AT SALLYGAP & Other Stories

The author of The House in Clewe Street has here a collection of short stories that will appeal to those who like the stories in The Atlantic rather than The New Yorker or The Post. Her forte is characterization and realism, in contrast to other Irish writers who rely on mood and mysticism. Mary Lavin does not dress up life; her characters stand out from the pages as individuals; but- as in House in Clewe Street -- the whole collection has almost a grey tone. For the essential flavor, try The Will, A Wet Day, Brother Boniface; you went forget the priest or the youngest sister in The will.