Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha - Roddy Doyle

The Ha Ha (530 words)
by GodsLittleAngel - written on 06/10/01, updated on 27/10/04 (Very useful, 476 readings)
Rating:

One of the wittiest and sharpest books I have read this year has to be "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha" by Roddy Doyle. In his Barrytown trilogy (The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van), Roddy Doyle brilliantly explored family life through various members of the Rabbite family. These three novels combined comedy and sadness to such effect that they established the author as a major new talent. In "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha" Doyle maintains the Barrytown/Dublin setting but focuses on a different family, and the narrative point of view is changed to a boy of ten - Paddy Clarke - growing up fast and discovering new aspects of childhood as each day passes. ...

A Star Called Henry - Roddy Doyle

Alfie Gandon says helo (177 words)
by Dave Mohican - written on 29/07/01, updated on 27/10/04 (Useful, 1645 readings)
Rating:

you feel that there is more to tell and wish for a sequel What more could you ask for in a book. Roddy Doyle does it again, he works his magic. This is a must have book. ...

A Star Called Henry - Roddy Doyle

Gold star!! (321 words)
by Ezem - written on 19/01/01, updated on 27/10/04 (Useful, 674 readings)
Rating:

I found this book an interesting read from start to finish - the kind of book you read around the house, on the train, walking to work, and don't ever want to put down! It is now among my favourites on the shelf... The main character, Henry, struggles throughout his childhood with a professional thug (doorman for a brothel) for a father and an alcoholic mother. Although his parents clearly dote on their sons, they obviously find life a real struggle amidst the poverty which surrounds them every day. The story develops with Henry caring for his younger brother and he himself basically having to stand on his own two feet from an early age. His father is forced to ...