Irish Stories

A dazzling Pocket Classics collection of thirty-three short stories from across two centuries, showcasing the remarkable breadth and depth of Irish literary talent

Ireland has a long and glorious literary heritage that has always found particularly vivid expression in the short story form. The selections in Irish Stories reflect both rural and urban settings and the wide variety of literary styles that Irish writers have excelled at, including humor, literary fiction, ghost stories, and crime fiction.

Here are early tales that draw on the vibrant folkloric traditions of the Emerald Isle, alongside such globally influential modernist titans as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. The icons of a mid-twentieth-century golden age collected here include Elizabeth Bowen, Flann O’Brien, Frank O’Connor, Maeve Brennan, and Edna O’Brien, while a more recent literary flowering of the story form is amply represented by the works of Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, Claire Keegan, Kevin Barry, Roddy Doyle, Sally Rooney, and many more. Irish Stories is an endlessly entertaining tribute to the imaginative riches of an extraordinary land.

Everyman's Library pursues the highest production standards, printing on acid-free cream-colored paper, with full-cloth cases with two-color foil stamping, decorative endpapers, silk ribbon markers, European-style half-round spines, and a full-color illustrated jacket.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs