Helpful Score: 2
This book evoked many emotions in me. I find it amazing that this man can write so poignantly in a woman's voice. I found the abuse difficult to read but overall enjoyed this book. I love his sense of humor and as a woman can remember and relate to many emotions that Paula experienced throughout her life. I will be reading more of Roddy Doyle in future.
Helpful Score: 2
A good novel about a 39 year old Irish woman who is a wife, mother and works as a housecleaner.
She tells her life story from childhood thru marriage showing her strengths and vulnerabilities.
She tells her life story from childhood thru marriage showing her strengths and vulnerabilities.
Helpful Score: 2
This was an interesting and fast read. And it certainly had a clear, Irish voice. It really painted a portrait of this woman, Paula Spencer. It seemed like Roddy Doyle had seen a photograph of this scarred, missing-toothed cleaning woman, who had somehow retained a sense of beauty - either past or present and then managed to capture her story. I guess that's what the entire book felt like to me - a photograph, a window into someone's soul.
I am very interested in reading the sequel, _Paula Spencer_, since it didn't seem like a sequel would be necessary by the end of it. There were, of course, unanswered questions - why did Carmel hate her father so? What happened to Paula's older son? And perhaps those are the types of questions that will be addressed in the sequel...
I am very interested in reading the sequel, _Paula Spencer_, since it didn't seem like a sequel would be necessary by the end of it. There were, of course, unanswered questions - why did Carmel hate her father so? What happened to Paula's older son? And perhaps those are the types of questions that will be addressed in the sequel...
Helpful Score: 2
Wow, what a powerful book. It is an autobiographical story of a womans childhood, marriage, and motherhood from birth to middle age. She lives in Dublin, in a part of the city that seems to have little money or possessions. The first part of her childhood is pleasant, but once she hits high school, she falls into bad habits, and rough company. She marries a man she loves, but her marriage is marred by intense spousal abuse. As a result of her trauma, she falls into alcoholism. The whole book is powerful, raw, really emotional, not a calming book. I found it a quick read, even though it was disturbing. I loved it.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best books I have ever read. It will have you in tears all throughout. You can really feel the main character (Paula) and the train of thought writing was well done and something I really enjoyed. Don't pass on this book!
