Rating: 
Summary: let's wallow in suffering some more!
Review: If you want to learn about Irish history then read a history book. If you want to learn it through the eyes of a depressing, amoral, pitiful, continually swearing fictional character named Henry then by all means this is the book for you. I suppose 'artistically' this is a well written novel but I just don't see any enjoyment in wallowing in well written discriptions of disgusting poverty and having to see the F-word several times a page. I'm beginning to think most Irish writers are simply engaged in a contest of topping one another in describing baseness in all phases of human existence. We all know it exists (poverty and suffering...etc.), we all know children are suffering all over the world but I just don't see the entertainment and productivity of continually wallowing in it and noone seems to do that better than the Irish author. Let's do something about it rather than visit it again and again and again in vivid detail. Let's get over it and move on... If you've already smelled and inhaled the stench this book conjures up so artistically well I suggest a couple of Alice Taylor's books for the brighter and positive side of Irish life which also existed and exists. We need more of that. But unfortunately it seems dwelling on the experience of pitiful suffering appeals most to the angst of many of the most talented writers. Don't ask me.
Rating: 
Summary: Profound depression...
Review: That's the only real way to react to this book.The story itself is sad enough: a kid born into poverty, denied education, drawn to revolution, and then betrayed by it. What makes it more sad is to look at Ireland and see just how much today's Ireland reflects the power grabs that went on during the War of Independence and the following Civil War, and have continued ever since. Ireland today is ruled by an elite that comes directly from the 1916-1923 period. Until the mid 1980's your only real political choices were Fine Gael and Fine Fail, two centrist parties whose only difference was over the 1922 peace treaty with England. Both parties favor a strong central government, with all the evils strong central government brings - see Charley Haughey for a recent example. Having grown up in, and run screaming from, Ireland, I can see Henry's growing enlightenment, which becomes my enlightenment and causes me then to reflect on Irish history from 1923 to the present day, and see just how much of it has been driven by power-hungry animals out to do well for themselves at the expense of all others. And don't get me going about Irish anti-semitism. It's enough to break your heart.
Rating: 
Summary: From an Irish¿s aspect of War, IRA and Life¿
Review: Roddy Doyle amazed me with his style with this attempt. Henry Smart is an unique and intriguing character. The main story set in Dublin from 1901(when henry was born) to 1921(when the story ended with Henry merely 20). Henry is a star of the book, He has an extraordinary life. He become a solider at 14,prepared to die for Ireland, then later an IRA who work for Michael Collins, marries his teacher, Miss O'shea, has a daughter called Freedom and particular been through everything in his teen. This book's written with numerous historical references from various sources as stated in the epilogue . Clearly showed Doyle's sincerity and passion. Doyle cleverly mixed his fiction with historical events and people make this book highly readable and fascinating. He showed the another side of Irish. This bitter sweet story is filled with sentiment,passion and sensibility.
