This essential guide provides a deeply informed survey of the criticism of all the plays and major stories authored by Brian Friel. Scott Boltwood introduces readers to the key themes that have been used to characterise Friel's entire career, moving chronologically from his early work as a successful short story writer to the present day. This is an essential text for dedicated modules or courses on Modern or Contemporary British and Irish drama offered as part of English Literature degrees, or for the literature and culture modules of undergraduate and postgraduate Irish Studies degrees. In addition, this book is an ideal companion for A Level students reading Friel's plays, or anyone with an interest in this complex writer's career.

Scott Boltwood is Henry Carter Stuart Professor of English and Chair of the English Department at Emory and Henry College, USA. He is the author of Brian Friel, Ireland, and The North (Cambridge University Press, 2007) and editor of Renegotiating and Resisting Nationalism in Twentieth-Century Irish Drama (Oxford University Press, 2009) and Stewart Love: Selected Plays (Lagan Press, 2010).