The Field is one of the defining works of twentieth-century Irish drama. Written by John B. Keane and first performed in 1965, it explores land hunger, violence, and the silence of rural communities in the west of Ireland — themes as charged today as when the play was first staged. This edition presents the New Revised Text, edited by Ben Barnes, widely regarded as the authoritative version of the script and the one used for major professional productions.
Published by Mercier Press — Ireland's foremost publisher of Irish literature — this is the edition serious readers and theatre practitioners reach for. The play also inspired the acclaimed 1990 film of the same name starring Richard Harris, bringing Bull McCabe's ferocious struggle for the field to international audiences.
This copy is an honest, well-used reading copy, priced to reflect its condition. It is complete and fully readable — ideal for fans of Irish theatre, John B. Keane collectors working through his catalogue, or students needing access to the revised script without paying new-copy prices.
| Title | The Field |
| Author | John B. Keane |
| Editor | Ben Barnes |
| Publisher | Mercier Press |
| Edition | New Revised Text |
| Format | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Drama / Play |
| Sub-Genre | Irish Literature |
| Topic | Irish Rural Life, Land Ownership, Tragedy |
| Country of Origin | Ireland |
| Book Series | Standalone |
| Department | Adults |
| Condition Grade | Used — Acceptable |
Used — Acceptable. This is an honest reading copy with visible signs of use, priced accordingly.
Cover & Spine: Noticeable wear including creasing, scuffing, and rubbing to all edges and corners. The spine shows crease lines and surface wear. The back cover carries a light horizontal crease.
Pages: All pages present and complete. The text block is sound and fully legible throughout, though pages show general age-toning and a slight waviness consistent with a well-read copy.
Annotations: Handwritten names in red pen appear on the front endpaper ('Michael, Cecellia, Michel, Muff'). Several lines of text are underlined in red pen on at least one interior page.
No missing pages detected. If you need a pristine display copy, this is not it — but as a readable, complete script it does the job perfectly.
Q: Is this the revised text used in modern stage productions, or the original 1965 script?
A: This is the New Revised Text edition, edited by Ben Barnes, which is the version used in contemporary professional productions of the play. It differs in places from the original 1965 text and is widely considered the definitive reading edition.
Q: Are the annotations extensive enough to be distracting when reading?
A: The annotations are relatively light. The handwritten names are confined to the front endpaper, and the red-pen underlining appears on at least one interior page. They do not obscure any text and most readers will find them easy to read past. The main body of the play is unobstructed.
Q: Is the play complete — are there any missing or damaged pages?
A: No missing pages were detected during inspection. The entire text is present and readable from first page to last.
Q: Is this suitable for a student studying Irish drama or using it for a production?
A: Yes. The text is complete and the revised edition is the one most commonly referenced in academic and theatrical contexts. The annotations and cover wear do not affect its suitability as a working script or study text. The price reflects the condition.
Q: Has the book been read, or does it appear to have been stored unused?
A: It has clearly been read and handled. The cover wear, spine creasing, slight page waviness, and interior annotations all point to a copy that has had at least one careful but thorough read-through. It is not a shelf-fresh copy.
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Additional photos are available on request: for instance, a closer look at the front endpaper annotations, the spine wear, or a sample interior page. Just ask and they will be sent promptly.