Rating:
Summary: An Astonishing New Step for Roddy Doyle
Review: One of the great perils for successful authors must be that point when they decide to 'stretch' their creative wings. The horror writers pens an introspective character study (Stephen King - ROADWORK). The English satirist attempts an American crime novel (Martin Amis - NIGHT TRAIN). The crime novelist delves into science fiction (Walter Mosley - BLUE LIGHT). At times like this, the fan base holds its collective breath, hoping for the best, fearing the worst. After all, why mess with a good thing? A STAR CALLED HENRY, thank God, is one of the good ones. Great ones actually. Previously, Irish novelist Roddy Doyle has focused his talents on life in modern-day Ireland. His works have been small character studies, with simple plots that come alive through Doyle's ear for dialogue and eye for intriguing themes. PADDY CLARKE HA HA HA, while considered a departure from his BARRYTOWN TRILOGY novels of blue collar Irish, was nevertheless a similar sort of story. A very small, intimate view of remarkable characters. But A STAR CALLED HENRY takes Doyle into the new realms of historical fiction. In a story that can only be described as 'epic', Doyle traces the formative years of Henry Smart, street urchin turned IRA assassin, living at the beginning of the 20th century, as Ireland began to revolt against its English rulers. Henry's beginnings show that Doyle has not traded his gift of characterization for narrative sweep. Henry's starts his tale before he was conceived, as his well-meaning but young mother falls in love with Henry Senior, a one-legged bouncer and hitman. With terrific economy of style, Doyle manages to convey both the excitement and desperation of Henry's life. After his abandonment by his father (in a heart-wrenching scene of loneliness and betrayal), Henry takes to the streets. But lest the reader believe that Doyle will begin to cultivate Henry as a loveable pickpocket a la OLIVER TWIST, the subject matter ensures that Henry's path will be a dark one. As the years pass, and Henry grows into quite the ladies man (at 14 years old, no less), he becomes embroiled in the quickening Irish rebellion. He becomes a hitman for the cause, and a student of famous IRA leaders, most notably Michael Collins. He also marries Miss O'Shea, his elementary school teacher (for about two days), and together they begin to rewrite Irish history. As I said, Doyle has not lost his knack for characters. Henry is a true original, a vicious killer and confused young boy. His relationship with Miss O'Shea is touching, if slightly bizarre. His continued search for elements of his past through his book-reading Granny is a plot device of startling originality. But Doyle also shows his new-found maturity as a writer in his mixture of fact and fiction. He expertly traces the IRA rebellion, from its admirable roots to its disheartening failures. It is not an exhaustive examination; Henry himself is not one of the top men. But enough information is given to enable the uninformed reader to understand the situation. Doyle might have been tempted to flood the reader with names, dates, and events, but he wisely avoids the trap of simply listing famous events and putting Henry in the middle of them. Every scene has a purpose. While the revolution may be the backdrop, it is first and foremost Henry's story. Doyle has proclaimed that A STAR CALLED HENRY is only the first volume in a planned epic entitled THE LAST ROUNDUP. While I eagerly await the second volume, I am also cautiously afraid. A STAR CALLED HENRY might be best left as a stand-alone novel. Thinking of Larry McMurtry's LONESOME DOVE quartet (a terrific set, really, but arguably shouldn't have continued past STREETS OF LAREDO), I can only hope that Doyle keeps up the same level of quality. Henry Smart is too fine a character to appear in sub-par sequels.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Anyone With an Interest in Irish History
Review: Doyle masterfully blends historical detail with the brilliantly conceived narrative of Henry Smart. His voice, diction and tone are perfect for this story. There is also a disturbingly exciting parallel with the modern-day Provisional IRA / Real IRA difficulties. So if you have even a passing curiosity about the history of this part of the world, this will be a facinating read for you.
Rating:
Summary: Poverty and neglect breed rage...we should all know that.
Review: Although few authors could handle the premise of this book as well, this story could have been set in Watts or Freetown, Sierra Leone, Kosovo..or maybe even your backyard. That is heavy food for thought. Roddy Doyle is gifted...I will always read his next book; he has yet to disappoint me. His fictional character, Henry Smart, is encouraged to use the cunning he learned trying to survive the mean streets of Dublin...and the rage that kind of life breeds against the English in the fight for Ireland's independence. He fought and won many battles only to discover he had traded one master for another and was still just a pawn in the struggle for power.
Rating:
Summary: It shines!
Review: Henry Smart, born in Dublin, is enraged from birth. He wants to be noticed and nurtured by his parents. His mother, too busy having other children, becomes heavily dependent on alcohol. His one-legged father is much too involved with his job as an occasional hit man and bouncer for a fancy brothel. As a very young child, Henry takes to living on the streets with his even younger brother Victor. The beginning of A STAR CALLED HENRY is reminiscent of how Frank McCourt describes childhood poverty in Ireland. The difference is that Henry Smart becomes infuriated by it. From the anger with which Henry is born, to his developing philosophy of terrorism, through his cold-blooded and feelingless executions, the story leaves the reader shuddering. At times it becomes hard to read because it presents the idea of a terrorist and murderer as protagonist. Doyles uses short clipped sentences and phrases to keep the action hopping. Because the reader becomes so involved with Henry, it's difficult to know whether to root for him or against him. As in other Doyle novels, the author does a terrific job of capturing the flavor of Ireland as well as pentrating deep within an individual's psyche. Even if the reader lacks specific knowledge about the Irish Rebellion, the turmoil of warring factions (and even factions within factions) is captured so well. Here is an engaging read not to be missed for any Doyle fan.
