Dylan Thomas more than does justice to Maureen O’Sullivan’s coming of age on tale on Blasket Island in this unfinished film script adaptation of her book. Thomas died in 1953 (sadly not going gently into that good night), and the unfinished work was discovered and then published posthumously in 1964. It’s not an easy book to find, but I was very happy to discover it in Powell’s City of Books in Portland, hardcover, great shape, and the 1964 edition. He has such a beautiful way with words and poetic sensibility; Twenty Years A-Growing is charming, poignant, and touching.

Just this quote, O’Sullivan’s words actually, explaining the title of the book:
“Did ye never hear how the life of man is divided? Twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining.” ( )