I don’t normally do this R.I.P thing, but really sorry to hear that one of my go-to writers – William Trevor – has died. He was 88, had a good life and wrote some truly memorable novels, a huge amount of short stories so not a wasted life or one cut short, but still quite sad to hear about this. He was one of those writers who made every sentence count and wrote unfashionably short novels (Jim Naughtie, when chairman of the Booker panel cited the fact that his last novel – Love and Summer – was slight at just over 200 pages as being one reason why it never won. What a twit). There are so many great novels to choose from, my favourites are the ones that centred on Irish country life and Anglo-Irish history; Fools of Fortune, The Silence in the Garden and Love & Summer. He was classified as an Irish writer, but seas equally at home writing about life in seaside resorts, boarding houses and Italian pensioni. He also had a knack for writing about creepiness and the unpleasantness in life in a sensitive, but never in a garish or sensationalist manner. He was a lovely writer, never boring, and I shall enjoy going back over his books.
Bye bye William Trevor, and thanks.
During my mercifully brief (for students and myself) time as an assistant professor of literature, I used to teach ‘Mrs. Silly’. Still one of the most powerful short stories I’ve ever read.
Yes, me too. Such a wonderful writer, who measured every word. Fools of Fortune, Felicia’s Journey and Lucy Gaunt all favourites of mine. Just heard an interview he gave a few years back suggesting that maybe it was easier for his generation of Irish writers than his English peers because they didn’t have the shadow of Dickens, Thackeray et al looming over them. If he’s right, then it’ll be hard for the next generation in Ireland, having to follow his brilliance.
We can never be sure what work will outlast its own time and what not, but I think Trevor is forever. RIP
One of the few literary ‘brands’ worth the bother: an astonishing short story writer and wonderful novelist. His books – like those of near-contemporary John McGahern – were exemplars of observation and brevity which never left you fidgeting and begging for the end. 88’s a grand old age, too. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Yep, well said.
I’d like to think Trevor would be very amused to be known as a literary brand given his mercifully brief career in advertising.
I have friends in publishing – very well-read, despite their backgrounds in marketing – who are equally amused at the idea of branding literary fiction. Don’t we all have a mental picture of the socio-economic profile of Ian McEwan fans, though? 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I hadn’t seen that Trevor had died. Fine writer.
I loved Felicia’s journey. Great book.
I’ve always been a fan of William Trevor’s writing, especially his early novels and early short stories. The likes of The Boarding House, The Children Of Dynmouth and The Old Boys are amongst favourites, and also The Story Of Lucy Gault from his later work. Sad news indeed, but he leaves behind him a great legacy of quality writing.