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The Lieutenant of Inishmore

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( 3,911 ratings, 267 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh is a dark comedy set on a small island off the coast of Ireland. The story revolves around a young man named Padraic, involved in a faction of the Irish National Liberation Army, who returns home after discovering that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, is unwell. Chaos ensues as Padraic's obsessive dedication to both his feline friend and his violent cause intertwine, leading to a series of absurd and violent events within his community.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate dark comedy and satirical humour. Set against the backdrop of Irish political conflict, it offers a compelling combination of sharp dialogue and unexpected twists. Its bold and irreverent take on violence and loyalty will captivate readers who enjoy theatre and cultural critique.

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A Student Edition of McDonagh's dramatic engagement with Republican paramilitaries, first produced by the RSC in 2000.

A Student Edition featuring a scene-by-scene summary, a commentary onthe dramatic, social and political context, and on the themes,characters, language and structure of the playQuestions for further study, notes on the words and phrases in the textand a further reading list all assist students and teachers of the play'McDonagh, in his best play to date, offers a ... politically anddramatically coherent exposition of the way violence is glamorised andextremism infects people like a deadly virus.' Guardian Martin McDonagh has won various prizes for his plays including: The Laurence Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award, and Tony AwardIn 2008, McDonagh's screenplay for the film In Bruges was a critical and popular hit

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'There's more than one way to skin a theatrical cat; and McDonagh's chosen weapons are laughter and gore... Pushing theatre to its limits, McDonagh is making a serious point... a work as subversive as those Synge and O'Casey plays that sparked Dublin riots in the last century' Guardian

'A brave satire... Swiftianly savage and parodic... with explicit brutal action and lines which sing with grace and wit' Observer

Who knocked Mad Padraic's cat over on a lonely road on the island of Inishmore and was it an accident? He'll want to know when he gets back from a stint of torture and chip-shop bombing in Northern Ireland: he loves his cat more than life itself.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a brilliant satire on terrorism, a powerful corrective to the beautification of violence in contemporary culture, and a hilarious farce. It premiered at the RSC's The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, in May 2001.

Commentary and notes by Patrick Lonergan

Series: Student Editions

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews highlight The Lieutenant of Inishmore as a gleefully gruesome play, winning accolades for its bold farcical take on political terrorism in rural Ireland. It's described as both appallingly entertaining and enlightening, blending absurd humour with moral commentary on political violence. Critics appreciate its blend of horror and hilarity, noting its subversive edge and comparisons to classic controversial plays that once incited riots.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781408111079

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 May 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Contributors:

  • Edited by Patrick Lonergan

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 124.0mm

Height: 191.0mm

Weight: 128g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Martin McDonagh's first play The Beauty Queen of Leenane wasnominated for six Tony awards, of which it won four, and the LaurenceOlivier Award. In 2006, Martin McDonagh won an Oscar for his short filmSix Shooter, and in 2008 his film In Bruges was a critical and popular hit.

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    Wee Thomas was a friendly cat. He would always say hello to you were you to see him sitting on a wall. (Pause.) He won't be saying hello no more, God bless him. Not with that lump of a brain gone. Who knocked Wee Thomas over on the lonely road on the island of Inishmore, and was it an accident?...
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