The Last of the High Kings

Plagued by his anarchic mother, tormented by his sister, abused by his brain-damaged brother, and generally driven to despair by everyone, Frankie Griffin, the Last of the High Kings of Tara, is going to embark on a coming-of-age story with a difference... Set during the summer of punk in Howth, a small fishing town in North Country Dublin, the riotously funny The Last of the High Kings tells Frankie's story as he tries to deal with his eccentric family and come to terms with his life. The Last of the High Kings was made into a Hollywood movie starring Gabriel Byrne, Jared Leto, Stephen Rea and Christina Ricci in 1996. First published in 1991, New Island's Modern Irish Classics series brings this hilarious novel to a new generation of readers.

Ferdia MacAnna was born and educated in Dublin. He had a career as a singer/songwriter and television producer before turning to writing. He has written three novels, including The Last of the High Kings, which was made into a Hollywood feature film.