Temptation

Description

Dermot Bolger is one of the leading figures on the Irish literary scene. Very influential, amazingly energetic and prolific, popular and extremely well respected. Temptation is his seventh novel. Flamingo published his sixth, Father's Music, in 1997. Dermot writes fast-paced, incredibly readable novels, usually with a thriller element, always about Ireland, more often than not about its Troubles. Temptation is quite different. It is about family life. It describes five days in the lives of Alison, her husband Peadar, and their three children, who are taking their annual holiday on the southeastern coast of Ireland. Each member of the family has his or her own hopes for the holiday and preoccupations about the lives they are briefly leaving behind. The holiday serves as a turning point in their lives, as Alison and Peadar's marriage is put to the test and the vulnerabilities of their children are brought to the fore. Previous novels have always featured a female central character, and Dermot seems to love writing from a female perspective - and very good he is at it too. This new novel takes this strength and makes the most of it. Paciness and great readability are packed in there too.

Dermot Bolger was born in Dublin in 1959. His novels and plays have won many awards, in Ireland and internationally. He has also published several volumes of poetry. Bolger has been a notable and energetic champion of new Irish writers in his capacity as founder-publisher of Raven Arts Press, which he ran until 1992, whereafter he went on to start New Island Books. He is also the editor of the Picador Book of Contemporary Irish Writing, and editor of Finbar's Hotel and Ladies' Night at Finbar's Hotel.

'An addictive read - a will-they-won't-they adultery tale, told fast and furiously. More than confirms his reputation as a master storyteller.' Sunday Express 'A beautifully understated novel whose portrait of a self-doubting woman is handled with rare and sensitive perspicacity.' Daily Mail 'Bolger is a master storyteller...Temptation surely establishes him as one of the major Irish novelists of the past quarter century.' Irish Post