Deeply Regretted By . . .

by Maeve Binchy, Louis Lentin (Introduction)

Deeply Regretted By . . ., Maeve Binchy's classic television play, is a moving and powerful account of a tragedy affecting a woman in London who discovers, on the death of her 'husband', that their married life was a lie.

When shown on RTÉ Television twenty-five years ago Deeply Regretted By . . . affected audiences intensely, and exposed a hidden vein in Irish society - that of bigamy. The play reflects the sociopolitical realities of Irish men marrying and starting families both at home and abroad, principally after they were forced to emigrate for work.

Deeply Regretted By . . . is a brave and revealing account of a hidden layer of Irish society which Maeve Binchy first brought the subject to the surface in her Irish Times story, "Death of Kilburn", (also included in this volume). Arlen House are proud to publish Deeply Regretted By . . . as the first in a new series of Arlen Classic Literature.

Genres: Plays, Ireland, Fiction

82 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Anne Maeve Binchy Snell was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings. Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
She appeared in the US market, featuring on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Recognised for her "total absence of malice" and generosity to other writers, she finished third in a 2000 poll for World Book Day, ahead of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King.

Reviews

[K. Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The effect feels slightly deadened by the added context of the original article, but nonetheless it is a powerful story.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to read as Binchy wrote it long before she wrote any of her novels. I found the play form to be very different from her other work and I would love to see it performed on stage. This play brings out a problem in Irish and English society that had sort of been ignored or not talked about much at the time this play was first performed and I think Binchy was very brave to shed light on it. I did not like the play as much as her novels, but it is still very strong work.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a play, it's about the consequences for a widow when she finds out that the man she married and had 3 children by had another wife "back home" with more children, in fact more than 3. And that she has no rights to his body nor to mourn. The body will be sent back to the other family. A very interesting little story about a time when men went away to work.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read in Play form. Very different from her other books. A good but sad story. I would like to see this done on stage.This was about the Dual life of Irish men who go abroad to work and have two families.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve Binchy's classic television play about a woman discovering her life was not what she thought. It also focused on the struggles of a young priest doing his best to help others in need. Short, but absorbing.

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad story - a woman in London - after having lived several years with a loving husband - finds out at his sudden death that he also has a family - and a wife in Ireland. A tough one!