Madam, - As an American-born author living seven years in Cork, I have read a lot of literary reviews in my day. I think it is about time someone registered the highest praise for your literary critic Eileen Battersby. I assume many of Ireland's finest writers cannot easily do this, owing to potential conflicts of interest. I don't have that problem, since Ms Battersby has never reviewed one of my books.
The thoughtful questioning with which she layered her piece on the award of the Man Booker Prize was an intellectual joy to behold ( The Irish Times, October 17th). Every other newspaper was primed to run a vapid "Win One for Ireland" analysis, as if the point was some kind of national vindication on a sporting pitch. It was not. It regarded the issue of who best defines the human condition now and who should be draped in laurels for this highest of pursuits. These are issues worth caring about. It has become clear to me that Anne Enright is a sagacious enough writer to appreciate herself the points Ms Battersby was trying to make.
Eileen Battersby reads at a volume and level of consistent thoughtfulness that impresses me no end.
In my super-sized native country of the US, I don't think there is a single literary critic who surpasses her.
- Yours, etc,
DAVID MONAGAN (Author, Jaywalking With The Irish), Cork.