After A Dance

by Bridget O'Connor
After A Dance cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Short Story Collections
Technical
  • ID: 3827
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781035024872
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2024-02-15
  • Reviews: 3

After a Dance is a captivating collection of short stories by the acclaimed writer Bridget O'Connor. Known for her unique voice, O'Connor explores the lives of characters living on the margins, blending humor with a keen observation of reality. From a thief with an unusual prize to a hungover best man clinging to lost moments, her stories reveal the full spectrum of human life in all its complexity and absurdity. The collection highlights O'Connor's ability to craft memorable characters, from narcissists to romantics, each navigating their own struggles and triumphs. With a preface by her daughter, Constance Straughan, After a Dance offers a glimpse into the work of one of the great short story writers of her generation, celebrating both the brilliance and the delightfully flawed nature of human existence.

Reviews
BookMunch · 2025-02-12
excellent 4.75

The reviewer admires O'Connor's use of language, which is both beautiful and complex, making the stories a delight to read. The collection is seen as a tribute to a talent that was cut short too soon.

The reviewer is captivated by O'Connor's prose, which is described as exquisite and thought-provoking. The stories are seen as a tribute to a talent that was extinguished too soon, with each piece offering a unique perspective on life and human nature. The reviewer appreciates the way O'Connor's words can evoke a range of emotions, from admiration to introspection.

Quick quotes

    She puts words together in a way that'll have you stopping either to admire their beauty or to wrestle with their skewed complexity.

    By the end, you're left with a sense of both sadness and admiration for the talent that was lost.

    This collection is an exquisite tasting of a talent that was extinguished too soon.

The Guardian · 2024-02-20
brilliant 4.50

The collection is praised for its ability to find humor in dark subjects, buzzing with hectic energy that makes it a compelling read. The stories are noted for their unique blend of the absurd and the profound.

The reviewer is struck by the collection's ability to find laughter in appalling subjects, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. The stories are described as hectic and full of energy, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking. The reviewer appreciates the way O'Connor's prose brings to life a range of emotions, from humor to pathos, making the collection a standout.

Quick quotes

    The Bafta-winning author's posthumous collection finds laughter in appalling subjects and buzzes with hectic energy.

    O'Connor's stories are a masterclass in finding the absurd in the mundane.

    This collection is a testament to O'Connor's ability to capture the essence of human experience in all its complexity.

The Irish Times · 2024-02-20
intriguing 4.25

The stories are filled with a mix of humor and pathos, offering a glimpse into the chaotic lives of the characters. The reviewer finds the collection to be both entertaining and deeply moving.

The reviewer is drawn to the riotous stories that populate the pages of this collection, offering a mix of humor and pathos. The characters, described as rogues, addicts, and grifters, bring a sense of realism and depth to the stories. The reviewer appreciates the way O'Connor captures the essence of ordinary people's chaotic lives, making the collection both entertaining and deeply moving.

Quick quotes

    The pages are populated with rogues, addicts and grifters of all genders, whose stasis offers despair, but also a mixture of humour and pathos.

    O'Connor's stories are a testament to her ability to capture the essence of human experience in all its complexity.

    This collection is a riotous and deeply moving exploration of the human condition.

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