Rating:
Summary: Re: A Star Called Roddy Doyle
Review: This book is simply amazing. It's written with a colossal amount of cognizance and understanding of the problems in Ireland of the last century. Having only discovered the wonder that is Roddy Doyle (apart from the The Commitments) it's reassuring to know a great presence in literature still thrives. After the occasional snippets I read out to my girl - she's now commandeered it and enjoying it thoroughly. Well written.
Rating: 
Summary: How Revolutions Eat Their Children
Review: Those having enjoyed "the Barrytown Trilogy" and "Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha", will find this work an abrupt departure from the style and tone of Doyle's earlier works. Though the other novels incorporate a degree of light heartedness and humor, they are also include substantical characteristically melancholy Irish personal interactions. However, this book's following "The Woman Who Walked into Doors" will lead Doyle devotees to conclude that the author has moved to focus on darker, more morose depictions of human behavior. While Doyle's other works are easy reads, surreal aspects of the first part of this book, wraught with symbolism, challenge the ability to "get into it" or to sustain interest. This section focuses on the seamy, unsavory, and just plain revolting aspects of Dublin slum life in the late nineteenth century. I found that the overstatement not only left me with a queasy feeling but undermined the reality of what Doyle attempted to portray. The remainder of the novel is both educational and insightful. Those lacking familiarity with the Irish Easter Rebellion and subsequent civil war will probably have difficulty appreciating what is being described and conveyed. However, despite a considerably amount of distracting hyperbole (e.g.: Henry's superhuman height, strength, maturity, sexual prowess) the book offers some profound observations which transcend the period and events being described. Doyle accurately describes the Irish revolution as being only a revolt, where the British bureaucracy and petty bourgeoise was replaced by a nearly identical Irish counterparts, and that the opportunity for such superficial changes was what motivated many in the Irish uprising. He reflects how access to power subverts guiding principles (if they ever in fact existed) corrupts those who might have initially been led by noble objectives, and prompts colleagues to ruthlessly abandon and attempt to crush former comrades who might now stand in the way of their material advancement. Apt, but chilling and depressing observations on government, society and human relations. This is a powerful book, but the excessive overstatement, symbolism, and hyperbole detract from the profound and crucial observations.
Rating:
Summary: Story redeems itself by the end
Review: I have to admit I didn't hold out too much hope of finishing this book about a hundred pages in. It had been given to me as a gift, and having never read Roddy Doyle before I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about. The premise sounded promising enough; A young boy in Ireland who grows up to become an I.R.A. terrorist. The book is broken into four sections beginning with his impoverished childhood that could be gleaned directly from the world of Frank McCourt, to his young retirement at the battered and weary age of twenty. Where the book almost lost me was his bloody recounting of the 1916 Easter Day Massacre. This section of the book starts literally with a bang in an almost cinematic vision of gore, glass, bullets, and frightened young men. Not being a history buff, and especially not European History, I was confused at what was suddenly going on without the benefit of a third person narrative to shed some light on the incidents at hand.Luckily, the story snapped back into for me what became a comprehensive progression as he grew up and continued into a violent political destiny. Doyles' characters such as Miss Dolly Oblong, the Madame of a brothel where Henry's father works, seem inspired by the world of Dickens for their richness of character existing in the underbelly of the city.I was glad I stuck with it. It's made me want to learn more about the I.R.A., and about that period in history. That's a testament to the writer and his Henry.
| 
