Pop Fiction

Never one to judge a book by its cover, Ann Marie Hourihane dissects the world of popular women’s fiction.

From Maeve Binchy to Cecelia Ahern, Irish women have conquered the international bestseller charts, putting Ireland and her writers on the map. What is so-called “chick-lit” – and why does the phrase provoke such strong reactions from authors and readers alike? Why is it so popular? What does its popularity say about modern readers? Does the genre deserve its critics? Why, too, are Irish writers so good at it? Contributors include best selling authors Marian Keyes, Sheila O’Flanagan, Cecelia Ahern and Cathy Kelly, along with godmothers of the genre, Patricia Scanlan and Meave Binchy.

‘Pop Fiction’ RTÉ One 1 x 60′ arts documentary