Literary icon Edna O’Brien experienced many remarkable moments during her 94 years of
life. Although she sadly passed away last year, she left behind an extraordinary legacy.
O’Brien rose to fame in 1960 with her controversial debut novel, The Country Girls. After
moving from Ireland to London, she felt free to write about Ireland’s oppressive society under
the church. The novel tells the story of Baba and her best friend Cait, two young women who
long for more than a life of emotional neglect and intellectual suppression.
The trilogy faced strong backlash in Ireland for its sexual imagery and critique of the nation.
The fact that someone dared to write about women wanting more than what was expected of
them speaks volumes about the state of the country at the time. Minister for Justice Charlie
Haughey declared it “filth” that had no place in “respectable” homes. The book was burned
in O’ Briens own home town in Clare.
After years of tumultuous family relationships and a breakdown of her marriage to a jealous
husband, Edna O’Brien became known for her legendary parties in her London apartment.
Among the star-studded guests who attended these gatherings were Elizabeth Taylor, who
starred in an adaptation of one of her novels, Judy Garland, Michael Caine, and even Marlon
Brando, who was said to have once slept in her kitchen. These parties became a symbol of
O’Brien’s vibrant social life and her ability to attract some of the biggest names in film and
entertainment.
While we now live in a more progressive Ireland, especially for women, it’s important to
reflect on the not-so-distant past. Reading The Country Girls offers a powerful reminder of
how far we’ve come and the struggles faced along the way. With the release of The Blue
Road: The Edna O’Brien Story in cinemas, there’s no better time to celebrate and remember
one of Ireland’s most beloved authors, admired around the world for her courage and
brilliance.
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