Riders to the Sea
Riders to the Sea, first performed in Dublin in 1904, is a one-act play by J. M. Synge, set in a cottage on one of the Aran Islands off the west of Ireland, where he had spent several summers. Old Maurya has lost her husband and four sons to the sea; a fifth, Michael, is missing, and clothes taken from a drowned man have just been brought to the house. Her last son, Bartley, insists on crossing to the mainland to sell a horse. In barely half an hour, with the plain speech of the islanders rendered into a stark English, Synge produces a tragedy that has often been compared with the Greeks. It is among the shortest masterpieces of the modern stage. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first act free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Riders to the Sea
Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Riders to the Sea online?
Yes. Riders to the Sea opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Riders to the Sea free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Riders to the Sea is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Riders to the Sea in the public domain?
Yes. Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Riders to the Sea?
About 21 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Riders to the Sea?
Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
