As the Booker prize approaches, I’m making my way through the shortlist. And as much as I’ve enjoyed the likes of Esi Edugyan’s Half-Blood Blues, I can’t help thinking the omission of Sebastian Barry’s On Canaan’s Side was a real mistake. So, in no way making amends, here’s the interview I did with him recently in The National. Loads of topics covered, but I particularly liked what we talked about first – what it is to be an Irish writer. After speaking to and falling in love with (the work of) Colm Toibin and John Banville over the last few years, there must be something in the water…
