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A Star Called Henry

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A Star Called Henry

By: Roddy Doyle
Narrated by: Roddy Doyle
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About this listen

 Born in the slums of Dublin in 1901, his father a one-legged whore-house bouncer and settler of scores, Henry Smart has to grow up fast. By the time he can walk he's out robbing, begging, often cold, always hungry, but a prince of the streets. At 14, already six-foot-two, Henry's in the General Post Office on Easter Monday 1916, a soldier in the Irish Citizen Army, fighting for freedom. A year later he's ready to die for Ireland again, a rebel, a Fenian and soon, a killer. With his father's wooden leg as his weapon, Henry becomes a republican legend, one of Michael Collins' boys, a cop killer, an assassin on a stolen bike.

An historical novel like none before it, A Star Called Henry marks a new chapter in Roddy Doyle's writing. It is a vastly more ambitious book than any he has written before. A subversive look behind the legends of Irish republicanism, at its centre a passionate love story, this is a triumphant work of fiction.

©1999 Roddy Doyle (P)1999 Random House Audiobooks Historical Fiction Fiction

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Critic reviews

"This is a radical departure for Doyle, and a stunning success." (Amazon.co.uk)
All stars
Most relevant  
This book is beautifully written with interesting, original characters interwoven with real life figures and events. It covers the period of Irish history in the early to mid 20th century, with the Easter rebellion and the emergence of the IRA. It is interesting, full of humour and yet at the same time horrifying in places, with moments of poignancy scattered throughout. Excellent.

Beautiful prose

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Brilliant narration by the author. I was rooting for Henry from the very beginning.

Well read

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I had to slow Roddy’s voice down to fully appreciate this book. It’s was spellbinding.

Wonderful

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Loved it as a hard back and have re read and listened to it many times since. Fantastically entertaining although the narration isn't always the best.

Love Roddy Doyle Books

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Listened with partner and home educated teenager (eek, lots of underage sex!) during the period of the centenary of the Easter Rising. The writing is excellent, like swift poetry, as is Roddy's telling, which regularly went into snippets of song and kept the humour deadpan. I also appreciated, towards the end of the story, the critique of the modern Irish culture yet to come, which took this period of hope and desperation and turned it into something many involved would have cringed at. I was at a commemorative event for the Rising recently when the local mayor ascertained that the leaders of the Rising would have been proud of Ireland as it stands. I doubt it somehow, particularly for those with the harder line Socialist outlook.... Thousands of homeless children and yet so many empty houses and entire empty estates while the government and banks manufacture a mini property bubble, 'the great oil and gas giveaway', the few refugees let in kept in institutions, etc, etc. Personally I see Connolly spinning in his grave.

I very rarely read or listen to fiction but I loved this. Recommend.

Excellent story and narration

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Loved this book the first time I read it! Even better listening to Mr Doyle himself, read it to me!

Infatuated

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The story begins implausibly with a one-legged bouncer but it soon takes off and becomes an exciting story of a young man whose early years are marked by poverty and exclusion. Later he becomes a rebelious hero. Roddy Doyle has gone to a lot of trouble to ensure the historical accuracy of the story.

Stimulating and educating

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Drank up every word and finished within a day. Doyle's mix colloquial voice and serious subject matter are perfectly balanced.

Beautifully told.

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Brilliantly punchy dialogue, intriguing characters. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I w listened to it twice. Having the author narrate the story gives a real feeling of intimacy.

An amazing view of a fascinating time in Ireland

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A pleasure to listen to , would higly recommend. Roddy Doyle at his finest! beautifully read by the author.

a must!

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