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People are losing the rag over three Irish books included in a "Best British Novels" list

James Joyce, John Banville and Flann O’Brien were featured in The Telegraph’s Best British Novels list.

Apr 15th 2014, 3:01 PM 27,001 Views 79 Comments

Updated at 16.35pm

JAMES JOYCE, FLANN O’Brien and John Banville – famed British novelists? Not so fast, Telegraph.

The UK newspaper selected 20 books they consider to be the best ‘British’ novels of all time – three of which were by Irish authors.

Ulysses is the sixth book on the list, while The Sea by John Banville and Flann O’Brien’s At Swim-Two-Birds appear further down.

The newspaper has since changed the title of the article to ‘Best British and Irish novels’ – but not before an almighty outrage swept Twitter, somewhat understandably.

The Daily Telegraph picks Ulysses and At Swim Two Birds as two of the 20 Best British Novels of all time. PARDON? http://t.co/gJC9XbWkfj
— 🥃Donald Clarke📽️ (@DonaldClarke63) April 15, 2014

Source: Donald Clarke/Twitter

@DonaldClarke63 Grrrr! @Telegraph needs a slap on the wrist methinks
— Esther McCarthy (@Esthermccarthy) April 15, 2014

Source: Esther McCarthy/Twitter

@DonaldClarke63 Perhaps we should add a history book and an atlas to that writer's reading list?
— Joe Leogue (@JoeLeogue) April 15, 2014

Source: Joe Leogue/Twitter

So apparently 3 of the 20 best British novels of all time were written by Joyce, Flann O'Brien and John Banville? http://t.co/IZZ7FMZsEx
— Bernard O'Rourke (@guyserious) April 15, 2014

Source: Bernard O'Rourke/Twitter

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Dear @Telegraph Ulysses, At Swim Two Birds & John Banville's The Sea are Irish novels. Thanks. (Ht @DonaldClarke63 )
— June Shannon (@juneshannon) April 15, 2014

Source: June Shannon/Twitter

Now that it’s British AND Irish novels…why only three? You can’t win, Telegraph! You can’t win.

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Valerie Loftus

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People are losing the rag over three Irish books included in a "Best British Novels" list