{"title":"Jan Carson Collection","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 8\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJAN CARSON \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eis a writer and community arts facilitator based in Belfast. Her first novel, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMalcolm Orange Disappears\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, was published in 2014 to critical acclaim, followed by a short-story collection, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChildren's Children \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(2016), and two flash fiction anthologies, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePostcard Stories \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(2017) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePostcard Stories 2 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(2020). Her second novel, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Fire Starters \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(2019), won the EU Prize for Literature and was shortlisted for the Dalkey Novel of the Year Award and her third novel, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Raptures \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(2022) was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards’ Novel of the Year and the Kerry Group Novel of the Year. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and on BBC Radio 3 and 4. She has won the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHarper's Bazaar \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eshort-story competition and has been shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award, the An Post Irish Short Story of the Year, and the Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize. She specializes in running arts projects and events with older people, especially those living with dementia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv title=\"Page 8\" class=\"page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQUICKLY, WHILE THEY STILL HAVE HORSES \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn sixteen sparkling stories, Jan Carson introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: the thrill of growing up, the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss - all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 'A Certain Degree of Ownership', a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea. In 'Troubling the Water', a rumour spreads at a public swimming pool and chaos ensues. In 'Fair Play' a dishevelled father loses his two sons in an adventure park. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery so often, an irresistible suggestion of the other world will surprise and delight, reaffirming Carson as a thrillingly original and audacious talent, and making \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuickly, While They Still Have Horses \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe perfect introduction for readers new to her work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"raptures-the-original-and-exciti","title":"Jan Carson: The Raptures: ‘Original and exciting, terrifying and hilarious’ Sunday Times Ireland [2023] paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Absolutely MAGNIFICENT: dark, witty, charming. I LOVED it.' MARIAN KEYES \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Utterly absorbing' LISA MCINERNEY\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Heart-rending, hilarious . . . it's a belter' LOUISE KENNEDY\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Blistering...glorious...written from the guts and from the heart.' LUCY CALDWELL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'An original and exciting work that's equal parts terrifying, hilarious and memorable.' \u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is late June in Ballylack. Hannah Adger anticipates eight long weeks' reprieve from school, but when her classmate Ross succumbs to a violent and mysterious illness, it marks the beginning of a summer like no other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs others fall ill, questions about what - or who - is responsible pitch the village into conflict and fearful disarray. Hannah is haunted by guilt as she remains healthy while her friends are struck down. Isolated and afraid, she prays for help.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElsewhere in the village, tempers simmer, panic escalates and long-buried secrets threaten to emerge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBursting with Carson's trademark wit, profound empathy and soaring imagination, \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures\u003c\/i\u003e explores how tragedy can unite a small community - and tear it apart. At its heart is the extraordinary resilience of one young girl. As the world crumbles around her, she must find the courage to be different in a place where conforming feels like the only option available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDarkly funny, highly inventive and deeply moving, \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures \u003c\/i\u003eis an unmissable novel of 2022.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":44128929677602,"sku":"9781804990841","price":11.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Good","offer_id":50247998472531,"sku":"XG81804990841","price":5.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Like New","offer_id":52525274366291,"sku":"XE81804990841","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":47286321381715,"sku":"XV81804990841","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-the-raptures-original-and-exciting-terrifying-and-hilarious-sunday-times-ireland-2023-paperback-57793677001043.jpg?v=1764844269"},{"product_id":"the-fire-starters","title":"Jan Carson: Firestarters W2 [2020] paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e**WINNER of the EU Prize for Literature**\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'One of the most exciting and original Northern Irish writers of her generation' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Gripping, affecting, surprising. I inhaled it' \u003c\/b\u003eLISA MCINERNEY \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Captivating, intelligent and courageous' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eIRISH TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Spectacular. At once grittily real, wildly magical and insanely alluring - a siren-song of a novel.' \u003c\/b\u003eDONAL RYAN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Jan Carson seems to have invented a new Belfast in this gripping, surprising, exhilarating novel.' \u003c\/b\u003eRODDY DOYLE\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Blew me away with its power, anger and wit.' \u003c\/b\u003eJOSEPH O'CONNOR \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr Jonathan Murray fears his new-born daughter is not as harmless as she seems. