John Banville: ‘David Simon called me a f**khead on Twitter. Why would he bother?’
John Banville on his relief that his children did not follow him into writing, being insulted by the creator of The Wire and the decline of the Booker Prize
Author John Banville at the East Pier in Howth, Co Dublin. Photo by Frank McGrath
John Meagher
He may be regarded as one of the greatest living writers, a prose stylist of global renown, but John Banville hates reading his own work. “All I can see,” he says, “are the flaws, the mistakes. I can’t bear it — it makes me sick.”
Latest Books
A murder mystery on archaeologically significant land and a race to prevent terror attacks in London of the near future
You Must Read This: Michael Magee on being swept away by the unforgettable Anna Karenina
Is Ireland Neutral? by Conor Gallagher: Why our fabled neutrality comes with many sides
‘The bog is a mirror under the ground’: Colm Tóibín on the power of peatlands
Blindboy Boatclub: why the podcaster has a bestseller in the bag
Ten books to help dyslexic children grow into confident readers
Nick Drake: The Life by Richard Morton Jack shows us the man behind the myth
The best summer reads – chosen by holiday type
-
Crime novelist Jo Nesbø: Have I experienced addiction? Yes
-
From silents to boomers to millennials to polars – a fascinating exploration of the generation game
Top Stories
‘If I can do it, you can too’ – Olivia Creaney on why she refused to back down after crime boss’ attack left her blind
Philly McMahon: Proposed kick-out rule will create most artificial sport on planet – what a s**t game that will be
Well-known journalist Ken Whelan has died, aged 71
Cartel in crisis: Kinahans may face Eddie Hutch murder charges and extradition to US could be on the cards
Latest NewsMore
Fox cub with litter stuck around its neck for three weeks rescued by RSPCA
Mixed Ukrainian progress reported in recent fighting against Russian invaders
League of Ireland Review - Daniel McDonnell and Aidan Fitzmaurice discuss the final round of fixtures before the mid-season break
CCTV footage show man setting fire to prison lobby in the US
Mum of Hutch relative Christopher Coakley made ‘great efforts’ to keep him out of trouble
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston announces break from acting for a year
Damien Duff says exciting times are ahead after Shels takeover and reveals one ‘big player’ is set for new deal
Stephen Bradley: ‘I really think we can go through the levels after the break’
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz hits one one of tennis’ greatest shots as Djokovic marches into French Open final
Four children, including an 11-month-old baby, have been found alive in Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash
