Well read

Brilliant narration by the author. I was rooting for Henry from the very beginning.

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Beautiful prose

This book is beautifully written with interesting, original characters interwoven with real life figures and events. It covers the period of Irish history in the early to mid 20th century, with the Easter rebellion and the emergence of the IRA. It is interesting, full of humour and yet at the same time horrifying in places, with moments of poignancy scattered throughout. Excellent.

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Love Roddy Doyle Books

Loved it as a hard back and have re read and listened to it many times since. Fantastically entertaining although the narration isn't always the best.

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Wonderful

I had to slow Roddy’s voice down to fully appreciate this book. It’s was spellbinding.

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Excellent story and narration

Listened with partner and home educated teenager (eek, lots of underage sex!) during the period of the centenary of the Easter Rising. The writing is excellent, like swift poetry, as is Roddy's telling, which regularly went into snippets of song and kept the humour deadpan. I also appreciated, towards the end of the story, the critique of the modern Irish culture yet to come, which took this period of hope and desperation and turned it into something many involved would have cringed at. I was at a commemorative event for the Rising recently when the local mayor ascertained that the leaders of the Rising would have been proud of Ireland as it stands. I doubt it somehow, particularly for those with the harder line Socialist outlook.... Thousands of homeless children and yet so many empty houses and entire empty estates while the government and banks manufacture a mini property bubble, 'the great oil and gas giveaway', the few refugees let in kept in institutions, etc, etc. Personally I see Connolly spinning in his grave.

I very rarely read or listen to fiction but I loved this. Recommend.

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5 people found this helpful

Infatuated

Loved this book the first time I read it! Even better listening to Mr Doyle himself, read it to me!

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Stimulating and educating

The story begins implausibly with a one-legged bouncer but it soon takes off and becomes an exciting story of a young man whose early years are marked by poverty and exclusion. Later he becomes a rebelious hero. Roddy Doyle has gone to a lot of trouble to ensure the historical accuracy of the story.

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Beautifully told.

Drank up every word and finished within a day. Doyle's mix colloquial voice and serious subject matter are perfectly balanced.

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An amazing view of a fascinating time in Ireland

Brilliantly punchy dialogue, intriguing characters. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I w listened to it twice. Having the author narrate the story gives a real feeling of intimacy.

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a must!

A pleasure to listen to , would higly recommend. Roddy Doyle at his finest! beautifully read by the author.

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1 person found this helpful