Paddy Brennan

Consumption and Self-Starvation in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Irish Fiction.

Research Interests

Paddy’s research looks at the literary significance of food, its consumption and its rejection in Irish fiction. Spanning from the mid-twentieth century up until the present day, it encompasses a diverse range of authors including Edna O’Brien, John McGahern, Sally Rooney and Niamh Campbell. This research charts how Irish attitudes towards eating and self-starvation alter as Ireland itself transitions from a prevailing culture of Catholic self-denial to being a modern, secular state where conspicuous consumption is rife.

Research Funding

Institute of Irish Studies

p.j.brennan@liverpool.ac.uk