From the award-winning author of The Butcher Boy comes a new novel of extraordinary power that, according to the Sa... read full description
reviews
Apr 11, 2007
kerri
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This is a book that haunts and resonates long after you read it. It speaks alot to the inevitability of change and the fear of becoming professional, intellectually, and personally obsolete. It is sad and painful, a story that makes you hurt but one that also makes you smile. It is one of the many books that I read at least once a year.
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Apr 29, 2011
Annie
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I had to read this as part of my A-Level literature course in college and absolutely loved it (it made a change from the other books we were forced to read!). It's dark humour and creepy storyline are fanatically written, I recommend!
Jan 09, 2011
Sissel
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Didn't like this book at all. Not my tpe of books, but since we study it in English it had to be listed anyway.
Jan 02, 2010
Melanie
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Horrible to see someone's life disintegrate like that - but kind of enjoyable....
Dec 16, 2009
chris
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I was not a big a fan of this book as I had been of McCabe's other work, but the plot is sort of fun, in a horrible sort of way. Two characters on a simultaneous plummet towards the depths because of their obsessions with the way things were. It could have been any two people, but the fact that it's about a teacher and a headmaster made it a little more applicable to my personal experience. At least no one's ever died on my watch.
Apr 13, 2008
Jenna
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The life of two men, up until they meet---one an uptight headmaster and the other an incompetent teacher. They meet, their lives unravel,they blame each other. First 3/4 is awesome, I skimmed the rest. Same author of 'the butcher boy,' a violent story that literally lacked punctuation. I'd say the last quarter of the book is reminiscent of the Butcher Boy...ugh. Such a disappointment.
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Dec 30, 2011
Andy
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Excellent. Captivating and never dull. Maybe a step above "The Butcher Boy."
Oct 08, 2007
Scott
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This was a tough read for all the adults being so messed up. Another good example, although only literature, that adults shouldn't teach anything to anyone in a classroom ever. Ouch! I see why McCabe thanked Tadeusz Kantor, presumably for his Dead Class theatre piece. Ah mannequins!
Sep 21, 2008
Adrian
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An interesting read....The characters sort of disintegrated in a not particularly nice way so I didn't know how to take the book...Teacher friends of mine liked it which surprised me as it didn't portray teachers in a great light
Oct 08, 2007
Henny
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This is the first McCabe book I read. It is a very painful book to read also. Poignant and well-written, it resonates long after you've placed it back on the shelf.
Nov 14, 2010
Hannah (Jaedia)
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We read this in A level English for the gothic genre, it is really excellently written. I love the way McCabe mirrors the 2 lives.
Mar 23, 2008
Michael
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I bought this totally randomly. I thought after reading this, 'it must not be too hard to get published.' sorry.
Apr 21, 2008
Again, more Patrick McCabe! His take on the troubled souls of Ireland will take your breath away.
Feb 01, 2012
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