“No one would notice the publication of Ulysses if it were published tomorrow” – John Banville

Interview

The novelist reflects on life and death, woke culture, and “craft” and “art” novels and wonders if anyone will buy his new book. Booker Prize winner also questions emergence of youth vote for Sinn Féin

Someone is sitting in John Banville’s place. The famous novelist, Booker laureate and Nobel hopeful (or hopeless, more on this anon) has to settle for the table next to his usual spot, when we meet at Dunne & Crescenzi on South Frederick Street in Dublin, a busy Friday afternoon. He’s been frequenting this upscale Italian for years, and gets winks from a member of staff, or a regular, who seems to know him. …