Irish Stories Book

John B. Keane is famous for his clear-sighted and humorous tales of his native land. This collection of his fiction reveals the qualities that have made him an Irish literary legend.

Keane's sense of the monumental dignity of Irish tradition is celebrated in "Protocol," in which a man arrives at a neighbor's and waits for hours, politely discussing other topics before mentioning the tragic reason for his visit. Keane's appreciation for the darker side of human nature shows up in "Thrift," where obsession for material gain overrides even filial love. The author's deft touch with the unexpected shows in "Dousie O'Dea," about a woman who lays out corpses for wakes, making them more beautiful than they ever were in life. His great love of the countryside and respect for the savvy of countryfolk are evident in "The Reek," "Death Be Not Proud," and "The Fort Field."

Here, too, are gems like "The Hanging," in which accusation by silence reveals the comic and tragic effects of small-town gossip; "Under the Sycamore Tree," where 60-year-old Jimmy Bowden's lifelong dream is realized; and "Guaranteed Pure," the story of American bachelor Willie Ramley's search for an unsullied bride in Ireland.

Keen but never unkind, the attention of Ireland's favorite storyteller focuses on human vanities and frailties of every type.