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The Field
A fascinating play about a man's greed for land.
86 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 23, 2020
John B. Keane is great at writing plays. This is the fourth I’ve read of his. I like this one in particular because of the questions it brings up of the law of the land and the land being Ireland. I could do with a bit more characterisation and drama. More showing less telling, but I got into a lovely talk about the law in Ireland with my husband because of it and am thankful to have read this. Especially as the true story it’s based upon is interesting as well. I loved the notes at the end. I wish all plays I read where in this format.
October 18, 2024
3.5 stars
Finished reading this with my students so of course I’m including it in my reading challenge ✨
Finished reading this with my students so of course I’m including it in my reading challenge ✨
January 10, 2019
This is a very disturbing play that I wish I could see on stage, as it must play brilliantly. At the center of it is a thoroughly obnoxious, socially resentful, and deeply deceptive man who through bullying, bribery, threats, or familial pressure makes sure he gets what he wants, even at the cost of other's lives and income. The blurb on the back of my edition remarks that Bull McCabe is "one of the most famous characters in Irish writing today." That might be true, but he's decidedly an anti-hero. At least that's how he struck me. The jacket blurb also mentions that The Field is at the same time a "tender" portrait. Nothing tender about him, seems to me. Just ruthless determination. What the play certainly is at times, especially early on, is very funny, in keeping with a long tradition of black comedy in Irish letters and, I dare say, in the Irish soul. But, like Bull himself, the play as it proceeds becomes increasing darker and increasingly brutal. And increasingly affecting. Bull's speeches to the police sergeant near the end, in which he defends himself and also tries to deflect suspicion might sound terrifying familiar to a contemporary American reader. A man who commits as many injustices as he has in the course of the short play--and continues to make his cohorts fear for their lives if they turn against him--attempts to make himself out as a spokesman for the victimized underclasses, unfairly doubted and investigated by the cultural elite of Ireland at the time (the mid-1960s). Meaning, a police sergeant simply doing his job. Possibly the attitude behind this line will strike an American reader as familiar: "The likes of us that's ignorant has to be clever." Boy, if that isn't revealing. But Bull is more than just clever. Sadly, at least for the moment, Bull's bullying tactics and his phony righteousness seem to work. The sergeant knows Bull is guilty--the reader knows Bull is guilty--but the sergeant can't get the necessary corroboration from witnesses to hold Bull accountable. Which means that everyone has lost. Btw, I never saw the film version of this in which, as I understand it, Richard Harris gives a great performance as Bull. I guess I should now.
November 29, 2022
The plot of John B. Keane's The Field is fascinating, but it's more as a study of a small Irish town and the people living in it that this piece resonates.
Take "The Bull" McCabe, a tough-minded farmer who watches over what he has and who knows what's his. One of the things that he's certain of among his possessions is a 400-acre field that he's been grazing his cattle on for the past several years. It legally belongs to an old widow named Maggie Butler, but The Bull's sense of entitlement is firm and unwavering. When Mrs. Butler decides she needs to sell this parcel of land in order to supplement her meager old-age pension, The Bull is ready to resort to any means necessary to prevent any usurper from grabbing "his" field (and he's prepared to pay the widow the "fair" price of £200 for it, even though she's asking four times that).
But of course someone does try to buy The Bull's field--a stranger named William Dee, who has come from England to find a suitable location for his concrete business and decides this bit of land will do nicely. Dee has money and resolve, but he's not really prepared for the depths of The Bull's commitment to his homestead. Their confrontation turns ugly and violent, propelling the play towards a surprising and uncompromising conclusion.
Take "The Bull" McCabe, a tough-minded farmer who watches over what he has and who knows what's his. One of the things that he's certain of among his possessions is a 400-acre field that he's been grazing his cattle on for the past several years. It legally belongs to an old widow named Maggie Butler, but The Bull's sense of entitlement is firm and unwavering. When Mrs. Butler decides she needs to sell this parcel of land in order to supplement her meager old-age pension, The Bull is ready to resort to any means necessary to prevent any usurper from grabbing "his" field (and he's prepared to pay the widow the "fair" price of £200 for it, even though she's asking four times that).
But of course someone does try to buy The Bull's field--a stranger named William Dee, who has come from England to find a suitable location for his concrete business and decides this bit of land will do nicely. Dee has money and resolve, but he's not really prepared for the depths of The Bull's commitment to his homestead. Their confrontation turns ugly and violent, propelling the play towards a surprising and uncompromising conclusion.
March 26, 2021
4 stars
Often the benefit of a play is that it must be simple. I've read a lot of books this year that try to hide their symbolism behind layers of story and reems of text. The Field is not such a story.
The story offers a lightning quick examination of rural Ireland, the people are brutal and proud, and very much seperate from civilisation. The bull is far from the most sympathic character in fiction. But he offers a picture of what 20th century Ireland was, and what still remains today in the fields.
Defonatly a worth while read.
Often the benefit of a play is that it must be simple. I've read a lot of books this year that try to hide their symbolism behind layers of story and reems of text. The Field is not such a story.
The story offers a lightning quick examination of rural Ireland, the people are brutal and proud, and very much seperate from civilisation. The bull is far from the most sympathic character in fiction. But he offers a picture of what 20th century Ireland was, and what still remains today in the fields.
Defonatly a worth while read.
May 9, 2022
The Bull McCabe has rented Maggie Butler's field for five years and turned it into a fine area of land through the sweat of his brow. When Mrs Butler decides to sell the field to the highest bidder, McCabe throws his weight around to ensure that noone bids against him.
Keane's masterpiece, 'The Field' is frightening in its accurate portrayal of Irish society and the lust for the land which has enthralled many men.
Keane's masterpiece, 'The Field' is frightening in its accurate portrayal of Irish society and the lust for the land which has enthralled many men.
October 7, 2022
Land and the price paid for it commands this short drama. The Bull is the figure around which all turns. Act 2 Scene 2 put me in mind of The Plague by Camus oddly with its use of an important sermon reflecting the events of the book. At times funny but also callous and infuriating to witness I can see why this play has such a large reputation as one of Ireland's best. Thoroughly enjoyed it and despite years passing since the setting and its publishing little has changed in Ireland
October 12, 2023
An extraordinarily powerful play requiring the reader/theatre goer to hold onto a very balanced mind as you witness the power of one mans obsession for land at a time when poverty was always an alternative, and the consequences and extremes to which this would drive him, and all of which takes place within a community of characters equally vulnerable and consequently having to bond in order to survive. Hugely affecting.
July 10, 2017
One of the few plays I've ever read. I think I might read a few more. The format requires dialogue to be the center of attention, it seems. And this one does that so very well. I've just finished reading it while visiting Ireland for the 10th time. It's spot on. Also some great dramatic tension at times. Well done.
January 2, 2022
I have read a good few plays and came away thinking it would be better to see it on stage. Only the Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and now John B Keane's The Field can I say that I was gripped and felt I was actually watching a play when I was reading it. The writing is simple but effective and flows in a natural Irish manner. Well wrote the read.
January 28, 2025
Very solid.
Despite very short and snappy dialogue, the characters feel fully fleshed out and genuine.
Explores complex themes of land rights, conspiracy, industrial progress, and invasion.
The motivations of the characters are complex yet executed very simply, with very little padding.
Will be reading more Keane going forward.
Despite very short and snappy dialogue, the characters feel fully fleshed out and genuine.
Explores complex themes of land rights, conspiracy, industrial progress, and invasion.
The motivations of the characters are complex yet executed very simply, with very little padding.
Will be reading more Keane going forward.
March 3, 2021
A great book that's gives a great insight into the minds and lives of rural Irish people. Most would call the Bull a villian but it's easy to understand where he is coming from if you're from the country. A must read!.
February 18, 2018
Sort of disappointing. Really heavy-handed. The plot sucks balls.
December 8, 2018
It’s fine. I have no idea how it got on my reading list !!
December 25, 2022
Good, but dark stuff.
Reading prior to seeing the movie, which a good Irish friend of mine recommended.
