In this second volume of his study of novelist Lawrence Durrell, Richard Pine examines Durrell's contribution to the development of the modern novel. He concentrates in particular on the evidence of Durrell's private notebooks and diaries in which his propensity for Eastern philosophy underpins his lifelong determination to provide a climax to a lifetime's writing with the creation, in "The Avignon Quintet", of what he calls "a Tibetan novel".

This is a completely revised and updated version of Pine's 1990 study, Brian Friel and Ireland's Drama. It is written with the cooperation of Friel himself and includes assessments of all his recent work, including Molly Sweeny, Give Me Your Answer, Do!, and the film version of Dancing at Lughnasa. It also includes an assessment of Friel as a post-colonial writer, an analysis of Friel's short stories, and the influence of music and magic on the plays. Includes extensive notes and bibliography. Richard Pine is one of Ireland's leading critics and lecturers.