Introduced by Peter Fallon and Gail McConnell

The Brimming World draws on five decades of Ciaran Carson's shorter prose and includes essays on enduring passions - poetry, language (including translation) and music. In this treasure trove are autobiographical evocations of Belfast, an impetuous review of North, assessments of Derek Mahon, Biddy Jenkinson, John Clare and C K Williams, observations on visual arts - and again and again - reports of traditional music sessions in small back rooms. This is a book that follows Ciaran Carson's curious mind in ways that are as spellbinding as they are delightful. It is a windfall and a gift.