Famine

by Tom Murphy

Famine portrays the Great Hunger of the Irish in 1840s, with fresh pathos and insight. "The macabre business of blight and death, of wakes and murder, of poisoned love and lost hope, and the scandal of an emigration policy that was in effect one of transportation…are some of the modern Irish theatre's most powerful and poetic scenes." (Observer)


 

Genres: Plays, Fiction, Irish Literature

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2001

About the author

Tom Murphy (born 1935) is an Irish dramatist who has worked closely with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and with Druid Theatre, Galway. Born in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, he currently lives in Dublin.

Reviews

[Pádraig Mac Oscair · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Irish famine isn't really a subject that's lent itself to portrayal in film and TV, despite having an incomparable impact on Irish society - the only real approaches filmmakers have found tend to be survival narratives (the excellent Arracht) or neo-Westerns (the so-so Black 47). Murphy's approach here is a series of loosely connected scenes depicting a society in collapse, with most characters representing avatars for the different elements within it (clergy, landlords, the Gaelic-speaking peasantry) rather than actual people. This means that whilst interesting and illuminating as a depiction of history, this doesn't always quite satisfy as a story. However, there is no punches pulled - Murphy's anger at the callousness and hypocrisy of those in power, particularly the clergy, shines through every scene.

[Caoilte Ó · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrelenting bleak (who would’ve guessed?)

[Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw it performed. Very powerful, to the point that it's difficult to watch without a queasy stomach. Truly heartbreaking.