Reading prior to seeing the movie, which a good Irish friend of mine recommended.
January 30, 2023
for years i've been so uninterested in this play/film for some reason i assumed it would be boring!! i was wrong!! so fucking tense... lowkey very relevant in irish housing crisis times
November 22, 2010
My first real, not-so-talked about Irish read. Oscar Wilde and Joyce are the 2 real big ones that everyone has heard of, Keane to be honest I didn't know of 2 days ago.
This is a mice-of-men play that involves few people and even less events. It warms my heart when I think of the fields and the pubs, those I can actually relate to.
Keane he writes beautifully but not with so much effort, it is mostly very close to reality and since it is a play it has to be real life (could be at least) conversations. But I did very much enjoy this short play. It took me but a day to finish.
I haver to say that I was dying for the Bull to be busted... I was. Why I am reasoning that it is a mice of men play is that there is two characters that are a contrast to eachother (one dumb the other smart) just as in Steinbecks novel. Although here there is a major difference for Steinbeck you feel, for Keane you want the two of them dead.
Awful ending, but for the first time the bad guys got away with everything, I should like that, it is really my cup of tea...
This is a mice-of-men play that involves few people and even less events. It warms my heart when I think of the fields and the pubs, those I can actually relate to.
Keane he writes beautifully but not with so much effort, it is mostly very close to reality and since it is a play it has to be real life (could be at least) conversations. But I did very much enjoy this short play. It took me but a day to finish.
I haver to say that I was dying for the Bull to be busted... I was. Why I am reasoning that it is a mice of men play is that there is two characters that are a contrast to eachother (one dumb the other smart) just as in Steinbecks novel. Although here there is a major difference for Steinbeck you feel, for Keane you want the two of them dead.
Awful ending, but for the first time the bad guys got away with everything, I should like that, it is really my cup of tea...
December 6, 2011
This is truly a masterpiece of Irish theater. The Field captures tensions between insiders and outsiders to Irish culture in a way that shows the humanity of each side, for right or wrong. The community response to the actions of Bull and Tadgh are also equally telling of Irish cultural values and responses to church and authority. I liked that the play captured the ideas of land ownership and the Irish pub as being places of political activity and social importance.
There is also a film of the same title that is equally moving, it does take cinematic liberties plot and characters but still captures the tensions brilliantly.
There is also a film of the same title that is equally moving, it does take cinematic liberties plot and characters but still captures the tensions brilliantly.
January 12, 2011
Ive begun to see more in this play as Ive gotten older. In school it was just something we had to study. Irish writer bla bla bla play bla bla heritige bla bla.
Ive re read it a couple of times since then and it really is a gem. The Bull puts his life and soul into his little patch of land and does everything possible to keep it in his possesion.
People say this book is about greed. I dont see it that way. I see it as a story about identity, family and invasion.
Ive re read it a couple of times since then and it really is a gem. The Bull puts his life and soul into his little patch of land and does everything possible to keep it in his possesion.
People say this book is about greed. I dont see it that way. I see it as a story about identity, family and invasion.
March 15, 2016
While it might look a little dated now this is an important snapshot of a certain type of small town Irish insularity that reigned at a time when there was an , obsession with land and religion, allied with a horror of the unknown that could be twisted to brutal ends.
There is insight and humour, as well as sadness and fear, on the way to this darkness. A fine play in its own right.
There is insight and humour, as well as sadness and fear, on the way to this darkness. A fine play in its own right.
March 13, 2012
Quick read. Recommended by our tour guide in Ireland. Very well written.
January 30, 2014
the power of the irish theatre
February 2, 2016
Better than the film.
October 24, 2014
Really didn't like it, probably because I had to read it for school.
May 19, 2015
Read this book because it is the stage play that I saw in Dublin. Someone there told me the book had a different ending. Well...it didn't.
March 22, 2020
Read for second year English. Would love to see it performed.
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July 4, 2021Done this for my jr cert years ago really enjoyed it sure it's a classic movie aswell
January 14, 2026
Interesting enough; not a whole heap to it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews