Dark Lies the Island

The most exciting Irish short story writer of his generation, one whose best work rivals William Trevor and John McGahern. His language is thrilling: Barry has a Martin Amis-style aversion to writing so much as one dull sentence. Talent this raw and natural simply cannot be taught.

John Burns, Sunday Times

Extraordinary...affecting and memorable

Robert Collins, Sunday Times

A rhythmic, rural Hiberno-English onslaught, which forces black humour into the bleakest of corners

Ruth Gilligan, TLS

Ireland's must-read literary author

Sunday Business Post Magazine

Wonderfully, restlessly alive

The Times

When I read the first of these short stories, I could immediately see there was something special about this writer... Funny and beautifully observed...

William Leith, Evening Standard

Barry is undoubtedly acquainted with the darker side of existence and unafraid to depict it with humour and great humanity

John Harding, Daily Mail

This vividly told collection of short stories spans love, cruelty and desperation

The Times

Many consider to be one of the best authors currently in the UK. This collection of short stories shows British penchant for the sublime and the ridiculous at its best

Monocle

Like a spade to the face... There is a vividness to his writing that plants you immediately at its heart

Chris Power, Guardian

Lingers like the best kind of novel

Metro

A shot of joy in the dark

Financial Times

Skilfully crafted

Henry Krempels, Observer

Barry’s best stories combine playful irony with high emotion

Emma Hagestadt, Independent

Kevin Barry…isn’t sparing with his powers. Even his throwaway lines are keepers… But what makes this book such a satisfying read is that his memorable sentence-writing is in the service of well-constructed, moving stories

Susannah Meadows, New York Times