Sir, A first time Irish novelist nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize should deserve more than the carping and tendentious piece by Eileen Battersby (October 2nd). Seamus Deane's Reading in the Dark whether it be classified as novel, memoir or noveloir, is a beautifully crafted work, fit to compete with the best of Atwood and Swift.
The whole sham debate about what is and what is not fiction should have been laid to rest after Schindler's Ark On the basis of Ms Battersby's argument, Joyce's Portrait of the Artist would not make the Booker starting gate. Let's place the bets on the Derryman! Yours, etc. Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W.