Nuala O'Connor – författare

Named one of the best books of historical fiction by the New York Times

Acclaimed Irish novelist Nuala O’Connor’s bold reimagining of the life of James Joyce’s wife, muse, and the model for Molly Bloom in Ulysses is a “lively and loving paean to the indomitable Nora Barnacle” (Edna O’Brien).

Dublin, 1904. Nora Joseph Barnacle is a twenty-year-old from Galway working as a maid at Finn’s Hotel. She enjoys the liveliness of her adopted city and on June 16—Bloomsday—her life is changed when she meets Dubliner James Joyce, a fateful encounter that turns into a lifelong love. Despite his hesitation to marry, Nora follows Joyce in pursuit of a life beyond Ireland, and they surround themselves with a buoyant group of friends that grows to include Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and Sylvia Beach.

But as their life unfolds, Nora finds herself in conflict between their intense desire for each other and the constant anxiety of living in poverty throughout Europe. She desperately wants literary success for Jim, believing in his singular gift and knowing that he thrives on being the toast of the town, and it eventually provides her with a security long lacking in her life and his work. So even when Jim writes, drinks, and gambles his way to literary acclaim, Nora provides unflinching support and inspiration, but at a cost to her own happiness and that of their children.

With gorgeous and emotionally resonant prose, Nora is a heartfelt portrayal of love, ambition, and the quiet power of an ordinary woman who was, in fact, extraordinary.

''Luminous'' SEBASTIAN BARRY''Incandescent characters and mellifluous prose'' LISA CAREY''Reminiscent of Edith Wharton at her very best'' LIZ NUGENT_________The true story of a woman ahead of her time . . . In 1887, Isabel Bilton is the eldest of three daughters of a middle-class military family, growing up in a small garrison town. By 1891 she is the Countess of Clancarty, dubbed "the peasant countess" by the press, and a member of the Irish aristocracy. Becoming Belle is the story of the four years in between, of Belle''s rapid ascent and the people that tried to tear her down. Reimagined by a novelist at the height of her powers, Belle is an unforgettable woman. Set against an absorbing portrait of Victorian London, hers is a timeless rags-to-riches story a la Becky Sharpe._________Praise for BECOMING BELLE''Nuala O''Connor has the thrilling ability to step back nimbly and enter the deep dance of time. This is a hidden history laid luminously before us of an exultant Anglo-Irish woman navigating the dark shoals and the bright fields of a life'' SEBASTIAN BARRY, award-winning author of The Secret Scripture and Days Without End''Becoming Belle is so mesmerizing you will be distraught when it ends.O''Connor has resurrected a fiery, inexorable woman who rewrites the script on a stage supposedly ruled by men. Sensual, witty, daring, and unapologetically forward.'' Lisa Carey, author of The Stolen Child''Belle''s determination to live her life on her own terms and in defiance of her times makes her a fascinating subject'' Irish Central''Masterful storytelling! I was putty in Nuala O''Connor''s hands. She made the unsinkable Belle Bilton and her down-to-earth sister Flo real to me, and brought 1880''s London to my living room. Encore! Encore!'' Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of Mrs. Poe''A glorious novel in which Belle Bilton and 19th century London are brought roaring to life with exquisite period detail'' Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of A Memory of Violets''Thoroughly engrossing and entertaining read'' Liz Nugent''Thrillingly dramatic and achingly moving and profoundly resonant into this present era'' Robert Olen Butler, author of A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain''O''Connor gently unfolds Belle''s tale in a manner that is compelling and disarming. The ambience may be Victorian elegance but the sheer honesty of O''Connor''s writing is sensual, authentic and earthy. A delight!'' Rose Servitova, author of The Longbourn Letters