Maeve Brennan

On staff at the New Yorker for more than twenty years, an author who immigrated from Ireland at age seventeeen shares some of the classic short stories published during her tenure at the magazine

Stories of Dublin

The Springs of Affection

I enjoyed the autobiographical stories in the first third of the book but found the rest difficult to read. The stories about Rose and Hubert were depressing, and some were far too long for me to properly enjoy. Didn't enjoy the ones about Bagots. I liked the titular story for its more nuanced insight into familial dynamics, particularly between siblings and in-laws, the tensions were well captured and relatable. Overall, an okay read, her prose is definitely promising so looking forward to reading her NY 'long-winded lady' columns.

The Springs of Affection Stories of Dublin

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