Irish media have reported that Edna O’Brien, the renowned Irish author, has passed away at the age of 93 after a long battle with illness.
According to a statement from her publisher and literary agent, Edna O’Brien died peacefully on Saturday after a prolonged illness.
In response to her passing, Irish President Michael D. Higgins described O’Brien as a “fearless voice of truth.”
Irish media have described Edna O’Brien as “one of Ireland’s most celebrated writers” and the creator of more than 20 literary works.
The Guardian has noted that O’Brien had a distinguished literary career that spanned over five decades. Her early novels, including “The Country Girls,” which depicted female desires, gained international fame in the 1970s and 1980s and received widespread acclaim, although they were banned in her homeland, with some copies even being burned.
O’Brien was renowned for her exceptional literary talent. American writer Philip Roth had previously remarked on her talent, stating: “The most talented woman writing in English today.”
Her publisher has stated that O’Brien was “one of the greatest writers of our time. She transformed Irish literature and portrayed the lives of women and the complexities of human conditions in prose that was both luminous and understated, profoundly influencing many writers who followed her.”
Edna O’Brien won numerous global literary awards, including the prestigious “Vladimir Nabokov Prize,” in recognition of her literary contributions.
O’Brien is also well-known in Persian-speaking countries. At least two of her books, “Night’s Darkness” and “The Lonely Girl,” have been translated into Persian.
Edna O’Brien’s death marks the end of an era for literature. Her impactful storytelling and bold exploration of women’s experiences have left an indelible mark on the literary world, inspiring countless readers and writers across the globe. Her legacy will undoubtedly endure through her influential works and the profound impact she had on literature and culture.
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