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Summary: The Mammy is a JOY!
Review: I picked up this book when I was looking for something different to read and based solely on the cover blurbs, and was NOT disappointed! This was one of the funniest, sweetest, most charming books I've read in YEARS!! I began the book on a NYC subway, where I do all my best reading, and was laughing out loud within the first few pages. Now, for those of you not familiar with NYC, the subway is NOT a place where one wants to draw attention to ones self. A woman finally tapped me on the shoulder and asked what book I was reading, she HAD to get it if it was that funny (I hope she did and I hope she's enjoyed it as much as I). By the end of the book I was totally in love with Agnes Browne and her family. Brendan O'Carroll has a gift for telling a story and he's told a wonderful one in "The Mammy". He weaves sights, sounds, people, and places into an enjoyable tale of a young, widowed mother of seven very different, but all loving, children. He also has something a lot of male writers don't have, a strong feel for women. The conversations between Agnes and Marion are believable, there are things best friends talk about with eachother that they'd NEVER discuss with anyone else. Especially in 1967 Ireland. And O'Carroll has captured it here. Be warned though...The Mammy is not all laughs. As in real life there are some tears to be shed and you've a cold heart if you don't shed a few for Agnes and her family and friends. But it's the tears that make it all the more real. I've recommended this book to dozens of people I know (and bought copies for my closest friends) and not a one has been disappointed and they've all thanked me for introducing them to Agnes Browne and her family. Though a few may have grumbled about staying up all night reading it all, because they just HAD to see what was going to happen next! Do yourself a favor, BUY this book...And if you don't fall in love with Agnes and her brood, then hurry make an appointment with the doctor, because you've obviously misplaced your heart.
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Summary: How can you laugh at a widow with seven children?
Review: How can you laugh at a widow with seven children? When the widow is Agnes Browne, you can! Dublin is the home for Agnes Browne and her family. The cards have fallen and Agnes has so much going against her- her husband's recent death, being a single mother to her seven children, and working long hours selling produce in her stall on Moore Street. But when Agnes finds herself at the bottom of the barrel, she shows her never disputable strength. When Agnes' best friend, Marion, is faced with tragedy, Agnes is there right by her side.
Agnes takes on her daughter's teacher, when her mothering feathers have been ruffled. No one, not even Sister Magdalen will get away with mistreating one of her children! Agnes is a bit rough around the edges when she is the target for the attention and affection from the French owner of the local pizza parlor. Not surprisingly, Agnes manages to win his affection on her own terms. Brendan O'Carroll has created characters I will not forget. Any mother who has survived her son going through puberty, must read this book. I laughed so hard I ached! I am looking forward to the next book in this series
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Summary: The Mammy
Review: The Browne family of Ireland is a big family one that has seven count them seven children six boys and one little girl. Than unexpectedly there father who they called Redser died. He left his wife now a widow behind with seven children and pretty much no money. In a way these brought these Browne kids together they would watch each others back they had a saying in the book "if you messed with one Browne you messed with seven". It also shows how the mother took the death of her husband. Because now not only did she have to raise seven kids on her own, she had to be the mother and the father to seven little children. The way I rate books is if the book is so good that it makes you never want to put it down. With this book I got that it was a great book one of the best I have ever read. In a rating of 1-5 with five being the best I would rate this book a four and a half, just is a great book and I would recommend this book to anyone who like a good book.
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Summary: Delightful story balancing sorrow with joy
Review: The Mammy is an eloquently written story about a family in Dublin, Ireland. The book is entertaining and moving. It is lighthearted at times and at other times it deals with serious matters such as death, sickness and religion. There are several laugh-out-loud moments when the author brilliantly captures the closeness of friends who share tragedy and exhiliration. The several children in the story offer a spectrum of personalities and clash and interact entertainingly. The story is full of wit and insight into human behavior, especially the love between mother and children. I have given this book and its sequels as gifts to the delight of several friends. And I recommend it for you.
