Apr 16, 2003 10:13 PM
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(Updated Apr 16, 2003 10:16 PM)
I recently read PADDY CLARKS HA HA HA that was written by Roddy Doyle in 1995.
I found a paper back copy of the Book in a Used Book Store and bought it for $2.00 CAD CAD. It has 228 pages.
MY REVIEW:
The story begins in the 1960's and is told by Paddy Clarke. He is 10 years old and lives in one of the working class areas of Dublin, Ireland.
He lives with his Mother, Father, a younger Brother named Francis, (nicknamed Sinbad) and two Baby Sisters.
Every night Paddy is awaken by his Parents fighting. He keeps whimpering, ''Stop''. Unfortunately that doesn't help because his Parents aren't in love with each other any more. His Father is always drunk and committing adultery.
Paddy and his Friends, (Aiden, Kevin and Liam), rush through the Streets of the Barrytown District as they bulled each other. I suspect they really didn't want to. They wander through the green hill sides during the summer.
They were like all young Boys of that age playing Cowboys and Indians, writing their name on the cement of the newly paved Streets and making a hot water bottle explode!
The Boys even had a Viking Funeral for some dead rats!
Sinbad is the focal point of their bulling and teasing. This is because Paddy has begun to have mood swings and has started to mimic his Fathers actions. His Father doesn't like this and tries to keep away from Paddy.
Then Paddy decides that instead of following in his Fathers footsteps he begins to criticize him.
When Paddy gets older he meets a Policeman called Charles Leavy and he becomes his hero.
This is where I'll end my tale because I never tell the end of a Book.
THE AUTHOR:
''Roddy Dole was born in 1958 in Dublin, Ireland. His first Novel was called ''The Commitments'', (1987), and you may have seen the movie made from this Book.
He is married and has two Children. He worked as an English and Geography teacher at Greendale Community School, in Kilbarrack, North Dublin. Today he only spends his days writing Books. ''
AWARDS:
This Book won the Booker Prize in 1993. This award is given to the best writer, (that the Judges believe), in the British Commonwealth.
MY THOUGHTS:
This Novel was a brilliant account of Paddy and his Family. I found it was funny, humbling, (when Paddy was at School) and sentimental.
I found this Book was easy to read and even though many of the words had an Irish lilt they weren't complicated and I understood the meaning.
If you haven't read this Book yet I highly recommend it to you.
ISBN# 0436201356
Comments are always welcome.
©LL2003