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSammy Agnew is wrestling with his dark past, and fears the violence in his blood lurks in his son, too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe city is in flames and the authorities are losing control.  As matters fall into frenzy, and as the lines between fantasy and truth, right and wrong, begin to blur, who will these two fathers choose to protect?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDark, propulsive and thrillingly original, this tale of fierce familial love and sacrifice fizzes with magic and wonder.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":44814230749474,"sku":"9781784163846","price":13.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Good","offer_id":47975931707731,"sku":"XG81784163846","price":4.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":47186321473875,"sku":"XV81784163846","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-firestarters-w2-2020-paperback-55382756688211.jpg?v=1712827387"},{"product_id":"childrens-children","title":"Jan Carson: Children'S Children [2016] paperback","description":"Children's Children is a collection of fifteen short stories which cast a darkly humorous and oftentimes acidic eye, over life in post-conflict Northern Ireland. The stories contained in the collection are an eclectic selection of pieces which vary from traditional literary fiction to magic realism and subtle experiments with the short story form. They deal with the theme of legacy; the achievements, issues and problems this generation has inherited from the previous. Disillusioned street preachers, adulterous grocery shoppers, robotic brothers and child burglars are all given voice to express their experiences of life in contemporary Northern Ireland as Carson blurs the line between social commentary and modern parable.","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":46549606433107,"sku":"9781910742297","price":4.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Like New","offer_id":46953840804179,"sku":"XE81910742297","price":4.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-children-s-children-2016-paperback-57370788790611.jpg?v=1727197696"},{"product_id":"the-raptures-original-and-exciting-terrifying-and-hilarious-sunday-times-ireland","title":"Jan Carson: The Raptures [2022] hardback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Absolutely MAGNIFICENT: dark, witty, charming. I LOVED it.' MARIAN KEYES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Original, terrifying, hilarious and memorable.' \u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES IRELAND \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'An Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit, a dark supernatural mystery and an account of mass trauma...meticulously observed.' \u003ci\u003eGUARDIAN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is late June in Ballylack. Hannah Adger anticipates eight long weeks' reprieve from school, but when her classmate Ross succumbs to a violent and mysterious illness, it marks the beginning of a summer like no other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs others fall ill, questions about what - or who - is responsible pitch the village into conflict and fearful disarray. Hannah is haunted by guilt as she remains healthy while her friends are struck down. Isolated and afraid, she prays for help. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElsewhere in the village, tempers simmer, panic escalates and long-buried secrets threaten to emerge. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBursting with Carson's trademark wit, profound empathy and soaring imagination, \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures\u003c\/i\u003e explores how tragedy can unite a small community - and tear it apart. At its heart is the extraordinary resilience of one young girl. As the world crumbles around her, she must find the courage to be different in a place where conforming feels like the only option available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDarkly funny, highly inventive and deeply moving, \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures \u003c\/i\u003eis an unmissable novel of 2022\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'I gobbled up \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures . . .\u003c\/i\u003e packed with wit and heart\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eand always\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eutterly absorbing\u003c\/b\u003e.' \u003cb\u003eLISA MCINERNEY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Utterly compulsive and gripping . . . \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eJan Carson is a true original. An absolute must read. Outstanding.' ELAINE FEENEY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Heart-rending, hilarious . . . it's a belter' LOUISE KENNEDY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Blistering...glorious...written from the guts and from the heart.' LUCY CALDWELL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'One of the most exciting and original Northern Irish writers of her generation' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDarkly funny, highly inventive and deeply moving, \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures \u003c\/i\u003eis an unmissable novel of 2022\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReaders love \u003ci\u003eThe Raptures: \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e'An incredibly original and compelling story set in a Protestant community during the Troubles in N.Ireland.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e'A beautiful story about religion, illness, death, grief, ghosts, growing up, belonging and family' \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e'I couldn't put it down... Definitely one of the top books this year.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e'A very vivid picture of life in a religious community in rural Northern Ireland during the early 90s but in many ways it transcends its time and place... I gulped it down.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e'I loved everything about this book. The writing style, the characters, the humour. Best book I have read this year by a mile!'