyce and Beckett to build his reputation
far from these shores. Moore became one of the few genuine
masters of the contemporary novel - Graham Greene once named
Moore as his favourite living author.
'I always had this in mind if I could only write one book
that would last 50 or 60 years or maybe longer my whole life
would have been worthwhile.'
Moore died in 1999. He had written twenty novels, seen
five of his books filmed, won numerous awards and achieved
three Booker nominations. Most of Moore's books have never
been out of print. His first, The Lonely Passion of
Judith Hearne, is still in print forty years on.
Introduction
