Items related to The Hard Life
Two orphaned boys, Manus and Finbarr, descend into the house of the disputatious Mr. Collopy. This is a tale of growing up in the midst of eccentricity: of Mr. Collopy's mysterious humanitarian work on behalf of women; of his progressive-sounding (and often blasphemous) arguments with his priest, Father Fahrt. Manus quickly proves himself a master of business, teaching people by post to walk the tightrope in Edwardian Dublin. He soon dispatches Collopy on a trip to Rome, seeking relief from the unexpected effects of his eldest charge's attempts at pharmaceuticals. Finbarr, meanwhile, watches and waits, a young boy with only the foggiest notion of the world he is describing...
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About the Author:
Flann O'Brien is the pseudonym of Brian O'Nolan who was born in Co. Tyrone in 1911. He lived in Dublin with his wife until his death in 1966. A graduate of University College, his career as a writer extended from his student days, through his years in the Civil Service and the years following his resignation. His novels include AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS, THE DALKEY ARCHIVE, THE HARD LIFE, THE THIRD POLICEMAN and THE POOR MOUTH.
Review:
"The dialogue is first-rate, as is the Dublin atmosphere; and some of his characters are as rich and yeasty as good porter foaming out of the jar." --Times Literary Supplement
"The real subject and hero of the novel is the English language--or rather, the Irish version of English. It's possible that O'Brien is actually better than Joyce at preserving the qualities of the Irish penchant for wordplay, a convention which often strikes an American audience as outrageous. . . . O'Brien's technique in The Hard Life is supremely economical, reading like a script without the obtrusive stage directions." --City Pages
"Mr. O'Brien's almost callous economy of language, combined with an odd moral sensitivity, renders beastliness truly beastly but also completely funny." --Simon Raven
"The real subject and hero of the novel is the English language--or rather, the Irish version of English. It's possible that O'Brien is actually better than Joyce at preserving the qualities of the Irish penchant for wordplay, a convention which often strikes an American audience as outrageous. . . . O'Brien's technique in The Hard Life is supremely economical, reading like a script without the obtrusive stage directions." --City Pages
"Mr. O'Brien's almost callous economy of language, combined with an odd moral sensitivity, renders beastliness truly beastly but also completely funny." --Simon Raven
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherTownhouse
- ISBN 10 1903650593
- ISBN 13 9781903650592
- BindingPaperback
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Hard Life
Published by
Simon & Schuster Ltd
(2003)
ISBN 10: 1903650593
ISBN 13: 9781903650592
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Paperback
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. new ed edition. 176 pages. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __1903650593
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