Author Sinéad Gleeson Reflects on Loss, Literature, and Life by the Sea
DUBLIN – Author Sinéad Gleeson, known for her acclaimed essay collections Constellations and Still, has spoken candidly about the profound impact of her mother’s death while swimming in the Galápagos Islands at age 71, describing it as “a strangely lovely end for her.” The revelation came during a recent “My Life in Books” interview with The Irish Times, where Gleeson also shared personal insights into her treasured possessions, literary influences, and daily life.
Gleeson’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into navigating grief alongside a vibrant engagement with art and the natural world. The interview, published today, reveals a deeply personal side of the celebrated writer, touching on themes of memory, resilience, and finding solace in unexpected places. Gleeson’s work frequently explores the intersection of illness, the body, and creativity; her mother’s passing clearly informs this ongoing exploration.
During the interview, Gleeson highlighted Joshua Tree National Park in California as the most remarkable place she’s visited and revealed a childhood koala toy as her most treasured possession.she also praised Henry luttrell’s Advice to Julia as her most beautiful book, a gift from her aunt and uncle that she’s “rescued from a skip – not unlike myself, metaphorically speaking!”
Gleeson identified Joan Didion, David Sedaris, Dorothy Parker, John Banville, JD Salinger, and Marian Keyes as the writers she would invite to her dream dinner party. She cited Maya Angelou’s quote, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them – the first time,” as a personal favorite.
Living by the sea is the best aspect of her location,Gleeson noted,while nonstop roadworks and ”bizarre council decisions” represent the worst. She recommended David Sedaris’s Holidays on Ice for a laugh and Nabokov’s “Signs and symbols” for a cry.
Gleeson’s latest book, Still, is published by New Island. The interview provides a compelling portrait of an artist grappling with loss while continuing to find inspiration in literature,landscape,and the enduring power of memory.
