Jeanne Smyth

Jeanne Smyth is a retired primary school teacher originally from Longford who has spent most of her adult life in Cork. Among the perks of retirement, she highlights the extra time she now has to pursue her passion for reading. (Disclaimer: Jeanne has not been paid to feature certain novels on her bookshelf more prominently than others. This current arrangement is purely coincidental and by no means an attempt at subliminal advertising on behalf of authors she may or may not be related to.)

What book have you reread more than any other?

Agatha Christie, especially Miss Marple, is the author I reread most often. I love how nothing escapes her shrewd observations of people around her, and how this eventually leads to solving the crime.

What’s the strangest book you’ve ever loved?

The strangest book I ever read, but didn’t love, was Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind.

Who is your favourite contemporary writer?

My favourite contemporary writer at the moment is Elizabeth Strout. Her characters are not perfect but are very relatable and likeable as they negotiate the vagaries of life through memories of childhood, relationships, disappointments and so on. What I like about Elizabeth Strout’s novels is that, while they can be read as standalone novels, some of the characters reappear in her other books. Olive Kitteridge is my favourite character and I was delighted when she and Lucy Barton got together in Tell Me Everything.

What’s your favourite film adaptation of a book?

It’s a toss up between To Kill a Mockingbird and That They May Face the Rising Sun. I loved both novels and the films are very faithful to the original books.

Do you have a favourite poem?

My favourite poem has to be Clearances, by Seamus Heaney. I just love the lines:

When all the others were away at mass

I was all hers . . .

Growing up in a family of four sisters and six brothers, time spent alone with our mother was very precious. This poem evokes memories of those rare and special moments.

What are you reading right now?

I read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans recently and loved it. The main character reminded me of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge – two strong, outspoken women who you would like to be in your corner in an hour of need.

I’ve just begun reading Flashlight by Susan Choi, but it’s too soon to pass judgement!