Books - Review

Henry Smart, born to a father with a wooden leg grows up and joins the embryonic IRA, a colleague of Michael Collins. Lots of stuff about the Easter Rising etc

Really good. Terrific for making you realise that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Makes me want to learn more Irish history.

The story of a middle-aged Irishman coming to terms with divorce from his lovely and famous wife and the demise of his own (journalist/writer) career. Moving into a seedy area of Dublin he becomes a regular at the local pub where he meets someone who claims to have known him at school. This acquaintance stirs some memories of relationships and abuse at the hands of the Brothers at the catholic school he attended.

Most of this puttered along quite sedately but it got pretty exciting near the end, and has a great twist!

A group of youths in fictional Barrytown, a deprived Dublin suburb start a soul band. Managed by music fanatic Jimmy Rabbitte the group quickly grows, works hard and to nearly everyone's surprise start to sound pretty good. Gigs, growing support and a potential recording contract follow, but on the cusp of success can the group survive the male in-fighting over the attractive backing singers?

Excellent, funny story, great characters, and all very believable, except possibly Joey 'The Lips' Fagan. Must watch the movie...