The Ante-Room

Ireland, 1880 and a prosperous, provincial family observes the three great autumnal feasts of the Church. As Teresa Mulqueen lies dying, her family gather round her and beneath this drama another, no less poignant, unfolds. Unmarried daughter Agnes awaits the return of her sister Marie-Rose and brother-in-law Vincent. She adores her sister, but secretly, pasionately, loves Vincent. And their marriage, she knows, is unhappy...Ahead lies a terrible battle between her uncompromising faith and the intensity of her love. In this delicately imagined novel, originally published in 1934, Kate O'Brien lays bare the struggles between personal need and the Catholic faith with the sympathy and insight which is the hallmark of her craft.

“"A grave and beautiful story, exquisitely composed and cut to a jewel-like fineness"”

'A grave and beautiful story, exquisitely composed and cut to a jewel-like fineness' DAILY TELEGRAPH *'A gem of a novel' TAMSIN HARGREAVES

Kate O'Brien (1897-1974), one of Ireland's greatest and best-loved writers, was born in Limerick. As well as writing plays, travel and biography, she published nine wonderful novels.

From Monty Python and The Matrix to Casablanca and A Clockwork Orange , popular films offer surprisingly perceptive insights into complex philosophical concepts. Introducing Philosophy Through Film combines this novel pedagogical approach with all the virtues of a serious introductory anthology of classical and contemporary philosophical readings. The result is an engaging and effective way to fire the imagination of those new to philosophy. Drawing on a wide range of popular and easily accessible films - along with the ideas of a diverse selection of historical and contemporary thinkers - this book introduces many of the central areas of philosophical concern, including perception, philosophy of mind, ethics, religion, free will, determinism, and more. Chapter by chapter, the editors offer a discussion of relevant film clips to help illuminate and demystify the philosophical arguments and positions raised in the anthology's readings. By merging the cinematic and philosophical worlds, Introducing Philosophy Through Film provides a uniquely effective way for beginning students to engage with philosophy and gain insights into the human mind.

It is the Eve of All Saints, 1880, and Teresa Mulqueen lies dying. Her family gathers round her, and beneath this sad scene another drama, no less poignant, unfolds. In this house of stillness and shadow, her daughter Agnes anxiously awaits the return of her sister Rose-Marie and brother-in-law Vincent. Agnes adores her sister, but secretly, passionately loves Vincent--and she knows their marriage is foundering. Ahead lies a terrible battle between her uncompromising religious faith and the intensity of her love.

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