book data
1,167 ratings,
3.97
average rating, 88 reviews
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published
August 7th 1993
by VINTAGE (RAND)
(first published 1987)
details
Paperback, 176 pages
isbn
0749391685
(isbn13: 9780749391683)
description
Barrytown, Dublin, has something to sing about. The Commitments are spreading the gospel of the soul. Ably managed by Jimmy Rabitte, brilliantly coach…more
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avg 3.97
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
This bracing, funny, honest, and charming first novel tracks the brief existence of The Commitments, a working-class Dublin band bent on bringing soul to the people. Fortunately for Outspan and Derek, who've decided to form And, And!, And, a syntho-pop cover band (as soon as they get the money to buy instruments, anyway), Jimmy Rabbite consents to be their manager. Jimmy's the sharpest industry observer in northern Dublin ("Jimmy had Relax before anyone had heard of Frankie Goes to Hollywoo...more
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Read in September, 2009
I had this book begun and done before I even had a chance to mark it as "currently reading." It took me about 3 days, which is about 3 hours in normal non-baby-raising reading time. The majority of the book is dialogue, song lyrics, and rhythm licks (DUHH DUHH DUUUUHHH), so it moves pretty dang fast.
Anyway, the content ... since The Commitments is one of my favorite movies of all time, I expected to enjoy the book a lot, and I did, but I have to say, I think it may fall un...more
Anyway, the content ... since The Commitments is one of my favorite movies of all time, I expected to enjoy the book a lot, and I did, but I have to say, I think it may fall un...more
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brilliant! though you end up thinking in an irish accent
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Greatness is often ephemeral. Youth is fickle. It's such a brilliant story. I just love it...
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Read in July, 2009
The Commitments is a small band formed in Dublin by a group of young and unemployed folks. Their one goal in life is to bring SOUL to Dublin. The biggest problem is the leading members really don't know that much about music history, so they hire a friend to manage them and help create the image they have for themselves.
There isn't a lot of story here. Quite simply it is about music, but deeper than that is the will to be more, to bring more to the table. Quick read, which was ni...more
There isn't a lot of story here. Quite simply it is about music, but deeper than that is the will to be more, to bring more to the table. Quick read, which was ni...more
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Read in January, 2006
Fantastic for music lovers. A real short and snappy book. The movie is also fantastic, as you get to hear the music along with the dialog. Booktalk from library school below.
The Commitments, by Roddy Doyle
(Standing, with Irish accent)“Say it once, say it loud, I’m black an’ I’m proud.” They were stunned by what came next. The Irish are the black folk of Europe, lads… An’ Dubliners are the black folk o’ Ireland. Say it loud, I’m black an’ I’m proud. ...more
The Commitments, by Roddy Doyle
(Standing, with Irish accent)“Say it once, say it loud, I’m black an’ I’m proud.” They were stunned by what came next. The Irish are the black folk of Europe, lads… An’ Dubliners are the black folk o’ Ireland. Say it loud, I’m black an’ I’m proud. ...more
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Read in February, 2010
Quite the interesting novel. It reminded me of a Flogging Molly concert I went to a couple of years ago. You will learn from reading this book that the 80's treated Ireland pretty bad too. Its funny to see what life was like for Irish teenagers and how they expressed themselves through their music.
It is fascinating that teenagers in Ireland deal with the same identity issues as the teenagers here in the States. It must be a universal thing to have a sucky adolescence. Also, I learne...more
It is fascinating that teenagers in Ireland deal with the same identity issues as the teenagers here in the States. It must be a universal thing to have a sucky adolescence. Also, I learne...more
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Read in March, 2008
It took awhile for me to get use to Roddy Doyle's style(no quotation marks or chapters), but once I did I enjoyed this book. I wish the characters were more developed and that Doyle refrained from using the n-word. Definitely see the 1991 film to get the full effect of the music and for a less predictable ending than the book has.
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Read in February, 2009
Hilarious. Just so funny from the first page to the end. A bit too short and it was impossible to tell who was talking during scenes of the rambling conversations but some of the characters are terrific.
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Read in February, 2010
Such a long time ago in VHS land I fell in love singing and laughing with a great movie and now the book, such a fun quick jaunt through music and mayhem. Written so you can "hear" the Irish accents and sing along. Thank god my Wilson Pickett CD (yes, CD) was still submerged in the visor of my car. Funny, witty, memorable.
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I saw the movie way before I read any of his books, and I think because I liked the movie so much that I am bias about this particular story. Its funny and quirky and good...
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Read in January, 1994
If you love the movie; if you love classic soul; if you love the excitement of raw youth; this is the book you have to read.
Cuz I got so-o-o-o-oul.... and I'm supabad.
Cuz I got so-o-o-o-oul.... and I'm supabad.
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Great laugh! The whole trilogy (The Snapper and The Van) are just fantastic books. I recommend reading them in English, although the Irish accent is sometimes very hard.
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Read in July, 2009
Books&Music: James Brown (It's a man's, man's, man's world, Sex machine, Night Train, Super Bad), Eddie Floyd (Knock on Wood), Sam Cooke (Chain Gang), The Byrds (I feel a Whole Lot Better)
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Read in March, 2009
It was a bit difficult getting into the Irish dialect, but once I grasped it, the book was great fun. I could feel their desire to be part of something that's going somewhere, that's full of possibility. A band might not be a ticket out of the working class life, but it sure is something different.
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Read in February, 2008
The whole Barrytown trilogy is great fun. You have got to see the movie though. Good fun - great music. It is one I watch over and over again.
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Hilarious book. I laughed out loud more than once. The movie follows it pretty closely--a bunch of working class kids put a band together in Dublin. Very funny.
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Read in July, 2009
A really nice evocation of young guys forming a band (though it would be hard to lie, I think, if you weren't pretty familiar with Motown classics). How I want to reach "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha" and reread "The Snapper" and whatever else Doyle has written.
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Read in January, 1984
Great laugh and very enjoyable......
It did bring the Corrs to the world!....
Can we ever forgive Alan Parker?
It did bring the Corrs to the world!....
Can we ever forgive Alan Parker?
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This is the first book in The Barrytown Trilogy. It's a quick read, and funny- I laughed out loud several times.
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