Irish Voices At Marymount
By Dr. Pola Rosen
The Writing Center of Marymount Manhattan College led by Lewis Burke Frumkes initiated its 2008 season of the Clementina Santi Flaherty Irish Voices literary series with Joseph O’Neill, author of Netherland, which was nominated for the Mann Booker prize. O’Neill admitted to the audience that this was his first talk since his book hit the big time, then went on to trace his evolution as a writer. “I was in a difficult spot 10 years ago” he said, “I wanted to write but I didn’t want to give up my secure income, which I earned as a barrister in London. What to do? I went to a psychiatrist for help. This psychiatrist had a reputation as being the foremost expert on “fork-in-the-road problems.” Just the sort of man I needed. At our first meeting the psychiatrist admitted that I had a difficult problem. “What would you really like to do? What would make you most happy?” he asked in earnest. I replied that I really wanted to go to the United States and write. “There you are!” he said, and my problem was over. I moved to the U.S. and started writing. I even fell in love with my editor Sarah Singer and married her. Netherland took me seven years to write, but it was worth every minute.” Appearing modest and sincere O’Neill charmed the audience with his boyish good looks and quick wit and answered their questions as they came up to have books inscribed. Then to a massive applause from the audience Frumkes thanked everyone for coming and said he hoped that everyone would return on October 14th to hear the McCourt Brothers, Frank, Malachy, and Alphie. Last year said director Frumkes it was the women, Edna O’Brien, Nuala O’Faolin, Mary Higgins Clark, and Alice McDermott…This year it is the men. Joseph Caldwell will come in November, and Tony Hendra in December, and next year hinted Frumkes, he and Tina Flaherty are thinking of running an Italian voices series. Frumkes also reminded everyone not to miss the Jack Burstyn Memorial lecture on October 22nd, which will be given by scholar and author Carol Gilligan, and a talk the night before by writer in residence Bruce Jay Friedman. For more information on events and courses call 212-774-4810.#
