An Dochtúir Áthas

An Dochtúir Áthas, 200 pp; paperback; 978-0-898332-18-5

This first novel by Liam Mac Cóil, An Dochtúir Áthas, is a literary detective novel that introduces us into the world of psychoanalysis and into the very heart of Europe. It was the first Irish language book to be shortlisted for The Irish Times Literary Awards. Widely recognised as a classic, it is now in its third print.

My own doctor sent me to see him. “You have an illness,” he said that day, “that doesn’t have a name. Doctor Áthas is very skilled in this sort of thing,” he said. “I’m going to send you to him. He’s a psychoanalyst.” That’s how this story begins; if it is a story.

Detective Writing, Psychoanalysis and Plain Good Fun

A challenging work which incorporates elements of the best detective writing, large chunks of anaysis concerning Freud and psychoanalysis… some hilarious and delightfully sharp literary and other references as well as plain good fun.—Seosamh Ó Murchú, The Irish Times

‘The Finest Book Published in Ireland for Many a Year’

This is the best book published in Irish in years. —LÁ

This is one of the best-written, the most different, and the most interesting — in pne word, the finest — book published in Ireland for many a year. You are kept in suspense from page to page. —Pearse Hutchinson, RTÉ Guide

The classic Irish novel of the  latter part of this century, holding its own with anything by William Trevor or John Banville. —Gearailt Mac Eoin, The Irish Times

Fontenoy and other Irish language books by Liam Mac Cóil are available from our on-line bookshop.

Scéal an-sofaisticiúil, an-nua-aimseartha é An Dochtúir Áthas le Liam Mac Coil a bhaineann adhmad as cúrsaí síocanailíse, as cúrsaí bleachtaireachta, as cúrsaí grinn. — Brian Ó Conchubhair

read the article by Brian Ó Broin in Academia

This book is available on Kindle

This book and many more books by Liam Mac Cóil are available on our on-line book shop.