Bliss (1964) The third and final book of the trilogy, this novel begins in London several years after the end of The Lonely Girl. It marks a significant shift in style from the first two books, as it is now narrated in part by Baba in the first person, while Kate's sections are narrated in the third person. See more details on the page for Girls in Their Married Bliss. Reception The Irish censorship board banned The Country Girls upon its publication, adding it to a list of over 1600 books banned in Ireland under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929. The public response in Ireland was largely negative as a result of the sexual imagery and national critique throughout the trilogy. Religious and political figures took particular offense. Archbishop McQuaid and then Minister for Justice, Charlie Haughey decided that "the book was filth and should not be allowed inside any decent home." The trilogy was also subject to multiple public book burnings, including one in O'Brien's hometown of Tuamgraney. The Irish response to the trilogy, and the trilogy's international success despite this reaction, are frequently cited as key moments in the history of female writers in Ireland. According to Irish novelist Anne Enright, "O'Brien is the great, the only, survivor of forces that silenced and destroyed who knows how many other Irish women writers, and her contradictions – her evasions even – must be regarded as salutary." On 5 November 2019 BBC News included The Country Girls on its list of the 100 most influential novels. Analysis The novel is an exploration of the trials and tribulations of two friends set against the backdrop of 1950s Ireland, showing the influence of James Joyce in the humane attention to detail and thought and the rather lyrical prose of the narrator Cait. The ending, wherein Cait is deceived by Mr Gentleman, can be considered as a call by O'Brien for a reconsideration of Catholic values in Irish society. O'Brien helped to launch a new generation of Irish writers more focused on the demands and values of society, such as Enright, Nuala O'Faolain and Colm Tóibín. References External links Edna O'Brien discusses The Country Girls on the BBC World Book Club 1960 British novels British bildungsromans Book censorship in the Republic of Ireland Literature related to the sexual revolution Irish novels adapted into films Novels by Edna O'Brien Novels set in Ireland