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Donal Ryan: Unpacking 'Where Are The Kings'
20 Sep
Summary
- Ryan's novel follows a young boy dealing with his mother's death.
- The author has won three Irish Book Awards for Book of the Year.
- His influences include 'Room,' 'Angela's Ashes,' and 'Plainsong'.
Donal Ryan, a celebrated Irish writer, has discussed his latest novel, 'Where Are The Kings.' The book is set in rural Ireland and focuses on a boy named Jack navigating his early adolescence, from ages twelve to fourteen. A central theme is Jack's struggle to cope with the sudden death of his mother, for which he carries a sense of guilt.
Ryan's prolific career includes being named Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards on three separate occasions. He also received the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction in 2025 and has twice been longlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize.
During his discussion, Ryan highlighted three significant literary works that influenced 'Where Are The Kings.' These include Emma Donoghue's 2010 novel 'Room,' which was later adapted into a film. He also cited Frank McCourt's best-selling 1996 memoir 'Angela's Ashes' and Kent Haruf's 1999 novel 'Plainsong' as key inspirations.
