The Commitments
by Roddy Doyle
published
July 17th 1989
(first published 1991)
by Vintage
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binding
Paperback, 176 pages
isbn
0679721746
(isbn13: 9780679721741)
description
This funky, rude, unpretentious first novel traces the short, funny, and furious career of a group of working-class Irish kids who form a band, The Co...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 746)
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.
(Sitting) Jim...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.
(Sitting) Jim...more
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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 February, 2008
I loved this book. Roddy Doyle's writing reminds me of Nick Hornby or Tom Perotta. His characters are so well written, but ,at the same time, so simple. This book exemplifies how an author should use dialogue to flesh out the people he writes. This story is driven from the very beginning. I read this book in three hours. The story just moves, and you really want to know what's going to happen to this group of people. I'm excited to know that there are two more books in this series all fea...more
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Read in August, 2008
to Mike: Charming story, and I can see why you recommended it, BUT it's not beautiful enough writing to merit more than 3 stars. The dialect is well-written, and it moves along at a great pace, but there's no moment of wow-that's-beautiful! anywhere. Anywhere!
To Swati: The most lasting image for me, and one that I think will resonate with you as well for when we start our own band (the name of which will have to remain under wraps for now): the black butterflies on the ankles of the stocking...more
To Swati: The most lasting image for me, and one that I think will resonate with you as well for when we start our own band (the name of which will have to remain under wraps for now): the black butterflies on the ankles of the stocking...more
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3 comments
I read this book after I had read Doyle's Man/Booker Prize winner Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, so it isn't really fair of me to compare that to this, his first novel.
Most people would have seen the film adaptation of The Committments, about a band in Barrytown, Dublin. I also saw that before I read the book.
What I will say is that I enjoyed The Committments, appreciating it as the first effort of a writer who went on to tell stories of incredible, yet understated, emotion...more
Most people would have seen the film adaptation of The Committments, about a band in Barrytown, Dublin. I also saw that before I read the book.
What I will say is that I enjoyed The Committments, appreciating it as the first effort of a writer who went on to tell stories of incredible, yet understated, emotion...more
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The basis for one of my favorite movies of all time. It takes a few pages to get used to how he writes dialog as well as the Irish slang, but it's a good read. It's also the first book in the Barrytown Trilogy (The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van) that Doyle wrote about a fictional working-class neighborhood in Dublin.
If you ever get the chance, go see Roddy Doyle read. He's a former teacher so he knows how to work a room and can bring his characters to life.
If you ever get the chance, go see Roddy Doyle read. He's a former teacher so he knows how to work a room and can bring his characters to life.
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recommends it for:
Jim
One of several books by Irish authors I'm reading in anticipation of my upcoming trip to Germany and Ireland. The dialect in this book is fierce ("Jaysis!") and I'm still trying to figure out some of the slang (do I want to know what "a joanna" is?) This book brought to mind Jim Wheeler listening to one song on repeat for HOURS while writing a short story. Overall a great short novel, funny with lots of soul.
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Also reading for post-colonial lit class. Reads almost like a screenplay (almost entirely dialogue). Again, written in Irish slang and accent so may be difficult for some to read. Wonderful story about working class kids in an urban area attempting to use music as a means to rise above. (How cliche is that? But it's still a good book).
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This is one of the funniest books I have ever read, but it isn't a shallow comedy. You just have to get used to the dialect. It is about a group of musicians in Dublin who decide to try to make it big playing soul music...much better than the movie of the same name (which is still good, just not as good).
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Read in August, 2008
Very Entertaining - Very Fast-Paced - Very Hilarious.
However, a huge chunk of the book is Motown Lyrics reprinted in ALL CAPS and broken up into two or three-word fragments to cover up entire pages, which made the writing seem lazy.
Worth reading just to be introduced to Joey "The Lips" Fagan.
However, a huge chunk of the book is Motown Lyrics reprinted in ALL CAPS and broken up into two or three-word fragments to cover up entire pages, which made the writing seem lazy.
Worth reading just to be introduced to Joey "The Lips" Fagan.
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This guy was SO dedicated to finding Irish Soul...he reminds me of my brother-in-law in his quest for really good music :) The characters he comes across and later amasses as his band were charming, ignorant, endearing, jerks on a variety of different levels. :)
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Charming, lovely first book of the Barrytown trilogy. Of course I read it after having seen the excellent film. In the book, Jimmy gets with Imelda instead of Natalie in the end; I'm glad the movie switched this.
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This book is so fun, I loved it. I don't know why I only read the first book in the Barrytown trilogy. Once again, Doyle's dialog is fantastic but this book is much lighter than some of his other work.
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Read in July, 1997
Hilarious and real. Recommended for anyone who's ever been in a band, anyone who's ever wanted to be in a band, anyone who's ever dreamed of fame, and anyone who wants to know how to write great dialogue.
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
people who liked the movie and/or Ireland
The movie is better, but the book is a solid effort to bridge the arts of music and books. If nothing else, it's good practice for those of us who like to occasionally like to type with an Irish accent.
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Read in January, 1992
I really love the film, which is how I came to read the book. The book is basically a script for the film, and the film can't be faulted. Good book though (despite an aaaaaaaawful lot of swearing).
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I found this probably in the way a lot of people did -- through the film. Does it add anything to the film? Well, not really, but as always with Doyle it's an enjoyable journey from start to finish.
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When I saw the movie, and Bernie, in her thick Irish accent, says "I'll rip your balls off and use 'em fer earrings!" I went right out and read the book. Because really. That's awesome.
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Read in November, 2004
A nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon. The idea of Dublin Soul is amusing and made for a few laughs. However, I was slightly offended by the degrading comments about jazz.
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Saw the movie and loved it (and bought the CDs and have seen the group perform twice)so I had to read the book. Doyle is the best author for showing Irish life - past and present.
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