Considers the first five novels two of which have been made into films ofpopular writer Roddy Doyle in terms of his innovative use of language hisaudiences re... » 

Considers the first five novels two of which have been made into films ofpopular writer Roddy Doyle in terms of his innovative use of language hisaudiences reaction to comedy and humor the role of religion and politics andhis social vision.In this analysis of the first five novels of Roddy Doyle The CommitmentsThe Snapper The Van Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and The Woman Who Walked IntoDoors Caramine White notes that while Doyle is undoubtedly one of the mostpopular contemporary novelists he also needs to be seen as a serious andgifted writer.She offers an overview of Doyles work followed by a chapter devoted to thecritical analysis of each of the five novels in which White scrutinizes Doylesinnovative use of language his manipulation of his audiences reaction viacomedy and humor the role however slight of religion and politics and hisoverall social vision as projected in each book and as part of a complete bodyof work.Along with this standard for examination prominent aspects of each of theindividual novels are brought into light for instance the function of musicin The Commitments Sharons character development in The Snapper the grimnessand despair in The Van the use of double writing in Paddy Clarke and the wayPaulas life may be seen as a metaphor for the abuses women suffer in apatriarchal society in The Woman Who Walked into Doors.This book includes an extensive interview with Roddy Doyle a revealingbiography of Doyles life and how it is reflected in his writing and anoverview and brief analysis of Doyles most recent novel the criticallyacclaimed A Star Called Henry. «