r since the publication of her first collection, Tales from Bective Bridge, in 1942, Mary Lavin has been praised for admirably capturing, in intense and lucid stories, the social and psychological reality of mid-20th-century Ireland. Yet, Lavin's sharp insight into the quiet tragedies and joys of human life easily transcends its immediate context, and her work continues to appeal to contemporary readers, both in Ireland and abroad. To celebrate the recent centenary of Mary Lavin's birth, this collection honors one of the leading figures of the Irish short story tradition. Leading critics examine the main themes and stylistic features of Mary Lavin's novels and short stories from a variety of perspectives,