The Road to McCarthy: Around the World in Search of Ireland

I got this and the other Pete McCarthy book for my father on his way to Ireland for his dream trip. He loved it and still quotes it to this day. FINALLY a gift the old man likes.

Another McCarthy gem. He has an amazing gift for observation and the rare ability to serve it up in the most hilarious manner, rife with parallel stories and analogies. It's like watching a Craig Ferguson monologue. He's moving so fast you have to keep up with him, and it's well worth the effort. It's a tragedy we lost him before he could produce a third book. Not to be unkind, but I marvel at the negative reviews and assume the authors are missing the nuances of McCarthy's style, or are just more comfortable with a simple story line.

One of McCarthy's hilarious travelogues about the world and the places he's been. In this tale, McCarthy searches for his history and namesakes spread far across the globe. He is specifically going after the supposed head of the McCarthy clan, and finds some very interesting characters along the way. McCarthy's sharp eye for detail makes the book go along well enough, but it becomes a howl when he describes just about everything in a style worthy of Monty Python. Things I have learned about the world through this book: 1. I will never go to Tangier. Ever. 2. Montserrat is a lovely place to visit, even though half the island was laid waste by a volcano and is now an "Exclusion Zone." 3. Dublin should never be visited when England and Ireland play in rugby, or in any other sport for that matter. 4. Butte, Montana should never be visited in winter. 5. Alaska should be toured on roads that are covered in asphalt. A glorious look at the world and of us...!

While it is old news, I just completed a google search to find out when Pete McCarthy might be releasing a new book. I was stunned and saddened to hear of his passing in October following an 8 month bout with cancer. I had no idea. I loved this book as well as his previous offering - McCarthy's Bar. If you don't take yourself too seriously, nor are you one easily offended when someone takes the mickey out of the Irish, then you too will find yourself howling as you read Mr. McCarthy's observations. Look at the reviews. Obviously, Pete McCarthy was not for everyone. I however, thought he was the most hilarious travel writer out there. It is one of those books that I can pass along to someone and say, "If you don't think this is funny, then we have absolutely nothing in common." Next time I'm in a pub, I'll steal a quiet moment, say a small prayer, drink one for Pete McCarthy and look for something completely absurd happening around me. Rest in peace Mr. McCarthy.

There's something about the Irish, isn't there? They seem able to poke fun at themselves as successfully as they are able to poke it at others. While Pete McCarthy is only half Irish, a percentage I'll bet he wishes he could change to at least ¾ Irish, you'd never know it by his writing. He sounds Irish to his ale and whiskey-drinking core. His style most reminds me of Bill Bryson; they both have a similar ability to stand aside and look at life and one's own place in it with an eye toward humor, compassion, and appreciation for the foibles of our human race.In The Road to McCarthy, the author takes us with him on what amounts to a travelogue as he gallivants around the world in search of kinfolk and towns and villages that serendipitously share his name - and faith and begore, the lad does find himself in some oddball situations. In fact, I think his compass doesn't turn toward North as much as it turns toward Daffy.Delightful addition to a shelf of whimsical, irreverent travel books.