“Cork Stories delivers a tantalising blend of stories penned by writers from or based in both the city and county of Cork. It stands out by offering a variety of works that delve into pressing modern Irish issues while simultaneously showcasing the sprightly and unique humour Cork is known for.
The first story, Anne O’Leary’s The Cook and the Star, gives us a peek into the making of a Hollywood film in Cork, featuring an old superstar. The star forms an unlikely bond with a Cork woman who cooks his meals. The story unravels as a captivating account of diverse individuals sharing similar regrets.
A sparkling narrative from Danny Denton, A Love Letter in the Midsummer, situates two ageing superheroes, Godzilla and King Kong, in a flat close to Douglas Street as they reckon with dwindling youth and consider their life paths.
On Buxton Hill by Kevin Barry is a heartrending slow burner told by one tenant of a deteriorated house. Despite its hilarity, the tale gradually unveils the terrifying reality of the narrator’s plight, revealing a vulnerable person struggling to deal with his circumstances.
Danielle MacLaughlin’s exquisitely crafted Along the Heron-Studded River addresses the precariousness of mental stability against the backdrop of relentless rural isolation in the 21st century.
In other notable entries, Ciúnas by Fiona Whyte sees a man confront his past horrors when compelled to return to the institution where he was raised; Lost Property by Mary Morrissey delivers a tale of post-recession retribution against a former Celtic Tiger developer’s past misdeeds. Intermingled with these thought-provoking narratives are the reflective stories such as the delightful satire of Black Dog Running by Sean Tanner, and the offbeat magic realism in Marie Gethins’ Noah Should Have Read Comics.
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The book is part of a series of geographically themed collections published by Doire Press (Galway Stories from 2013; and Belfast Stories from 2019). Therefore, the Cork Stories collection etches the very essence of Cork onto its pages, even including a handy map of locations referenced. For short story enthusiasts, whether local to Cork or just curious, this collection is sure to delight.