Key
Will be published approx. on 2. July 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-56478-443-8 (ISBN)
Description
In An Eochair (The Key), one of Mairtin O Cadhain's most Kafkaesque short stories (and one of his longest), J., a 'paper-keeper,' one of the more junior civil servant positions, accidentally locks himself in his office when the key breaks in the lock. The story -- a mixture of satire, farce, black comedy and, ultimately, tragedy -- relates the efforts of J. and various other characters, his wife, civil service colleagues and superiors and others, to extricate himself from his predicament. However, all efforts to free J. must be in accordance with civil service protocols, and no such protocol exists for J.'s unique dilemma.
Reviews / Votes
"...one of the most important writers of the twentieth century." -BBC"The Key possesses all the subversive linguistic energy of the finest absurdist comedy, and, true to that tradition, it is also very serious. It could be a political polemic. Instead it ridicules the petty mindlessness of bureaucracy and office politics everywhere. (...) The frenetic fluency of the satire is sustained throughout. It is a literary performance piece that would be exciting to stage." -Eileen Battersby, Irish Times
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Normal, IL
United States
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
161 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-56478-443-8 (9781564784438)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Mairtin O Cadhain was one of the most prominent Irish language writers of the twentieth century and played a key role in bringing literary modernism to contemporary Irish language literature. Mairtin O Cadhain was one of the most prominent Irish language writers of the twentieth century and played a key role in bringing literary modernism to contemporary Irish language literature. Louis de Paor is a well-known poet in the Irish language. Born in Cork, and former editor the Irish language journal Innti, he is now the Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Lochlainn O'tuairisg is chief editor with Clo Iar-Chonnacht publishers.