The Letters Of Brendan Behan »

Brendan Behan -- a Dublin playwright, fiction writer, and poet -- made a deep impression on British theatre during the 1950s. As a young man he made a similar impression on Irish prisons, spending a number of years in them for the cause of Irish republicanism. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy a reputation as a carouser, boozer, and rebel but he was also known for having a generous spirit and being a witty, good-natured spinner of yarns. The letters collected in this volume by E.H. Mikhail show the many sides of this complex man.

Booknews

Correspondence of the great classical scholar. Largely from his 60 year career at U. of Virginia and Johns Hopkins. An admirable, massively referenced collection. A thoroughly annotated collection of those letters by controversial Irish playwright Behan (1923-64) that have come to light so far. Also includes some unpublished poems and early writings, and letters to the editor that were rejected. Acidic paper. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)