This week Cammy Harley, Bantry Bookshop’s new proprietor, is delving into the King of Horror, Stephen King. 

‘Love him or hate him, no-one can deny that Stephen King is an incredible  storyteller and world-builder. Although not a fan of horror, I believe I have still read almost every novel he has written. I scarred myself in my teens with Pet Cemetery and The Shining!’

‘On the other hand, Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are two of the most masterful film adaptations of books of all time. I have always loved writing and Stephen’s On Writing, published 25 years ago and still going strong, has been a staple for aspiring authors for years, so it was with great interest that I discovered Bazaar of Bad Dreams (published in 2015) which I am currently devouring.

‘It is a collection of 18 short stories and two poems (one including Stephen’s own grocery shopping list) but in his true style, each story has solid characters that would carry any story, even one without the supernatural glint to it. What I love most about it is that each story is prefaced with an introduction which tells a bit about where he got the idea for the story, and what the inspiration behind it was. I find that almost as fascinating as the story
itself.

‘Writers say that they are always asked where they get their ideas from and it seems to be the most popular question they are asked. Bazaar of Bad Dreams answers that question, as Stephen explains exactly where he was and what he was doing when the idea came to him.

‘It is fascinating to read the story then, and see how he crafted it from the idea incident, onto a short story on the page.’

Over in Bandon, Hilary O’Farrell is reading a very-recently published book, Ninety-nine words for rain (and one for sun) by Manchán Magan.

‘Manchán has done it again. When he wrote thirty two words for fields, back in 2020, it launched a revival of the Irish language. It created a buzz around the meaning of Irish words, phrases and how beautiful and poetic our language is.

‘Ninety nine words for rain and one for sun is what is says it is, a book with 99 words and phrases describing rain and the different levels of rain, the intensity, the ferocity, the duration… and then quite simply the one word for sun “an ghrian”’

‘It’s a beautifully illustrated book. He discovered the artist, Megan Luddy, online and approached her about illustrating his new book, and she has risen to the challenge.

‘Through his writing, Manchán brings the reader on a journey through Irish weather, this country’s favourite topic of conversation.

‘It’s the kind of book you can pick up and read a few pages, or sit with one of your kids or grandkids and discuss a few phrases.’