John McGahern

Set in 1950s rural Ireland, this is a powerful story of the relationship between father and so. Amid emigration and war, John Doyle’s feud with Ben Moran resurfaces after Ben’s son dies in Korea. As John's son Eamon falls for Una Moran, old hatreds threaten young love in a tragic, modern Romeo and Juliet tale.

Joe and Kate Ruttledge have returned from London to live and work among the small, close-knit community near to where Joe grew up. Now deeply embedded in life around the lake, the drama of a year in their lives and those of the memorable characters around them unfolds through the rituals of work, play and the passing seasons as this enclosed world becomes an everywhere.

Rigid nationalist Reilly's frustration at the last remains of British rule draws him to the Rockingham Shoot, where a violent incident occurs.