Launch date revealed for Laois author’s latest novel
Dr Arthur Broomfield will soon launch 'The Ireland of Snakes and Bollards'
Ballyfin author Dr Arthur Broomfield has announced the official launch date of 'The Ireland of Snakes and Bollards'.
Dr Broomfield is known across Laois for his inventive storytelling, having been a strong figure in the local literary scene since 1984. This is Dr Broomfield's eleventh work to be published, having one novel and several collections of poetry and short stories published over the last two decades.
In this campaign, the philosopher encounters civil servants, broadcasters, farmers, clerics and opportunists of every stripe.
“It’s all coming into place now, we received the books on Friday and are trying to get the launch set up now,” Dr Broomfield told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"I have released books of poetry, but my last novel published was in 1993. I had been reading a lot about the author Thomas Pynchon, and was greatly inspired by his story too," he explained.
"I sat down and began writing my story, I spent from three hours to five hours a day writing. I really enjoyed writing it.
“The reception so far has been fairly good, people who have received advanced copies are all finding it very funny- and a bit crude in places! I’m happy that it has been a good reception so far though,” he said.
Dr Broomfield highlighted that writing for so many hours does not require much discipline, if it is something you truly enjoy.
"My imagination was working on overdrive all the way through it, it was great fun. I would find it more challenging writing poetry, you can struggle with wording. With this novel, the ideas just kept coming and I kept shaping them," he said.
“I’m lucky that in my travels around Ireland selling my previous novel and collections, I’ve built up a good network of people who support my work, they are very good to me. It’s been great,” he said.
The novel looks at the state, the church and media institutions through a satirical lens, from the mad philosopher whose philosophy is revised based on these varying encounters.
The launch will see a conversation between Dr Broomfield and fellow Ballyfin playwright Frances Harney.
‘The Ireland of Snakes and Bollards’ will be launched in Mountmellick library on Tuesday July 7, from 6pm to 7:30pm.