Rating: 
Summary: Don't be fooled by the cute photo on the cover!
Review: This book was advertised in some of the American Irish Papers and the photo looked very cute, and frankly, I could have been one of the kids on the cover, so I picked it up. The novel is PURE pulp set with some cute characters, but this author 'jazzez' up the storyline and makes it 'modern' in a way that is subtle to the modern mind but a fraud and a trick on the reader. This book follows teen and late teen working class (comparitively) large family living in a Dublin apartment. In the tradition of a trite modern movie, good things happen to this 'single mother' 'Agnes' who never had an 'organism' with her late husband because he was like ice upon her back. You gotta throw in the single-mom and sexually underutilized 1970's housewife to sell a novel these days you know. She however, finds fulfillment in a French transplanted pizza maker. This all the while her oldest son, who works for an Austrian Jewish holocau$t refugee and survivor (gotta throw the holocau$t reference in there to make a modern novel you know) and saves the survivors old fashioned handcrafted furniture factory when the English clients want cheap disposable furniture, by making . . . cheap disposable furniture. Along the way, he finds a girlfriend and gets married. The second older son becomes a hairdresser and a homosexual, but Agnes, being the stupid woman, never cathces on even when her gay son dances with his randy boyfriend at the other son's wedding. But the son actually married says the modernist 'Whatever makes you happy?' But the third older son is a skinhead punk (gotta throw the nazi rascism reference in there to sell a modern novel ya' know) He steals money from Agnes, gambles, and helps beat her gay son almost to death with his other skinhead punk friends. We all know that there were *so many* skinheads and beatings in Dublin circa 1973. That is why the whole country, below the 6 counties, had 2 murders a year. The other kid is a shoplifter, the other daughter races a go-kart, all summing up into a completely false and unbelievable tale wrapped in quaint language with some true references to way people act, and still act in some quarters. I think this book's cover is its only high point. I have cut the cover off, by the way. Buy this book with the hopes of scoring a picture, do not expect writing in the style of the McCourts, or as accurately truthful as 'Its a long way from Penny Apples'
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Novel
Review: This is book two of a trilogy, but it was the first one I read because I came across it 60% off at a Crown Bookstore closing. After reading it, I rushed out to read book one, The Mammy, and then went right to book three, The Granny. I actually think that starting with book two was the best way to read this series, as I enjoyed flashing back in book 1 to the past then moving to book 3 for the future. This book is a total wonder. It's comic scenes and dialogue are hilarious. But, it's far from a comic novel as there is human drama woven throughout. The construction of the novel is perfect: it starts in mystery, becomes a brilliantly funny and touching family chronicle, and ends with resolution to its mystery and to all it's plot threads. It will touch your funny bone and your heart: in terms of the joys and love within a family unit; a mother who may not seem to set the best example, but when the chips are down, follows her heart and makes the right decisions; of the diversity of personalities within one family; and, the tragedies that surround us and sometimes destroy our dreams. One scene had me laughing out loud, then the author describes it again, the second time through other charcaters observing the scene, so you get to enjoy the scene twice. This book, along with the other two in the series, reminds us that love is our bond, drama and conflict our shadows, and humor the human soul's struggle to prevail. This is one of the few books that the moment I finished, I started re-reading it -- at least until I could buy the other two books in the series. I keep a shelf at home with my "Hall of Fame" of favorite books. This book went onto that shelf the moment I turned the last page. And, I can't wait to start over turning its pages once again.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Novel
Review: This is book two of a trilogy, but it was the first one I read because I came across it 60% off at a Crown Bookstore closing. After reading it, I rushed out to read book one, The Mammy, and then went right to book three, The Granny. I actually think that starting with book two was the best way to read this series, as I enjoyed flashing back in book 1 to the past then moving to book 3 for the future. This book is a total wonder. It's comic scenes and dialogue are hilarious. But, it's far from a comic novel as there is human drama woven throughout. The construction of the novel is perfect: it starts in mystery, becomes a brilliantly funny and touching family chronicle, and ends with resolution to its mystery and to all it's plot threads. It will touch your funny bone and your heart: in terms of the joys and love within a family unit; a mother who may not seem to set the best example, but when the chips are down, follows her heart and makes the right decisions; of the diversity of personalities within one family; and, the tragedies that surround us and sometimes destroy our dreams. One scene had me laughing out loud, then the author describes it again, the second time through other charcaters observing the scene, so you get to enjoy the scene twice. This book, along with the other two in the series, reminds us that love is our bond, drama and conflict our shadows, and humor the human soul's struggle to prevail. This is one of the few books that the moment I finished, I started re-reading it -- at least until I could buy the other two books in the series. I keep a shelf at home with my "Hall of Fame" of favorite books. This book went onto that shelf the moment I turned the last page. And, I can't wait to start over turning its pages once again.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Touching Book
Review: While "Mammy" was a laugh out loud book, the "Chisellers", while not lacking humor, was a compelling, touching tears-in-the-eyes book. Can hardly wait to read "The Granny". I hope Mr. O'Carroll continues his writing.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Touching Book
Review: While "Mammy" was a laugh out loud book, the "Chisellers", while not lacking humor, was a compelling, touching tears-in-the-eyes book. Can hardly wait to read "The Granny". I hope Mr. O'Carroll continues his writing.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Touching Book
Review: While "Mammy" was a laugh out loud book, the "Chisellers", while not lacking humor, was a compelling, touching tears-in-the-eyes book. Can hardly wait to read "The Granny". I hope Mr. O'Carroll continues his writing.
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