One of the most widely read novelists of the twentieth century, James Joyce is famed for his mastery of expression. His unprecedented exploration of the English language, in particular, has made him one of the most influential writers of modern times. This three-act play was first published in 1918; and like much of Joyce's other works, it is an imaginative reconstruction of his own life. In it, Richard Rowan, an Irish writer who has spent much time abroad, feels estranged from Irish society when he returns to Dublin. Focusing on the love entanglements between Rowan; his common-law wife, Bertha; and his friends, the story is requisite reading for devotees of this brilliant author.