miamia1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Interesting book, likeable characters and interesting plot
claire60's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting slice of Northern Irish life and how Belfast has changed through the years, told from the perspective of Herbie, an unremarkable man living a quiet life in East Belfast. I enjoyed the witty explorations of life in that part of Belfast and the resilience of the people. Herbie as the main character just about carries the book, especially as he delicately takes care of his daughter, however, my hope for a point or some movement in the end was sadly thwarted.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Glenn Patterson is an inveterate chronicler of Belfast, past and present. There are many hilarious moments in this novel, and many "inside" jokes that will engage those who know this city well.
Herbie has lost his wife to another man and divorce. Then he loses his job to persistent downsizing that reduces an office of dozens to two and then none. He has few friends, but those who've known him for most of his life stick by him.
My favorite parts of the novel were those that ridiculed and sometimes became furious at the new waves of tourism. Many of the "offenders" were American, and those episodes are the funniest. Since 2016, the last time I spent time in Belfast in the summer. If there were cruise ships off loading hundreds (maybe thousands) of foreign tourists at a time, I was lucky to miss them. I am not a fan of this form of travel. Not because of the latest fiascos with COVID-19, but because I have learned both first hand, and from reports, that they bring little income to the places they descend on, and create problems for the locals. I could go on, but I won't. There are three big attractions for tourists in Northern Ireland and Belfast : 1) the Titantic Museum, 2) Game of Thrones, and 3) Troubles Tourism. As a person who spent time in Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast, over five visits, I am very uncomfortable with this last diversion. There is one rant in the novel about Americans who pose in front of murals commemorating those years as if they were at Disney World.
A book not to be missed by fans of Patterson, and readers who love Belfast.
Herbie has lost his wife to another man and divorce. Then he loses his job to persistent downsizing that reduces an office of dozens to two and then none. He has few friends, but those who've known him for most of his life stick by him.
My favorite parts of the novel were those that ridiculed and sometimes became furious at the new waves of tourism. Many of the "offenders" were American, and those episodes are the funniest. Since 2016, the last time I spent time in Belfast in the summer. If there were cruise ships off loading hundreds (maybe thousands) of foreign tourists at a time, I was lucky to miss them. I am not a fan of this form of travel. Not because of the latest fiascos with COVID-19, but because I have learned both first hand, and from reports, that they bring little income to the places they descend on, and create problems for the locals. I could go on, but I won't. There are three big attractions for tourists in Northern Ireland and Belfast : 1) the Titantic Museum, 2) Game of Thrones, and 3) Troubles Tourism. As a person who spent time in Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast, over five visits, I am very uncomfortable with this last diversion. There is one rant in the novel about Americans who pose in front of murals commemorating those years as if they were at Disney World.
A book not to be missed by fans of Patterson, and readers who love Belfast.
musingintrovert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
This would make a good "slice of life" indie film.
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