The Van

I loved this book. As an first generation Irish American I could relate to the characters who seemed like my relatives in Ireland. The humor is great and the imagery very real.

I had seen the screen versions of Roddy Doyle's, "The Commitments" and "The Snapper", prior to reading his written work. As I have now experienced his work in both mediums, its as funny on the page as it is on the screen. "The Van" is the last in this trilogy and it definitely focuses on the older of the generations. The movies actually enhanced the book as the actors were spectacular and the memories of their performances kept returning to mind.The book is almost pure dialogue, and the humor will certainly leave you in pain. The issue of colorful language has been mentioned and while there is no denying its prevalence I don't believe there was any increase in this particular book. When his work is read every word is as clear as the reader's vocabulary, when on screen the accents often rendered dialogue difficult to decipher. The cadence of his writing is so well done, that even when spoken the humor works with a word or two missing, the structure implies the emotion.Mr. Doyle also wrote, "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors", and this was the previous work of his that I had read. As a writer he has remarkable range as the previous work was dark and violent, and the humor too was black as pitch. It was not just sad it was unsettling. His ability to portray the Human Condition whether bleak or bright, or even with humor when it is all that keeps a character going, in simply brilliant.If you have not read this man's work or seen the movies I would recommend both formats. His material is great regardless of the medium.

This is a wonderfully engaging read, I couldn't put it down. The language and the characters were very realistic, in fact they were people I felt I knew from my own childhood. If the language offends you then may I suggest you are privileged. Unfotunately, this is a side of life that too many of us know too well. If you can stand the swearing and you enjoy Roddy Doyle then this one should not be missed. It will make you laugh out loud.

Doyle is a master of putting you directly into the rhythm of life in Barrytown. The language is extremely coarse -- it's not a book for your grandma -- but the sentiment and the purity of intent and emotion are unmatched by anything else on the shelf. You will laugh hard and often. I had to put the book down a few times to accomodate rib-aching spasms of laughter at the goings-on.

The Ireland of Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr. and his out-of-work friends from Barrytown,the lower class section of Dublin, is not the Ireland of James Joyce, "Danny Boy," or The Chieftans. The lives of Jimmy and his lads move from the laughter and tears of real homes to their great adventure of operating a fast-food van during the World Cup of 1990. Hysterical bumbling, too much drink, deep friendships tested, and the detail of real lives are all created in the truest of voices by one of Ireland's greatest living writers.Prepare to wet yourselves!! And watch for the movie coming soon. Doyle has given us The Commitments and The Snapper, too