William Trevor (1928-2016) was an Irish writer who left behind an amazing legacy — dozens of novels, novellas, short stories and plays — for us to enjoy.
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of his birth, what better way to celebrate William Trevor’s work than by spending a year reading it?
That’s why in 2023 I am joining forces with Cathy from 746 Books to spend “A Year with William Trevor“. Between the two of us, we think we can cover a good chunk of his writing over the course of 12 months — and we’d love you to join in!
We have come up with a proposed reading schedule and we’ll be posting our reviews in the first week of every month, commencing in January 2023.
| MONTH | CATHY | KIM |
| JAN | The Old Boys | Cheating at Canasta (short stories) |
| FEB | The Boarding House | Mrs Eckdorf in O’Neill’s Hotel |
| MAR | The Love Department | Miss Gomez and the Brethren |
| APR | The Hill Bachelors (short stories) | Elizabeth Alone |
| MAY | Nights at the Alexandra | The Children of Dynmouth |
| JUN | Felicia’s Journey | A Bit on the Side (short stories) |
| JUL | Death in Summer | Other People’s Worlds |
| AUG | The Mark-2 Wife (short stories) | Fools of Fortune |
| SEP | The Story of Lucy Gault | The Silence in the Garden |
| OCT | Excursions in the Real World (memoir) | After Rain (short stories) |
| NOV | Two Lives | Two Lives |
| DEC | Last Stories | The Dressmaker’s Child |
Over the years, I have read a handful of Trevor’s books and have loved them all. His work ranges from roaringly funny to quietly devasting, so there’s bound to be something to suit your mood and your taste.
If you are looking for some inspiration, here’s what I have previously read and reviewed:
The Old Boys (1964)
The Boarding House (1965)
The Love Department (1966)
Nights at the Alexandra (1987)
Felicia’s Journey (1994)
Death in Summer (1998)
The Story of Lucy Gault (2002)
Love and Summer (2009) and
Last Stories (2018)
Cathy has reviewed:
The Children Of Dynmouth. (1976)
After Rain (1996) and
Love and Summer (2009)
I’m looking forward to reading more of his work and filling in the gaps, as it were, as well as following Cathy’s reviews and seeing how she reacts to some of the books I have already read.
If you decide to join in, whether on your own blog or social media accounts, please tag us both and use the hashtag #WilliamTrevor2023.
Do let us know in the comments below if you are keen to take part or perhaps recommend a favourite William Trevor book. We can’t wait for the year-long celebration to begin!
Reading Matters 
Can’t wait now!
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Agreed! Am itching to begin!
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I’ll certainly join in , I love Trevor’s writing, and although I binged on his novels when I first discovered Lucy Gault, I’m sure I haven’t read everything yet. I’ll fossick around and see what I can find.
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He’s got 20 novels to his name and about a dozen-plus story collections, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find something you haven’t yet read, Lisa. Be great to have you on board.
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As you already know, I was and am a big fan of William Trevor. I have read most of the books listed above. I actually prefer his light-hearted early work to his more serious later work.
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Ah yes, we have had this discussion before, Tony. His early novels are black comedies of the finest order, but I have a soft spot for rural novels so I quite like his later work too. I’m looking forward to filling in the gaps in my reading as I seem to have read his early work and his later work, but not the stuff in between.
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Well, I like William Trevor’s writing a lot. Perhaps I should join in to fill the gaps – it’s an age since I read anything by him.
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There’s so much to explore, Margaret, that I’m sure you’ll be able to find something you haven’t read before.
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Oh, definitely! And worth re-reading in any case.
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What a great project I’ve his collect stories have read a number of books of years look forward to your thoughts
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Thanks Stu. Am looking forward to reading more by him in 2023.
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I have always wanted to read Trevor, having only read a short story or two, but the way next year is panning out I don’t imagine l’ll manage to take part, but if I can fit in a short story or two I will. Tony’s comment interests me.
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The beauty of his work is that it doesn’t require a huge time commitment because he specialised in short stories and slim novels/novellas. Tony is quite correct in that the early work is much more comic (written in a similar vein to Ealing comedies), although the dark side of human nature is very much present in most of his characters even in those early stories.
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Thanks Kim … I will try. I have a whole year after all!
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I love Trevor’s short stories and will definitely read some of them with you next year – what a lovely reading project.
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Excellent – will be great to have you on board!
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This is very exciting and I wish it very well – I’m sure I’ll see lots of people joining in who I follow. I am considering doing a year of general re-reading next year, in which case I will see if I have any Trevors on the bookshelves and take part. But best of luck anyway.
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Thanks Liz. My reading this year has been all over the place, so it will be good to have a specific reading project to focus on. Be great if you find a William Trevor on your bookshelves so you can take part.
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