Midden

by Morna Regan

After 15 years in Philadelphia, Ruth has built up a business successful enough to bring her home to Derry, Ireland. But instead of the welcome she longed for, her arrival provokes instant strife. Her widowed mother is being driven to distraction by her own widowed mother, Doddie, who is convinced that Ruth is Doddie’s sister—a woman who got pregnant and eloped with a G.I., only to be abandoned in Liverpool.

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Woollygem · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting play that discusses issues surrounding family, emigration and grief in rural Ireland, however it lacks much detail to the story. You are often left asking why the character responded as they did. Midden also lacked any particular drive or structure in the plot. What actually happened in the story? It was interesting and explored the whole concept of emigration to America for a "better life" but it didn't really start any fires.