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Summary: Great Story
Review: I happened upon this book by accident but it was a wonderful surprise! As the granddaughter of an Irish immigrant I saw alot of my grandmother and mother in this story. It inspired me to read the next four novels in the series, as well as learn more about Irish history. Has become one of my favorite novels to date.
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Summary: A light, entertaining read
Review: Highly enjoyable tale of an Irish widow and her seven children. It is both funny and heartwarming and I look forward to reading the next two installments in Brendan O'Carroll's trilogy.
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Summary: Come Ye Back Agnes Browne
Review: Brendan O'Carroll appeared in the film 'The Van' and 'Angela's Ashes' now author of 'The Mammy' the #1 bestseller in Ireland that started it all-the Agnes Browne trilogy. First came 'The Mammy,' followed after 'The Chisellers' and later they made her 'The Granny.' The best trilogy since 'The Godfather.' Well, just as good anyway. It's the funny, laugh-out-loud story set in 1967 Dublin, about Agnes and her lively brood of seven kids-Mark, Francis, Rory, Dermot, Trevor, Simon and Cathy. Agnes husband Redser has died. But being a single parent hasn't got her defeated. Not even the troubles with her daughter, Cathy's tyrannical teacher. Or the amorous advances of the French proprietor of a local pizza shop. Not even the medical crisis of her best friend, Marion Monks. Agnes supports the family by going to Moore Street at five every morning and set up her produce stall. There all the women meet to gossip, buy and sell. All the humor and humanness has an aroma of Irishness that rises above the clamour of daily business. Out of the average day Agnes makes everyone's day special.
There in the Jarro becomes a moving and tender portrait of working-class life in 1960s Dublin. To the fatherless Browne clan, Agnes is more to them than just a beloved neighborhood character. She's just about anything there is to be. The pages of 'The Mammy' have all the hiliarity of Paul Roach and the charm of Dickens. There are page-to-page funny accounts like Agnes educating the "facts of life" to her eldest son, Mark. Marks awareness of his changing self had me tickled Irish pink. The one of the man in the James Bond movie with the three nipples. The one about P.J. and Dolly Foley had me laughing through the whole Chapter 8. The story is an Irish "Leave It to Beaver" meets "The Waltons." I can't tell you how much I really loved reading this book. I loved the ending when the two Browne boys arranged a meeting with Cliff "Harry" Richard for their mammy on Christmas Day. It just goes to show in a sad and busy world that someone's dream can come true. When you read about Agnes Browne, you will be captivated by her strength and wittiness like you always known her as your next door neighbor. 'The Mammy' will warm your heart and put a little Irish jig in your soul. Slainté y'all!
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Summary: Agnes Browne Trilogy:The Mammy, The Chisllers,The Granny
Review: Good-by Frank McCourt! Hello Agnes Browne! Agnes Browne lives life--finding joy in winning at the bingo parlor, having a cider with her best friend Marian after a day at her market stand, and going home to share a cup of tea after dinner with her family.
Through the lives of her seven children the reader experiences a wide range of emotions with Agnes from joy and sadness. From Mark, the success story to Francis (Frankie) and Dermont the constant worries of her life, Agnes loves each of them. The AGNES BROWNE TRILOGY is a must read book! Super!
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Summary: Quaint Walk Down An Irish Lane
Review: At times the humor felt forced, the first chapter especially. Yet, by mid book, I was laughing along side the girls as if I was taking the driving instruction myself. The ending was too contrived. I longed for a little less fantasy. Over all, it was an easy read, and entertaining.
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Summary: Omigod, read this book when you want to laugh!
Review: The Mammy is the first book of O'Carroll's trilogy, and it's a winner. While I loved and admired Angela's Ashes, The Mammy, dealing with the same issues of Irish poverty, weak or absent fathers, saintly mums, and the alleyways and neighborhoods of urban Ireland, transcends bleakness to rise to non-stop hilarity.
There isn't an unlikeable character in the book, even if it's a scoundrel. The dialogue sings, the action never stops, and the situations are side-splittingly funny. It's a book that should not be read in bed at night beside a sleeping mate: the bed shaking with your laughter will waken your partner.
Don't miss The Mammy - and then read the other two in the trilogy.
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