ari__s's review against another edition
3.0
I was pleased to find that this book didn't drag on for me. I appreciated the author's efforts to capture the disorganized thinking and behavior of adolescents in even a third person narration, and still managed to keep the narration from becoming cumbersome. Instead, it held that gem quality of being slightly deranged, nonsensical, and deeply heartfelt - all qualities I would expect to find, particularly in such an in-depth and lengthy epic of adolescence. I felt compassion and supreme irritation toward each character uniquely, which is imperative for anyone reading about 14-year-olds (they're SUPPOSED to be annoying; if they're not then it's an unrealistic account). And that this novel wasn't confined to the painful, glorious growth of the youth, but incorporated the failings and successes of the adult characters as well, allowing key players to be multi-dimensional and real, contributed strongly to the overall story arch. I kept describing this book to people as 'Nick Hornby-esque', which I maintain is a fairly accurate comparison.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
5.0
First, I will NEVER be able to think of Robert Frost the same way again... Second, there is a whole lot of stuff going on in this book but some how it manages to all tie together and work. I bought it on a whim when it was on sale. Glad I did, it was really good.
This part hit just a little too close to home though..
"I can't do this anymore...
What?
I'm so sorry Howard says in a strangulated voice
A some pre-conscience level she must already know what's coming because she feels like she's been punched in the stomach, there's no air in her lungs, she does not seem able to breathe new air in. Not now she thinks, not now. But the next thing he is babbling to her about Robert Graves and Halloween, wild horses and global warming. A substitute geography teacher who drinks cosmopolitans. It descends on Haley in a rain and before she unpick the sense of it the blood has drained from her face, her fingers buzz with lightness, and a part of her is thinking of feminism. A part of her is thinking of all the women who fought for their rights and feeling ashamed for letting them down because as the story of his infidelity unspools, she feels only an agonizing crumbling, a horrible, literal disintegration, as if she is turned into slush and cascading all over the floor.
He tells her that he does know how he feels, he doesn't know what he wants, and all she wants is for mop her up and gather her together as she was. She wants to plead and beg and cry so he will unsay what he's just said, hold her in his arms, tell her that nothing has changed, that everything is all right.
But of course that is not what happens."
This part hit just a little too close to home though..
"I can't do this anymore...
What?
I'm so sorry Howard says in a strangulated voice
A some pre-conscience level she must already know what's coming because she feels like she's been punched in the stomach, there's no air in her lungs, she does not seem able to breathe new air in. Not now she thinks, not now. But the next thing he is babbling to her about Robert Graves and Halloween, wild horses and global warming. A substitute geography teacher who drinks cosmopolitans. It descends on Haley in a rain and before she unpick the sense of it the blood has drained from her face, her fingers buzz with lightness, and a part of her is thinking of feminism. A part of her is thinking of all the women who fought for their rights and feeling ashamed for letting them down because as the story of his infidelity unspools, she feels only an agonizing crumbling, a horrible, literal disintegration, as if she is turned into slush and cascading all over the floor.
He tells her that he does know how he feels, he doesn't know what he wants, and all she wants is for mop her up and gather her together as she was. She wants to plead and beg and cry so he will unsay what he's just said, hold her in his arms, tell her that nothing has changed, that everything is all right.
But of course that is not what happens."
liedora's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I’ve read written by this Author and, I’ll say this upfront, I’ll probably be hunting down some more of his books to read.
The whole book is centred on a group of teenage boys, one of whom dies within the first few pages. However, this is not the last we read about this character as the book covers events leading up to the moment of his death. Teenage boys are a totally different species to any walking the earth and the Author manages to catch their peculiarities perfectly in his character building. He covers all those one would meet at a boarding school from the bookish to priests to parents, bullies and beyond; he then brings them to life and throws them into a story that grabs the reader from the very first. The Author is able to capture their adolescent humour, their obvious obsession with anything remotely female (this being an all boy’s school) and set it down in a way that appeals to all readers. Each of the characters is written skilfully, pulling on the different personality and traits that can be found in a variety of guises in this age group. As a parent myself I remember my own son going through his teenage years and I picked him out of the crowd with no difficulty, along with a bevy of his ‘associates’. The Author has managed to capture the classroom antics, attitude towards the teachers and classmate banter so well that there is no character that stands out from the others as the main protagonist; not even ‘Skippy’
This is by no means a ‘Lord of the Flies’ type book, and I would defy anyone not to be caught up in the humour of everything in this easy read. Despite there being a huge number of characters, major themes and plot points the Author is able to juggle them all seamlessly and well. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a light and humourous read.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2015/10/26/review-skippy-dies-paul-murray/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
The whole book is centred on a group of teenage boys, one of whom dies within the first few pages. However, this is not the last we read about this character as the book covers events leading up to the moment of his death. Teenage boys are a totally different species to any walking the earth and the Author manages to catch their peculiarities perfectly in his character building. He covers all those one would meet at a boarding school from the bookish to priests to parents, bullies and beyond; he then brings them to life and throws them into a story that grabs the reader from the very first. The Author is able to capture their adolescent humour, their obvious obsession with anything remotely female (this being an all boy’s school) and set it down in a way that appeals to all readers. Each of the characters is written skilfully, pulling on the different personality and traits that can be found in a variety of guises in this age group. As a parent myself I remember my own son going through his teenage years and I picked him out of the crowd with no difficulty, along with a bevy of his ‘associates’. The Author has managed to capture the classroom antics, attitude towards the teachers and classmate banter so well that there is no character that stands out from the others as the main protagonist; not even ‘Skippy’
This is by no means a ‘Lord of the Flies’ type book, and I would defy anyone not to be caught up in the humour of everything in this easy read. Despite there being a huge number of characters, major themes and plot points the Author is able to juggle them all seamlessly and well. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a light and humourous read.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2015/10/26/review-skippy-dies-paul-murray/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
clmckinney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book follows a group of teenagers at an Irish boarding school. It is set in the 2000s. We see the struggles of these kids. It is a coming of age novel. This book is marked with much Paul Murray signatures like high drama, villainous characters, and over the top situations. I did like this book, but I have to say, I felt the main character of Skippy was overly taxed with horrible life situations. Whether this was to elicit more sympathy from the reader, I don't know, but it felt overly contrived. I also think, this could have been shortened considerably. Nothing against long books, as long as they use their pages wisely. When the reading becomes a chore, it is not a good experience for the reader. I give this one a 4/5.
hadleysbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
gersonswhistle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kcollopy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
remarkableinchworm's review against another edition
3.0
A good reminder that the world is - very regularly - an absolutely, devastatingly awful place. As such, I'm not at all sure if I enjoyed reading this.
nappower's review against another edition
5.0
thoroughly enjoyed this. it snap crackle pops with life and humor and tenderness. very boy story and irish, stars donuts, string theory and you know, those life lessons