ICON LOSS
‘Fearless teller of truths’ – Edna O’Brien sadly dies as tributes paid to ‘one of the greatest writers of modern times’
She died yesterday in London after a long illness
TRIBUTES have been paid to acclaimed Irish author Edna O’Brien following her death, aged 93.
She died yesterday in London after a long illness.
1
A statement from her literary agent and publisher, Faber read: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends, in particular her sons Marcus and Carlo. The family has requested privacy at this time."
Paying tribute to the Co Clare native, President Michael D Higgins expressed his "great sorrow" at the passing of "one of the outstanding writers of modern times".
He said: “It is with great sorrow that I have heard of the passing of a dear friend of Sabina’s and mine, Edna O’Brien.
"Enda O’Brien has been one of the outstanding writers of modern times, her work has been sought as model all around the world.
"Edna was a fearless teller of truths, a superb writer possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed.
"Through that deeply insightful work, rich in humanity, Edna O’Brien was one of the first writers to provide a true voice to the experiences of women in Ireland in their different generations and played an important role in transforming the status of women across Irish society.
"While the beauty of her work was immediately recognised abroad, it is important to remember the hostile reaction it provoked among those who wished for the lived experience of women to remain far from the world of Irish literature, with her books shamefully banned upon their early publication.
"Thankfully Edna O’Brien’s work is now recognised for the superb works of art which they are. As President of Ireland, I was delighted to present Edna with the Torc of the Saoi of Aosdána in 2015, and with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Her election as Saoi, chosen by her fellow artists, was the ultimate expression of the esteem in which her work is held.
Most read in the Irish Sun
"That work will continue to celebrate the full freedom that a writer must have, the risks and contradictions of circumstance, the release into beauty that imagination makes possible.
Irish President Michael D Higgins votes in local and European elections.mp4
"May I express my deepest condolences to Edna’s children Carlo and Sasha, to her family and friends, to her follow members of Aosdána, and to all those who love her work across the world.”
Her agent, Faber, added that Ms O’Brien was “one of the greatest writers of our age”.
A statement read: “She revolutionised Irish literature, capturing the lives of women and the complexities of the human condition in prose that was luminous and spare, and which had a profound influence on so many writers who followed her.
“A defiant and courageous spirit, Edna constantly strove to break new artistic ground, to write truthfully, from a place of deep feeling. The vitality of her prose was a mirror of her zest for life: she was the very best company, kind, generous, mischievous, brave.
'Dear friend"
“Edna was a dear friend to us all, and we will miss her dreadfully. It is Faber’s huge privilege to publish her, and her bold and brilliant body of work lives on.”
The author was born in Tuamgraney in December 1930 and would go on to write more than 20 novels.
She received acclaim from her publication, The Country Girls in 1960.
She also wrote a number of biographies, plays, screenplays and a memoir.
Her portrayal of female sexuality in some of her novels proved controversial for Ireland during the 1950s.
Icon lost
Taoiseach Simon Harris said "Ireland has lost an icon" as he remembered the "brave, gifted, dignified and magnetic person" she was.
He said: "She wrote her debut novel The Country Girls in just three weeks. Sixty-four years on it is not only a remarkable piece of work but still a landmark moment for Irish women and society.
"The book would be banned and burned but Edna O’Brien would never be silenced.
"Most people would have stopped and hidden away from the misogyny she faced, but Edna O’Brien kept working on her artistry and became one of modern Ireland’s most celebrated and honoured writers."
Thoughts with family
He also offered his condolences to Edna's family.
The Fine Gael leader said: "To her family, especially her children Carlo and Sasha, as well as her legions of fans I want to express my heartfelt condolences as Taoiseach on the passing of such a special person.
Read More on The US Sun
"Edna said that her writing was her breathing and in recent years while promoting her novel Girl she told interviewer: 'I want to go out as someone who spoke the truth.'
"To say Edna O’Brien achieved this and so much more is the understatement of the century."