Author: Molly Keane

Molly Keane, born Mary Nesta Skrine on July 20, 1904, in County Kildare, Ireland, was a celebrated Irish novelist and playwright known for her sharp wit and vivid depictions of Anglo-Irish life. Writing initially under the pseudonym M.J. Farrell, she began her literary career in the 1920s, drawing heavily on her own experiences within the fading world of the Irish gentry. Her early works, such as "Devoted Ladies" (1934) and "Two Days in Aragon" (1941), display her keen insights into the social nuances and hidden tensions of the time.

After a long hiatus following the death of her husband in 1946, Keane returned to the literary scene in the 1980s, achieving renowned success with her novel "Good Behaviour" (1981), which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Her later works, including "Time After Time" (1983) and "Loving and Giving" (1988), showcase her enduring capability to blend humor with intense, often dark examinations of family and societal dynamics. Keane's contribution to literature is marked by her piercing observations and an elegant yet acerbic prose style, earning her a lasting place among the literary greats of the 20th century. She passed away on April 22, 1996, in Ardeen, Ireland.