Beyond the Pale | Beyond the Pale

At a glance:

Author: William Trevor Cox
First Published: 1981
Type of Plot: Domestic realism
Time of Work: 1979
Setting: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Principal Characters: Dorothy Milson (Milly), Major R. B. Strafe, Cynthia Strafe, Dekko Deacon, Mr., Kitty, Unnamed young man
Genres: Short fiction, Domestic realism
Subjects: Suicide, Murder or homicide, England or English people, Violence, Adultery, Hotels, motels, or inns, Card games, Holidays, Terrorism or terrorists, Ireland or Irish people
Locales: Northern Ireland

This tale of four English bridge players who habitually go on a summer holiday excursion to the same lodge in County Antrim, on the coast of Northern Ireland, examines what happens when something disrupts the “casual comedy” to reveal hidden unpleasant undercurrents in their lives. The story's narrator, Milly, insists on the perfection of the ritualized patterns of the foursome. For many years they have spent the first two weeks of June at Glencorn Lodge, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Malseed. She notes approvingly that this year things are just the same as always at the...

Beyond the Pale | Beyond the Pale

At a glance:

The Story

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