Brian O'Nolan (Irish: Brian Ã" Nualláin; 5 October 1911 â€" 1 April
1966), better known by his pen name Flann O'Brien, was an Irish
novelist, playwright and satirist, considered a major figure in
twentieth century Irish literature. Born in Strabane, County Tyrone,
he is regarded as a key figure in modernist[1] and postmodern
literature.[2] His English language novels, such as At Swim-Two-Birds
and The Third Policeman, were written under the O’Brien pen name.
His many satirical columns in The Irish Times and an Irish language
novel An Béal Bocht were written under the name Myles na
gCopaleen.O'Brien's novels have attracted a wide following for their
bizarre humour and modernist metafiction. As a novelist, O'Brien was
influenced by James Joyce. He was nonetheless sceptical of the cult of
Joyce, which overshadows much of Irish writing, saying "I declare to
God if I hear that name Joyce one more time I will surely froth at the
gob."[3]Brian O'Nolan's father, Michael Vincent O'Nolan was a
pre-independence official in His Majesty's Customs (i.e., the then
United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland) service, a role
that required frequent moves between cities and towns in England,
Scotland and Ireland. Although of apparently trenchant Irish
nationalist views, he was because of his role and employment, forced
to be discreet about them. At the formation of the Irish Free State,
O'Nolan senior joined the Irish Revenue Commissioners, in most
respects the Irish successor to his former employer.
1966), better known by his pen name Flann O'Brien, was an Irish
novelist, playwright and satirist, considered a major figure in
twentieth century Irish literature. Born in Strabane, County Tyrone,
he is regarded as a key figure in modernist[1] and postmodern
literature.[2] His English language novels, such as At Swim-Two-Birds
and The Third Policeman, were written under the O’Brien pen name.
His many satirical columns in The Irish Times and an Irish language
novel An Béal Bocht were written under the name Myles na
gCopaleen.O'Brien's novels have attracted a wide following for their
bizarre humour and modernist metafiction. As a novelist, O'Brien was
influenced by James Joyce. He was nonetheless sceptical of the cult of
Joyce, which overshadows much of Irish writing, saying "I declare to
God if I hear that name Joyce one more time I will surely froth at the
gob."[3]Brian O'Nolan's father, Michael Vincent O'Nolan was a
pre-independence official in His Majesty's Customs (i.e., the then
United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland) service, a role
that required frequent moves between cities and towns in England,
Scotland and Ireland. Although of apparently trenchant Irish
nationalist views, he was because of his role and employment, forced
to be discreet about them. At the formation of the Irish Free State,
O'Nolan senior joined the Irish Revenue Commissioners, in most
respects the Irish successor to his former employer.
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