Jul 22, 2019 he spent three years as a prisoner in england, primarily in borstal reform school, and was then expelled to his homeland, a changed but hardly defeated rebel. Presentation copy to his new york publicist, to abner, who created the new york version of brendan behan ix 60. Brendan behan, in full brendan francis behan, born feb. Brendan behans death was a tragic waste, but his talent had long been destroyed by success and alcohol. One of the young brendan behans fellow prisoners in the english young peoples prison is a sailor named charlie. Heres a selection of some of brendan behan s best quotes. He spent three years as a prisoner in england, primarily in borstal reform school, and was then expelled to his homeland, a changed but hardly defeated rebel. Later, the hostage, behans englishlanguage adaptation of an giall, met with great success internationally. But behan drowned his talent in a whiskey bottle and became the caricature of an irish stage drunk, clowning his way with oaths and stories between. Borstal boy by brendan behan 100 books in 100 weeks. Borstal boy by brendan behan, first edition abebooks. Behan is frequently mentioned in works of popular culture. Borstal boy by behan, brendan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
But behan drowned his talent in a whiskey bottle and became the caricature of an irish stage drunk, clowning his way with oaths and. Born in dublin into a staunchly republican family, he became a. This miracle of autobiography and prison literature begins. His books, brendan behan s island, brendan behan s new york and confessions of an irish rebel, published in 1962 and 1964, were dictated into a tape recorder because he was no longer able to write or type for long enough to be able to finish them. Borstal boy first edition brendan behan bauman rare books. Not only is it the last instalment of a unique and unorthodox autobiography, but of a unique and unorthodox life that was as touched with genius as it was with doom. Brendan behan books list of books by author brendan behan. Yet brendan behan found something more positive than hate in borstal. Extraordinarily vivid, fluent, and moving, this is a superb and unforgettable piece of writing. An irish sketchbook, brendan behan s new york, the scarperer, confessions of an irish rebel, richards cork leg, and after the wake. However, there was also a strong emphasis on irish history and culture in the home, which meant he was steeped in literature and patriotic ballads from an early age. Borstal boy nonpareil books behan, brendan, kiely, benedict on. Apr 01, 1970 a stage, a few lights and an actor, niall toibin. Neville heath, a once infamous 1940s british murderer, was incarcerated, before he was convicted of murder, with brendan behan at hollesley bay borstal in suffolk.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 386 pages and is available in paperback format. The story depicts a young, fervently idealistic behan, who loses his naivete over the three years of his sentence to a juvenile borstal, softening his radical irish republican stance and warming to his british fellow prisoners. Borstal boy by brendan behan, 1958, hutchinson edition. An irish sketchbook, brendan behans new york, the scarperer, confessions of an irish rebel, richards cork leg, and after the wake. Behans beautifully written account of his threeyear stretch in a juvenile detention centre in england. So writes brendan behan, poet, writer and literary legend, of the episode that coloured his life. A member of the ira, he was sentanced to three years in borstal in 1939 and a further fourteen years in 1942. Arrested in liverpool as an agitator for the ira, he. Borstal boy by brendan behan, 9780099706502, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In 1958, behans play in the irish language an giall had its debut at dublins damer theatre. Brendan behan was arrested in liverpool, aged 16, with explosives and the intention of.
The book portrays the authors early rebelliousness, his involvement with the irish republican cause, and his subsequent incarceration for two years in an english borstal, or reformatory, at age 16. Brendan behan is widely regarded as one of the greatest irish writers. After behan s death, borstal boy was adapted for the theatre by frank mcmahon. Borstal boy by brendan behan is a book that ive meant to read for a long time, and i finally got around to it last year. Conditions were primitive, and violence simmered just below the surface. The story depicts a young, fervently idealistic behan, who loses his naivete over the three years. Buy borstal boy arena books new ed by behan, brendan isbn. See all books authored by brendan behan, including borstal boy, and the king of irelands son, and more on. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. After behans untimely death from alcoholism, the book was adapted into a play that debuted at dublins abbey theatre in 1967 and went on to win a new york drama critics circle award in 1970 and a tony award that same year.
Behans autobiographical novel, borstal boy, was published the same year and became a worldwide bestseller. Behan relishes in the companionship of other young men, some in for serious crimes, and seems to get along with even the staff. Brendan behan s death was a tragic waste, but his talent had long been destroyed by success and alcohol. The book shows some of the horrors of prison life but also a lot of the camaraderie that goes on whenever boys get together. Borstal boy makes me laugh out loud and also reminds me of my time in the british royal navy. The book portrays the authors early rebelliousness, his. Publication date 1990 topics general, biography autobiography, behan, brendan, authors, irish, fiction in english 1945 texts publisher arena. Of course, id want the inside track on his remarkable recall and writing habits and whether or not he dissed his admirer, mr. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Autobiographical novel by irish writer brendan behan. Behans version of the third verse of the internationale, from borstal boy, was reproduced on the lp sleeve of dexys midnight runnerss debut album, searching for the. Publication date 1982 topics behan, brendan, 19231964, authors, irish, revolutions publisher boston. Mar 16, 2020 brendan behan, in full brendan francis behan, born feb.
He became a dominant literary figure almost overnight with the 1956 production of his play the quare fellow, based on his prison experiences. Brendan behan has 32 books on goodreads with 9433 ratings. First published after brendan behan s tragic death, confessions of an irish rebel picks up where borstal boy left off. Borstal boy, autobiographical work by irish writer brendan behan, published in 1958. Behan had married beatrice salkeld daughter of the painter cecil salkeld in 1955. One of the young brendan behan s fellow prisoners in the english young peoples prison is a sailor named charlie. Publishers mauve boards, title lettered in silver to spine in pictorial dust jacket designed by b. The first edition of the novel was published in 1958, and was written by brendan behan. Behan, almost from his first step ashore, took to new york, and new york embraced him in turn. First published after brendan behans tragic death, confessions of an irish rebel picks up where borstal boy left off. Free download or read online borstal boy pdf epub book. Borstal boy by brendan behan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
If you are ordering other items, the shipping cost will be consolidated. When brendan behan died in 1964 at the age of 41, he had rung the changes in his short life. Once banned in the irish republic, borstal boy is both a riveting selfportrait and a clear look into the problems, passions, and heartbreak of ireland. Once banned in the irish republic, borstal boy is both a riveting selfportrait and a clear look into the. Legendary irish writer brendan behan, responsible for some of the bestknown and most wise quotes died on this day, march 20, in 1964. Brendan francis aidan behan 1 christened francis behan 2. Brendan behan is widely regarded as one of the greatest irish writers and poets of all time.
Reading is a balm for behan throughout his incarceration. Borstal boy chronicles his time in juvenile detention and his time both among the prisoners and with the guards. The main characters of this european literature, irish literature story are brendan behan. Borstal boy by brendan behan penguin books australia. Without a doubt the most important book of its kind published this century. Brendan behan project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. After behans death, borstal boy was adapted for the theatre by frank mcmahon. Borstal boy is an extremely wellwritten book, full of energy and personality. After he is sentenced and sent to a youth borstal his situation is improved. He was also an irish republican and a volunteer in the irish republican army. Pdf borstal boy book by brendan behan free download 386. Toibin looks at the audi ence and for a shocked in stant, brendan behan, dub lins own darling, roaring boy is among us again. Behan died in 1964, at age 41, of a combination of alcoholism, jaundice, and diabetes.