The Xenophobe's Guide To The Irish

The Xenophobe's Guide

by Frank McNally

From the ''Character'' section of the eagerly awaited Xenophobe''s Guide to the ''The Irish,'' claimed Sigmund Freud ''are the only race who cannot be helped by psychoanalysis''. The general implication is that Irish people are a mass of contradictions, and impervious to the rational thought processes that might resolve them.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Ireland, Humor, Cultural, Reference

63 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There are three parts to the Irish psyche: the conscious, the subconscious, and the bit that does things for the craic.”

This is an hilarious book! It's wittily and entertainingly written and it shows next to it's sometimes black humor a fondness of the country (Ireland) it is about. Jokes on "the Irish" and cultural specialties aren't cruel or mean but really funny.

“The Irish bottle up their grievances and when they have enough saved up they either go mad or they write a book.”
“They regard things like traffic lights, speed limits, and one-way-street signs as having an advisory role, rather than anything more binding, in the regulation of their affairs.”

A reoccurring theme (or problem) is that of the (more or less confusing) road signs, and of course language differences from Irish, Irish English, and English English get discussed too.
It is a book that gives you a bit of insight to peculiarities and differences of the Irish and a bit about the historical and political background, e.g.:
“The modern Irish tricolour is a graphic attempt to combine the traditions of green and orange with the white of peace between them.”

Nice guide to read before heading off for a visit, or coming back from one, or just being interested in the country.

5 of 5 shamrocks!

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books captures the essence of the typical Irish sense of humour that I love. It is truly funny without being offensive to anyone, and goes beyond te usual stereotypes, while drawing from the general perception of Irishness.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars, rounded up for the craic. Very funny book with lots of interesting tidbits about Irish people and culture.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Irishman, I found this is a very entertaining read with lots of humour and laughs.
Yes, there are some cliches used here, but most of them are accurate.
The author has done his research properly and there is a lot of truth in here.
If you want to find out more about Ireland and Irish, this book is a very good place to start!

[Cecelia Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable, clever, funny little read. It presumes a little knowledge of the Irish to begin with; one might not get the jokes without the context - but it was a fun little read that made me laugh out loud quite a few times.

[Padman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was very funny, lots of the same observations I've shared with yank friends and the oppressors from across the sea.
I think there are so many subtle injokes (where the author paraphrases a famous speech) that it's going to be less funny if the reader isn't Irish.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of silly, hilarious and mostly true things LOL.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take almost every stereotype about the Irish and put it in this book. While some are very true, or even a little true, there is a history behind it. I found this book funny and enlightening, but I do recommend knowing (or brushing up on) at least some Irish history before reading, because there are brief references and inside jokes that are easily missed if you aren't familiar with it. It's kind of like a quick "how not to get your arse beat," tourist guide, sociological and psychological insight, and history book all rolled into one with plenty of humor. I look forward to reading other books in this series to see if they're the same.

[Nancy Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quirky, fast read, this book finds humor in everything Irish. It gives comical origins of customs, misconceptions of their routines and the tell tale signs of spotting a person not of Irish origins.

I needed a book that started with an "X" and this book filled just that void. There is no story, therefore no characters or plot, but it did give me pause to smile at some of the things seen as "Irish".
I suppose anything that makes a reader smile should be worth the expense paid for the material.

[Lu Carini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having travelled, studied and lived in Ireland myself I’ve found this little guide a gem, a witty and honest read that made me a bit nostalgic and rekindled my fondness for Ireland and the Irish people. The first half is hands down hilarious, the second part turns a bit more serious as it approaches more recent times and actually taught me something new, always in a lighthearted and ironic way. Loved it, can’t wait to read more in the series.

[Goldenwattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, and having visited Ireland several times, which included staying with locals on their beef and (race)horse farm, I so relate :)

I wonder what the Australian equivalent says?

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little summary of irish culture

[AS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and makes me feel nostalgic
for Ireland : )

[Mark Suffern · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly amusing collection of stereotypes, you could spend your time better doing just about anything else.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and witty. Cannot belive the word "grand" wasn't mentioned but such a funny easy read nevertheless

[Pam Hurd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite humorous and yet informative.

[Mais · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dermo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly amusing and generally accurate (except that the author claims that "bad craic" does not exist, when it very much is a concept )

[Chad Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun! Not my favourite in some series but some interesting bits and funny bits

[~:The N:~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK.

Wish there have a series guide to Arabs.