Skip to content

Strumpet City

 13.00

by James Plunkett

‘Many studies have been written about the quest for the Great American Novel. Anyone seeking its Irish equivalent need search no further.’ –Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times

‘If there is one novel that bares the soul of Dublin as much as the life-in-one-day of Ulysses, it is James Plunkett’s Strumpet City’ –Donal O’Donoghue RTE Guide. 30 March 2013

‘Dublin City Libraries has chosen the masterpiece as its One City, One Book for 2013. Epic.’ –Joe Duffy The Irish Mail on Sunday 24 March 2013

Strumpet City

This new edition of the epic Strumpet City marks the centenary of the 1913 Lockout. It has been chosen as Dublin City Libraries’ One City, One Book for 2013. First published in 1969, it has repeatedly been described as one of the greatest Irish novels of all time. Centring on the seminal lockout of 20,000 workers in Dublin in 1913, Strumpet City encompasses a wide sweep of city life. From the destitution of Rashers Tierney to the solid, aspirant respectability of Fitz and Mary, the priestly life of Father O’Connor, and the upper-class world of Yearling and the Bradshaws, it paints a portrait of a city of stark contrasts, with an urban working class mired in vicious poverty.

Strumpet City is much more than a book about the Lockout. Through the power of vivid fiction we encounter all the complexities of humanity. The brilliant and much-loved TV series, originally screened by RTE in 1980, is fondly remembered by many but to read the book is to immerse yourself in social and historical writing akin to Chekhov and Tolstoy. Strumpet City is the great, sweeping Irish historical novel of the 20th century.

About the Author

James Plunkett Kelly, or James Plunkett, was an Irish writer. He was educated at Synge Street CBS. Plunkett grew up among the Dublin working class and they, along with the petty bourgeoisie and lower intelligentsia, make up the bulk of the dramatis personae of his oeuvre.

The LitVox Bookshop

Our bookshop’s range grows by the day. Moreover, we pride ourselves on being able to track down and obtain any book our customers want. Our recommendations service is open for all to use. If we recommend books to you through this service, we’ll be able gather up those books and send them to you no matter where you are in the world. If you’re buying your books as a gift, we can gift-wrap them in a lovely bundle and send them wherever in the world you wish! We can even hand-write your greetings card with your personal message.

Remember that if you’re buying books as a gift, we also offer a wide-range of book prints, gifts and greetings cards for readers of all ages! Check out our print studio and gift-shop today. If you have any special requests for your order or need further gift inspiration, just contact our team at hello@litvox.mystagingwebsite.com, we’re ready and waiting to help!

Weight 0.3 kg
Dimensions 12.8 × 2.6 × 19.7 cm

You may also like…

  • A Single Thread

     12.00