The Steward of Christendom

Methuen Drama in association with the Royal Court in their Writers' Series. Second Printing. 12mo. Pp. [xiv], 65, [1 (blank)]. Glossy pictorial wraps.

Signed by Author to title page. Lightly tanned to page edges, else fine.

Winner of the London Critics' Circle Award for Best Play 1995. It premiered to great acclaim at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, on 30th March 1995 with Donal McCann in the title role, in a production directed by Max Stafford-Clark. Set in a county home in Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, circa 1932, The Steward of Christendom sees Lear-like Thomas Dunne, ex-Chief Superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, trying to break free of history and himself.

Twice shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for A Long Long Way (2005) and The Secret Scripture (2008), the latter won the 2008 Costa Book of the Year, as did Days Without End in 2017, which made Barry the first writer to win the prestigious prize twice. "[A]n authentic masterpiece." –The Guardian