Cover of At Swim-Two-Birds
Historical FantasyMyth & Legend Fiction

At Swim-Two-Birds

by

  • 1939 first published
  • 315 pages
  • 30 editions
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At Swim-Two-Birds is a 1939 historical fantasy and mythic fiction novel by Flann O'Brien. Much of the action takes place in Ireland. It deals with adaptations, Celtic Mythology, Folklore and tales.

46 Open Library readers have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 30 editions.

At about 315 pages, most readers finish it in 5–6 hours.

About At Swim-Two-Birds

Flann O'Brien's first novel is a brilliant impressionistic jumble of ideas, mythology and nonsense. Operating on many levels it incorporates plots within plots, giving full rein to O'Brien's dancing intellect and Celtic wit. The undergraduate narrator lives with his uncle in Dublin, drinks too much with his friends and invents stories peopled with hilarious and unlikely characters, one of whom, in a typical O'Brien conundrum, creates a means by which women can give birth to full-grown people. Flann O'Brien's blend of farce, satire and fantasy result in a remarkable, astonishingly innovative book.
Description from Open Library

Themes, setting & tropes

Genres

Setting

Subjects

  • Adaptations
  • Celtic Mythology
  • Classic Literature
  • Folklore
  • Tales
  • Students
  • Authors
  • Authorship
  • Historical fantasy
  • Ireland
  • British and irish fiction, Fictional works by one author
  • Englisch

Quick answers

Who wrote At Swim-Two-Birds?

At Swim-Two-Birds was written by Flann O'Brien and first published in 1939.

What genre is At Swim-Two-Birds?

It is usually shelved as Historical Fantasy and Myth & Legend Fiction.

How long is At Swim-Two-Birds?

The median edition has 315 pages, about 5–6 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.

What books are similar to At Swim-Two-Birds?

Readers who like it often enjoy Dreamer's Pool, The Secret Rose and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Books like At Swim-Two-Birds