'Big Maggie 'J. B. Keane's most outspoken play' - The Irish Press
'Keane ... has brought the tyranny, the desperation and the frustration of the rural Irish matriarch roaring into the top twenties' 'A full-blooded, salty, earthy play with a great ring of truth and uproarious with comedy' - The Irish Times
'His depth of perception reveals a mature Keane' - Cork Examiner
The story of Big Maggie Polpin and her attempts to keep her family together after the death of her husband is an enduring theatre favourite. The dialogue crackles with hilarious, caustic putdowns as the indomitable Maggie deals with her feckless family and unwanted suitors. Everyone wants a part of Big Maggie and her property, but she has other ideas. John B. Keane's wonderful creation of a rural Irish matriarch ranks with Juno, Mommo and Molly Bloom as one of the great female creations of twentieth-century Irish literature.

About the Author
John B. Keane, one of Ireland's most prolific and respected literary figures, was born in 1928 in Listowel, Co. Kerry, and it was there that he spent his literary career, running a pub which provided him with inspiration for his characters and stories. His first play, 'Sive', was presented by the Listowel Drama Group and won the All-Ireland Drama Festival in 1959. A writer of essays, short stories and letters, his humorous words live on in the Celebrated Letters of John B. Keane, The Best of John B. Keane and The Short Stories of John B. Keane. John B. Keane died on 30 May 2002 but remains one of Mercier's best-loved and best-selling authors. Eilis Flanagan has ten years experience as a secondary teacher and now works in teacher training with NUI Galway and the University of Limerick. Originally from Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal, she now lives in Galway.

Reviews
Big Maggie 'J. B. Keane's most outspoken play' The Irish Press 'Keane ... has brought the tyranny, the desperation and the frustration of the rural Irish matriarch roaring into the top twenties' 'A fullblooded, salty, earthy play with a great ring of truth and uproarious with comedy' The Irish Times 'His depth of perception reveals a mature Keane' Cork Examiner



Book Information
ISBN 9781781172858
Author Mr John B. Keane
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint The Mercier Press Ltd
Publisher The Mercier Press Ltd