Edna O'Brien chose John Ryan's memoirs as her Observer Book of the Year in 1975, describing it as a fine and loving account of literary Dublin in the golden fifties', which purrs with life and anecdote'. This classic evocation of the period 1945-55 celebrates a city and its personalities-Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh, Myles na gCopaleen (Flann O'Brien), as well as Pope' O'Mahony, Gainor Crist the original Ginger Man, and others-a remarkable group who were to revitalize post-war literature in Ireland. As friend, publisher and fellow artist, Ryan paints a vivid picture of this ebullient, fertile milieu: No more singular body of characters will ever rub shoulders again at any given time, or a city more uniquely bizarre than literary Dublin will ever be seen.
