Thrillingly propulsive novel of English life

Once Upon A Time In England. By Helen Walsh. Canongate, €22

It takes chutzpah to cal l a novel Once UponATimeIn England. Such a title evokes great American epics and suggests a work of f i c t ion pertaining to politics, history and nationhood. But audacity i s one of Helen Walsh’s most defining strengths. She catapulted to literary fa me in 2004, with her raw, incendiary debut novel, Brass.

Though her ...