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goodem9199's review against another edition
5.0
Roddy Doyle is definately not known or loved by enough people. His writing is absolutely lyrical.
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The first half was disappointing, but the stories became more interesting - with a better balance of pathos, humor, and clarity toward the end. The last 4 are with reading.
beemini's review against another edition
1.0
I usually like Roddy Doyle, but this was one depressing story after another. I stopped halfway through. Sorry Roddy. Not your best.
bgg616's review against another edition
3.0
The stories center on middle aged men, full of regrets. A bit of a downer.
rachelini's review against another edition
2.0
It's kind of unfair rating this book, because I wouldn't have bothered reading it if I'd realized it was short stories, since I rarely enjoy short stories. But I read it anyway - I had it from the library, I'd read everything else, I love Roddy Doyle, and it was light enough to carry around. And it was fine, but nothing more. Or maybe it's better to say that I liked the first story, but all the stories felt quite similar (scenes of a middle-aged family man), and they weren't interesting enough to me to bear the repetition. I'd have prefered to have read an extended version of one of the stories.
jodyjsperling's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll most likely forget all of the stories in this book, not that any were poorly written, but they were everyday enough to blend into the oeuvre of literary fiction. However, the vampire story is an exception. I loved every move in that story. It was perfect.
elettraelettra's review against another edition
4.0
Ancora una volta Roddy Doyle non si è smentito. Per me è uno di quei rari autori da lista della spesa, se anche la pubblicassero, riuscirei a farmela piacere.
Adoro il modo in cui scrive i monologhi interni e non riesco ancora a decidere se i dialoghi li scrive ugualmente bene o ancora meglio.
Consigliato: sì!
Adoro il modo in cui scrive i monologhi interni e non riesco ancora a decidere se i dialoghi li scrive ugualmente bene o ancora meglio.
Consigliato: sì!
renee_pompeii's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, universally relevant set of stories about getting older. Reflects and ruminates upon relationships, marriage, parenthood, and aging. Do yourself a favor if you're not Irish--listen to the audio. Read by Lorcan Cranitch, it really brings the whole thing alive and only enhanced my enjoyment of the work of one of my all-time favorite Irish authors.
linda_edwards's review against another edition
3.0
I have read most of Roddy Doyle's books I found that this was the weakest. They were nice little stories but I was left wanting more. My favourite one was Funerals but the one that will stick in my mind is Blood - so gross.
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