BookPalaver: All Names Have Been Changed

Perhaps the only writer I've blogged about more often than Sebastian Barry is Claire Kilroy.  Claire's new book, All Names Have Been Changed was released today -- but only in Europe.  Here's the description from amazon:

Set in the Dublin of the mid 1980s - gripped by a heroin epidemic and light years from the post EU economic boom of today - "All Names Have Been Changed" tells the story of a small group of mature students on a writing course at Trinity, who become dangerously obsessed with their tutor, a notorious writer. Brilliantly exploring the shifting group dynamic, as events spiral ever further out of control, this is a novel of considerable verve and ambition. Following earlier forays into the worlds of art restoration and classical music, it is further evidence of a writer with a natural gift for narrative and atmosphere.

My sister, mysterywriter, attended Trinity College with Claire, where they both received M. Phils in creative writing.  No word yet on whether mysterywriter figures in the new book; I'll keep my eyes peeled for a mysterious American student with a keen eye for detail and a penchant for Irishmen in finance.

Catherine Heaney gave the book a rave review in the Irish Times, stating that "All Names Have Been Changed marks out Claire Kilroy as a novelist growing in confidence and hitting her artistic stride – gifted, original and more than capable of stepping up to the plate of literary tradition she so brilliantly portrays."  An article in the Irish Tribune says:

She quickly realised the importance of having a community of writers to confer with, firstly through the MPhil, and then through her friendships with fellow novelists Paul Murray, Chris Binchy and John Boyne. It was on an evening out with Murray and Binchy at a Richard Ford reading that she was inspired to write All Names Have Been Changed. "When we went to get our books signed, we were so shy of him. I was really struck by that and it became chapter two of the novel, where the characters go to a reading by Glynn, and they have this feeling that here's a man who had to be treasured. That's when the novel started to take shape.

I did not know Claire is friends with who I can only assume is Paul "An Evening of Long Goodbyes" Murray.  I would be shy of him if I went to get my book signed by him.  Note to self:  Write a post about An Evening of Long Goodbyes.  And note second degree of separation (or is that first?).

Those of us who live in the U.S. can't buy Claire's novel at this time, but if you live in Belfast or London (you know who you are!) check it out at your local bookstore, or order it from amazon.co.uk.  And if you own an American publishing house:  take note!

By the way, when I looked up All Names on amazon.co.uk for the link I provided above, it listed five books that customers also bought, including Sebastian Barry's The Secret Scripture.  It's always nice to see a certain consistency in your literary taste.