Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

Rating:
Summary: unsentimental, enjoyable portrait of child
Review: I preferred to read this book straight through, with no interruptions. When I had to stop, it was easy to slip out of listening carefully to what Paddy had to say. Moved along very smoothly. Just the right amount of detail and very true to how children really get along. Nothing prettied up for you. Stark but not bleak. Paddy handles a difficult life. Very funny, too, in parts.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and achingly sad.
Review: This is, arguably, the most accessible Booker winner. Roddy Doyle's Paddy Clarke makes you laugh, makes you cry. An emotional rollercoaster ride that makes you wish you can gripped your heart to shield the aching sadness.

Rating:
Summary: disappointing award-winner
Review: When Roddy Doyle's Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha was first reviewed in the 1993 New York Times Review of Books, I could not wait to read it. Finally getting to it five years later, I must admit to some disappointment. Doyle tells of ten-year-old Patrick "Paddy" Clark's life in Barrytown, Ireland. The writing is episodic; Doyle goes from scene to scene -- Paddy among his friends; Paddy at school; Paddy with his family -- without any clear plot. Much of what happens is very funny. The concluding chapters -- where the "plot" at last becomes clear -- are sad. Throughout the book, however, I found my attention wandering significantly, and I often could not recall what I had already read when I went to pick it back up (my four-year-old daughter has the habit of at times removing or moving my bookmarks, with predictable results). Others, however, adored this book (it won the 1993 Booker Prize), so I will not disuade anyone from reading it. But for whatever reason, Paddy Clark -- unlike Doyle's marvelous The Snapper -- did not do it for me.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and Entertatining
Review: I was very annoyed to find that some people feel this book has no plot. The plot is clearly building up a believable, often amusing, and constantly entertaining image of childhood, which can then be shattered due to the family rift that occurs towards the end. A semi-autobiography, this book touches on the element of childhood that so many people have forgotten. A clear, beautfiul, amusing, and moving portrait of Irish childhood. Being Irish myself, I find no difficulties comprehending the language, and am dismayed that others presume the Irish author should change his vocabulary for the benefit of his American readers. The Irish words will be at least obvious to any intelligent reader. A favourite book of mine....

Rating:
Summary: Perfectly plotless
Review: In his fourth novel, Doyle takes a leap and enters the mind of a ten year-old boy. Here he presents life as it is lived, with ups and downs, idle chatter, and small trials and triumphs. This important book also serves as a reminder to all of us that children understand more than we think they do. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is the most realistic of both childhood and of Dublin in the 1960's anyone could ask for. Doyle may be short on plot, but he is long on meaning. If you were ever a child, you need to meet Paddy.

Rating:
Summary: An intimate, painful, vivid story I won't soon forget.
Review: I followed Patrick through his tumultuous doings, and felt, as he did, the subtle seismic shiftings and closing in of circumstances that took him out of the charming self-absorption of childhood, forcing him to ponder and try to fix what was going on with the adults in his life. From the freewheeling hooliganism of Paddy and his friends, to the narrowing of his world, to the deeply sad ending, this is an intimate, moving portrait of childhood. I was in tears as Paddy took on the role of 'ref' in his household, as he tried so hard to stay awake night after night. 'Loss of innocence' is an overworked phrase, but this book vividly details the loss of control, of predictability, stability and ease that make up the innocence of childhood.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book!
Review: I disagree with the readers who say this book is not for women. As a woman, I found this book (as I also did Doyle's The Woman Who Walked Into Doors) outstanding. It truly explores the emotions of a 10-year-old boy. Yes, they are different from those of a 10-year-old girl. However, by letting oneself feel what Paddy feels, even a woman can experience the humor, joy, mischief, pride, sense of adventure, and (ultimately) the fears of Paddy Clarke. My only regret was that I could not understand all of the Irish colloquialisms, but I guess it's never too late to learn them!

Rating:
Summary: A perfect book
Review: This book is one of my and my wife's favorite books of all time. It is definitely the best written world-through-the-eyes-of-a-child books I've ever read. It is alternately heartbreaking and hilariously funny. 5 stars isn't enough for this book.

Rating:
Summary: I expected one thing, and came out with alot more..
Review: What can I say about this book. I too was many of the readers who believed there was no plot. I am ashamed that I even thought that. This book was simply amazing. Funny, and sad.. You truly care about Paddy Clarke and his unique way he sees the world. I have never read anything else by Roddy Doyle, only seen the movies. But, if this book is any indication of his style, and insight, I am sure to read more of his stuff. A amazing book. This books is for everyone..

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant journey into the mind of a child
Review: By far Roddy Doyle's greatest novel to date, this brilliantly written, subtly plotted recreation fo childhood well deserved the Booker Prize. It remains the most truly insightfull book I have ever read. Previous reveiws have bemoaned the apparent lack of plot. This seems to suggest that they simply didn't read it all. There is a very strong plot going right through the novel, only it doesn'y take center stage, simply because the narrator - a 10 year old boy - fails to understand what is really happening around him until the very close of the novel, when his innocence is brought to an abrupt end... To say you should read this book is an understatement - you simply must read this book. A masterpiece.