“Ulysses” by James Joyce follows one day in the life of Leopold Bloom as he moves through Dublin on June 16, 1904. The book mirrors Homer’s “Odyssey,” with characters and events reflecting the ancient epic.
Bloom encounters a series of everyday experiences, other characters, and inner thoughts that reveal his struggles, memories, and relationships. The city itself feels alive, with its streets, pubs, and landmarks woven into the story.
“Strumpet City” by James Plunkett is a story about life in Dublin during the early 20th century, focusing on the struggles of working-class people during the 1913 Lockout.
The book follows several characters, including a priest, a trade unionist, and a servant, as they navigate the harsh realities of poverty, injustice, and social change. It paints a vivid picture of the city’s streets, tenements, and people during a time of upheaval.
The novel “At Swim, Two Boys” by Jamie O’Neill is set in Dublin during the year leading up to the 1916 Easter Rising.
It follows two teenage boys, Jim Mack and Doyler Doyle, as they navigate their friendship, budding feelings for each other, and personal struggles against the backdrop of political unrest.
The story explores loyalty, love, and the search for identity while weaving in the atmosphere of a city on the brink of revolution.
James Joyce wrote “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” which follows Stephen Dedalus as he grows up in Dublin. The story explores his childhood, school days, and his struggles with religion, family, and identity.
Stephen’s experiences shape his decision to leave Ireland and embrace a life devoted to art and personal freedom. The novel paints a vivid picture of Dublin life through Stephen’s eyes, showing the tensions of the time.
“Dublin: Foundation” by Edward Rutherfurd traces the history of Dublin from ancient times through generations of families. The story begins in pagan Ireland, introducing characters tied to tribal conflicts and the origins of the city.
As the centuries unfold, it follows lives shaped by significant events like the arrival of Christianity and Viking invasions. The novel blends personal dramas with historical moments, showing the evolution of Dublin over time.
The novel “Faithful Place” by Tana French follows Frank Mackey, a detective in Dublin, as he returns to his old neighborhood after a suitcase is found in an abandoned house. The suitcase belonged to his first love, Rosie Daly, who disappeared years ago.
Frank had always believed she left him behind for a new life, but the discovery brings back buried pain and leads him to uncover secrets about his family and the life he thought he knew.
The story dives deep into Frank’s complicated ties to his past, as he struggles to face truths he tried to leave behind.
The novel “At Swim-Two-Birds” by Flann O’Brien is a playful and unusual story. It follows a college student in Dublin who writes a novel within the novel, filled with characters that rebel against their author.
The book blends layers of storytelling, folklore, and humor in a way that feels both chaotic and sharp. It’s easy to get lost in its unpredictable twists and larger-than-life personalities.
J. P. Donleavy wrote “The Ginger Man,” a novel about Sebastian Dangerfield, an American student living in Dublin after World War II. He spends his days stumbling through chaotic adventures, sinking into debt, and navigating turbulent relationships.
The story mixes humor and mischief with a touch of chaos while painting a vivid picture of Dublin in the 1950s.
“Normal People” by Sally Rooney follows the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell, two young people from a small Irish town who navigate love, identity, and class differences as they move to Dublin for university.
Their connection evolves over the years, as they drift apart and come back together, shaped by their personal struggles and the shifting dynamics of their lives.
The story brings Dublin to life in a way that feels both intimate and familiar, with its cafes, student parties, and moments of quiet reflection in the city.
Tana French wrote “The Secret Place,” a murder mystery set in a Dublin boarding school. The story follows Detective Stephen Moran as he investigates the death of a teenage boy after a student uncovers a clue on a school bulletin board.
The novel switches between the investigations in the present and the events leading up to the murder, revealing hidden rivalries and secrets among the students.
“The Blackwater Lightship” by Colm Tóibín tells the story of three generations of women in a fractured Irish family coming together as they care for a dying son and brother.
Set in a house overlooking the sea near Dublin, the novel explores their uneasy relationships and the emotional wounds they try to mend while confronting loss.
“Charlie Savage” by Roddy Doyle is a collection of short, humorous episodes narrated by Charlie, a sixty-something Dubliner.
Through his witty and self-deprecating voice, Charlie reflects on modern life, family, aging, and societal changes, while offering small glimpses into his daily routines and relationships. The book captures the essence of Dublin with charm and authenticity.
The third book in Roddy Doyle’s “The Last Roundup” trilogy, “The Dead Republic,” follows the life of Henry Smart, a former IRA man.
Henry becomes tangled with a Hollywood director who wants to turn his life into a patriotic film, but reality clashes with the idealized version of Irish history.
The story later shifts to Henry’s return to Ireland, where he grapples with a changing nation and his own fading relevance.
“The Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor” by Flann O’Brien is a darkly comic tale about two orphaned brothers, Manus and Finbarr, who navigate a peculiar life in Dublin under the shadow of their pedantic guardian, Mr. Collopy.
The story centers on their day-to-day experiences, including Manus’s attempts to rise in society and an absurd venture involving Mr. Collopy’s obsession with reforming the Vatican’s stance on women. The book captures Dublin’s atmosphere with sharp wit and biting humor.
The book “The House by the Churchyard” by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a Gothic tale set in the village of Chapelizod near Dublin. It begins with the discovery of a skull in a churchyard, which sets off a story filled with secrets, strange characters, and eerie events.
The novel weaves together a mix of mystery and the supernatural, with dark twists that unfold in 18th-century Dublin.
“The Informer” by Liam O’Flaherty is set in 1920s Dublin, focusing on Gypo Nolan, a former member of the Irish Republican Army. Gypo betrays a friend to the police for money, leading to guilt and paranoia as his actions spark a series of events that spiral out of control.
The Dublin streets are grim and tense, reflecting the political turmoil of the time.
The novel “The Pull of the Stars” by Emma Donoghue takes place in a Dublin hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. It follows a young nurse named Julia Power, who works in a maternity ward for expectant mothers infected with the flu.
Over a few intense days, Julia forms connections with her patients, a new volunteer named Bridie, and a troubled doctor. The story captures the human struggles and fleeting moments of hope against the backdrop of a devastating health crisis.
Anne Enright wrote “The Gathering,” a story about a large Irish family coming together after the death of one of the siblings, Liam. The novel focuses on Veronica, Liam’s sister, as she reflects on their shared past and investigates a traumatic event that shaped their lives.
Set in Dublin, it paints a raw and emotional portrait of memory, family ties, and secrets.