Emma Donoghue is one of the most prolific young Irish writers to emerge since the 1970s. While Donoghue may be best known for her treatment of lesbian themes in her writing, her work is also intrinsically Irish and deeply rooted in her sense of both sexuality and nationality. Her name is often associated with Irish writer Mary Dorcey, who also explores in her writings the place where sexuality and nationalism merge. Donoghue has written in diverse genres and has proven herself equally adept at fiction, drama, and criticism.

Emma Donoghue was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 24 October 1969, the youngest of eight children. Both Donoghue's father and mother were teachers. Her father, the literary critic Denis Donoghue, taught in the English department at University College Dublin (UCD) from 1966 to 1979. Her mother, Frances (Rutledge) Donoghue, taught English at the secondary- school level. Donoghue traveled to the United States as a...