We have to admit the late Mary Lavin passed us by until we heard Colm Tóibín’s most wondrous reading of her story ‘In the Middle of the Fields’ on the New Yorker podcast. It came from a 1961 issue of the magazine and is utterly transfixing. Upon her passing in 1996, the late Eileen Battersby wrote, “In the Middle of the Fields is as moving an examination of vulnerability and loneliness as has ever been written. But then many of Lavin’s stories are among the finest written this century because she understood the fine balance of sympathy, intelligence, humanity and, above all, honesty.”
In the Middle of… is an eclectic mix of original performance to include music, theatre, readings, spoken-word and song, in an exciting celebration of Lavin. Curated by playwright Deirdre Kinahan, a collection of contemporary artists will respond to Lavin’s evocative short story collection ‘In the Middle of the Fields” through their chosen artform. Artists include Steve Wickham (The Waterboys), poet Lewis Kenny and writer Sinead Moriarty.
Rediscover or simply discover one of our most important, and somewhat ignored, writers.
Unitarian Church, Friday January 10, €22.50
