Sam Hanna Bell A Biography

Library Journal

Although little known in the United States, Belfast journalist, novelist, and broadcast pioneer Sam Hanna Bell was an important part of Northern Ireland's cultural life until his death in 1990. A feature writer for BBC Northern Ireland radio from its inception in 1946, he helped shape the consciousness of that unique and contentious area. His December Bride (no relation to the U.S. film and TV show) is considered one of the most important novels of the century, and his short stories are equally acclaimed. McMahon (A Short History of Ireland) began writing this account with Bell's help and had full access to his subject's voluminous diaries and archives. He offers extensive analyses of Bell's creative process as well as the occasional problems with budgets, censorship, and other roadblocks he faced. McMahon has obviously targeted his book to those already familiar with his subject's work and life, as well as the literary and cultural scene in Ireland from the 1930s to the present. For specialized collections.--Shelley Cox, Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\