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":50305490714963,"sku":"9780857525758","price":21.41,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":46984831533395,"sku":"XV80857525758","price":8.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-the-raptures-2022-hardback-61143306436947.jpg?v=1738301344"},{"product_id":"jan-carson-the-fire-starters-2019-paperback","title":"Jan Carson: The Fire Starters [2019] paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'One of the most exciting and original Northern Irish writers of her generation' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Gripping, affecting, surprising. I inhaled it' \u003c\/b\u003eLISA MCINERNEY \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Captivating, intelligent and courageous' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eIRISH TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Spectacular. At once grittily real, wildly magical and insanely alluring - a siren-song of a novel. \u003c\/b\u003eDONAL RYAN\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Jan Carson seems to have invented a new Belfast in this gripping, surprising, exhilarating novel. \u003c\/b\u003eRODDY DOYLE\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A brilliant, wry novel, fizzing with energy.' \u003c\/b\u003eBARNEY NORRIS \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDr Jonathan Murray fears his new-born daughter is not as harmless as she seems. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSammy Agnew is wrestling with his dark past, and fears the violence in his blood lurks in his son, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe city is in flames and the authorities are losing control. As matters fall into frenzy, and as the lines between fantasy and truth, right and wrong, begin to blur, who will these two fathers choose to protect?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDark, propulsive and thrillingly original, this tale of fierce familial love and sacrifice fizzes with magic and wonder.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"Good","offer_id":47241620291923,"sku":"XG81781620465","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"New","offer_id":50348922634579,"sku":"9781781620465","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-the-fire-starters-2019-paperback-1127286493.jpg?v=1738879689"},{"product_id":"jan-carson-quickly-while-they-still-have-horses-2024-paperback","title":"Jan Carson: Quickly, While They Still Have Horses [2024] paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Jan Carson is a born storyteller: her work is so imaginative, whimsical, mischievous and brave, but tender and curious too - you never know where she's going to take you next, so reading her is always an adventure. Exactly how it should be.' LISA MCINERNEY, author of \u003ci\u003eTHE GLORIOUS HERESIES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e------\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn sixteen sparkling stories, Jan Carson introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: the thrill of growing up, the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss - all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 'A Certain Degree of Ownership', a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea. In 'Troubling the Water', a rumour spreads at a public swimming pool and chaos ensues. In 'Fair Play' a dishevelled father loses his two sons in an adventure park.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery so often, an irresistible suggestion of the other world will surprise and delight, reaffirming Carson as a thrillingly original and audacious talent, and making \u003ci\u003eQuickly, While They Still Have Horses \u003c\/i\u003ethe perfect introduction for readers new to her work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carson, Jan","offers":[{"title":"Like New","offer_id":50821784600915,"sku":"XE80857529916","price":10.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":50337177731411,"sku":"XV80857529916","price":12.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"New","offer_id":47583375458643,"sku":"9780857529916","price":19.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Good","offer_id":51232597475667,"sku":"XG80857529916","price":9.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/carson-jan-jan-carson-quickly-while-they-still-have-horses-2024-paperback-9780857529916-57687078666579.jpg?v=1750439715"},{"product_id":"quickly-while-they-still-have-horses","title":"Jan Carson: Quickly, While They Still Have Horses [2024] hardback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Jan Carson is a born storyteller: her work is so imaginative, whimsical, mischievous and brave, but tender and curious too - you never know where she's going to take you next, so reading her is always an adventure. Exactly how it should be.' LISA MCINERNEY, author of \u003ci\u003eTHE GLORIOUS HERESIES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e------\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn sixteen sparkling stories, Jan Carson introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: the thrill of growing up, the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss - all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 'A Certain Degree of Ownership', a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea. In 'Troubling the Water', a rumour spreads at a public swimming pool and chaos ensues. 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LISA MCINERNEY, author of \u003ci\u003eTHE GLORIOUS HERESIES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Pure magic, funny, sharp, heartbreaking, the short form at its absolute best. Jan Carson is a unique and very special writer, one of the greatest of the modern fabulists. - DONAL RYAN author of \u003ci\u003eHEART BE AT PEACE\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e------\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn sixteen sparkling stories, Jan Carson introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: the thrill of growing up, the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss - all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 'A Certain Degree of Ownership', a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea. 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Vidas, homeless and far from Lithuania, seeks sanctuary in an abandoned caravan. Anna struggles to shake off the ghost of her overbearing mother. Kathleen struggles to accept her daughter for who she is. Malcolm, a failed illusionist, makes one final attempt to reinvent himself. 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