They often depict the life in Irish country houses, including the social hierarchies, family dramas, and the relationship between the landed gentry and the local people. The settings are usually grand country estates with beautiful landscapes.
One of the main characteristics could be its portrayal of Irish family life. It might show the unique family dynamics, traditions, and values that are specific to Irish families. The novel may also use Irish settings and local language nuances to create an authentic atmosphere.
They are typically family - oriented. Irish novels show them being influenced by their families and traditions. They might be involved in taking care of the household, farming tasks, etc. At the same time, they can be quite dreamy. They dream of a different life outside the small - town or rural existence. This is seen in many Irish novels where the country girl protagonist yearns for adventure, love, or a more cosmopolitan life in the city. They are also often portrayed as having a rich inner world, full of Irish folklore, superstitions, and a sense of the mystical that is part of the Irish rural heritage.
There are also books by Colm Tóibín that could be considered similar. His novels like 'Brooklyn' which, although not entirely set in Ireland, still has strong Irish themes. It shows the experience of an Irish immigrant, and like 'An Irish Country Family, An Irish Country Novel', it explores the idea of family and how it is affected by different circumstances. Tóibín's writing often has a deep sense of place, just like in the mentioned Irish country novel.
The Irish Big House novels often feature the big, imposing houses in Ireland as a central setting. These houses were usually symbols of the Anglo - Irish ascendancy. They typically explore themes like class differences, the relationship between the Anglo - Irish landlords and the native Irish tenants, and the decline of the Anglo - Irish gentry. For example, in some novels, the grandeur of the big house is contrasted with the poverty and unrest outside its walls.
The house in Paris might hold various significance. It could be a symbol of escape for Irish characters from their own homeland's troubles. For example, in some novels, it represents a place of new beginnings, a space where Irish characters can re - invent themselves away from the constraints of Irish society at the time.
One well - known Irish novel featuring country girls could be 'The Country Girls' by Edna O'Brien. It follows the lives and experiences of two Irish country girls as they navigate their way through life, love, and the challenges of growing up in rural Ireland.