'The best thing in Irish writing since Sean O'Casey' Spectator
Brendan Behan was born in Dublin in 1923. A member of the IRA, he
was sentenced to three years in Borstal in 1939 and a further
fourteen years in 1942.
He became a dominant literary figure almost overnight with the 1956
production of his play The Quare Fellow, based on his prison
experiences. This recognition was reinforced by the success of
Borstal Boy and his second play, The Hostage.
Brendan Behan described his recreations as 'drinking, talking, and
swimming' but no factual description could do justice to his
flamboyant, larger-than-life character. Generally regarded as
irreverent and unpredictable if not actually dangerous, there was
nonetheless no publicity which ever obscured his marked talents or
his great understanding of human nature. A man whose contemporaries
include Flann O'Brien, Patrick Kavanagh and Anthony Cronin, Behan
was a key part of Ireland's great modern literary tradition.
Brendan Behan died in 1964.
The best thing in Irish writing since Sean O'Casey
*Spectator*
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
