In The Art of Life Paul Durcan takes us around County Mayo in his 'filthy, two-door, bottle-green Opel Astra', stopping off at Westport & Achill Isl&, where he declares himself to be 'globally sad', but 'locally glad'. Next he travels east to Dublin to hold in his arms his newborn granddaughter & thence to Tuscany, Poland & Japan. Along the way he reflects upon parental pride, the aches & pains of old age, the trim bottoms of snooker players, the wisdom of ex-wives & dogs on Sandymount Str&, while introducing us to a host of colourful characters, including a bishop, a roofer, a milkman, a priest & an unmarried mother. Is there an art of living or is life a work of art? This magnificent new collection
- published on Paul Durcan's sixtieth birthday
- reveals one of Ireland's most successful & popular poets at the height of his powers & continuing to challenge, amuse & delight.