There Was an Ancient House

by Benedict Kiely

The ancient house stood on fine land and among great woods in the midlands of Ireland. It became for a while a novitiate of a religious order. Within its walls 30 novices attempt to conform to the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863275761
• ISBN13: 9780863275760
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Wolfhound Press (IE)
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Ireland's Finest Novelist

Benedict Kiely, born in Co. Tyrone and now living in Dublin for over 60 years, turned 80 in August 1999. "There Was an Ancient House" tells the story of a young man's struggle with other novices trying to conform to the religious life. Kiely, Ireland's finest novelist, writes with humor, honesty and clear, lyrical prose. It is a classic novel.Note: This "review" is the only way I can find to communicate with you that Ben (a great friend) has just had published two new books:"The Waves Behind Us" (Metheun) is the second volume of his memoirs. The first volume, "Drink to the Bird" came out in 1996.The second book, "A Raid into Dark Corners" (Cork University) is a compilation of 26 of his essays written over the past years on various Irish authors from George Moore to Sean O'Faolain to Seamus Heaney. The title of the book is from a definition Heaney gave to poetry, which he likened to "a raid into dark corners."I bring this latter book to your attention because some weeks ago you had listed "Of Clay Gods and Men" which was the title of this book of essays by Wolfhound Press. That deal fell through and Cork University published it as "A Raid..."Ben is an extraordinary writer and I hope this information will enable you to list his complete works. Thank you very much.