But it does not follow a straight chronology and is much more of a reflection from the author’s advancing years (he was in his early ‘60s when he wrote it) that joins up different elements and episodes of his life. In theory it ranges over much of the same chronological time, that is the late thirties, forties, fifties and sixties – the adolescence and early professional life of the author. Out After Dark is a companion piece – rather than a sequel – to Home Before Night. the playwright author’s gift of language and apparently total recall makes his account of growing up in the thirties and forties absolutely irresistible’”. The author’s crystal-clear recollections, recounted with sparkling humour and immediacy, and the vast array of colourful characters combine to create an engaging and enthralling read…. The Sunday Telegraph: “A tour de force of prose which captures all the poetry and drama of a child’s experience of Dublin in the thirties and forties. The Times (London) wrote: “He has the simplicity and genius of Dylan Thomas and Brendan Behan … If you want to look at the South Dublin working class of the thirties and forties, here it is – a childhood that anyone would envy”. Home Before Night was widely acclaimed on publication: The work is written alternately in the first and third person which enables the author to vary his perspective and to recount the more emotionally difficult episodes of his childhood. The tone and style are set by the famous opening words “My grandmother made dying her life’s work”. It is an evocation of a time, place and community that surrounded Jack’s early years in Dalkey and the Irish Land Commission. While usually described as an autobiography, it is more than the standard account of the author’s life. Home Before Night covers Jack Keyes Byrne (Hugh Leonard)’s early life and adulthood to the point when he makes the decision to leave a steady job in the civil service to work full time as a writer.

Hugh Leonard wrote two acclaimed autobiographical works, Home Before Night and Out After Dark. This page details his work that was published in book format.

Many of his satirical columns and essays were anthologised. Hugh Leonard wrote memoirs, novels and a large number of essays and articles, book, theatre, film and television reviews.

Home before night by hugh leonard