Tom Phelan is an accomplished author, born and raised on a small farm in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland. He had already turned fifty when his first novel, "In the Season of the Daisies," was accepted for publication in Dublin. The novel's impact was such that one reviewer questioned his whereabouts prior to this publication, given the resounding vigor of his debut. "In the Season of the Daisies" was later selected by Barnes and Noble for its Discover Great New Writers series and was a finalist for the Discover award.
Phelan's literary career took off from there, and he has since written several novels, including "Iscariot," "Derrycloney," "The Canal Bridge," "Nailer," and "Lies the Mushroom Pickers Told." His works delve into various themes such as Irish soldiers in World War I, returned emigrants, the abusive Irish industrial schools, the priesthood, and life in rural Ireland in the mid-1900s. His novels have been praised for their exploration of these topics, with "The Canal Bridge" being hailed as a "masterpiece" by the Irish Independent.
In addition to his novels, Phelan has also penned a memoir, "We Were Rich and We Didn't Know It: A Memoir of My Irish Boyhood." This work was awarded a star by Kirkus Reviews, indicating a book of exceptional merit. Kirkus called the memoir "A tender recollection of growing up on a farm in Ireland in the 1940s….A captivating portrait of a bygone time." The memoir's evocative narrative has drawn comparisons to Frank McCourt's work, further highlighting Phelan's storytelling abilities.
Phelan's writing is known for its unpretentious beauty and rich material detail, providing readers with a vivid picture of rural Irish life. His prose has been praised by various publications, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Newsday, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and the blog For the Love of Books. Tom Phelan now resides in New York and continues to captivate readers with his compelling narratives and insightful portrayals of the Irish experience.