Rory & Ita

by Roddy Doyle

A portrait of modern Ireland as presented through the lives of the author's parents notes their birth in the aftermath of the Irish rebellion, their witness to the country's rise from an oppressed colony to a rising economic power, and their personal hardships. 40,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Ireland, Memoir, Irish Literature

338 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2002

About the author

Roddy Doyle (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Dúill) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993.

Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rory and Ita - was Roddy Doyle s first non-fiction book (2002) - (he's only written one other since) based on interviews with his own parents (the eponymous Rory and Ita) telling the stories in their own words, of their respective lives.

Whilst Doyle gives his parents scope to recount, in great detail, memories from their earliest years, growing up, working, meeting and marrying, starting a family... it feels and seems as though there's been very little editing at all here.

What results is a practically, seemingly, ad verbatim account by each parent - fascinating as it may be to the Doyle family, for those outside that circle, sadly and unfortunately, tedious and ultimately interesting story of unremarkable lives.

Like the vast majority of us, Rory and Ita seem to have led full, but quite unremarkable lives. Nothing wrong with that of course, but it just doesn't lead to an interesting read.

Sorry Roddy, but either stick to producing more of your excellent fiction, or rethink your editing and audience for any future delving into the world of non-fiction.

[Len · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating family memoir and handsomely compiled and edited by Roddy Doyle. However, I feel it may have more fascination to members of the Doyle family than to a general reader. True, there are snippets of information about life in and around Dublin from 1900 onward and the view of the expansion of suburbs to the north of Dublin in the second half of the century is quietly illuminating. However, I felt that, never having met Ita or Rory or any of their family, I was intruding into someone else's loving memories.

There are pieces here and there that expand the book's horizons. Brendan Behan has a walk on part, in a pub naturally, and is not viewed in a friendly way. Rory and Ita's trip to the old Soviet Union shows a travel writer itching to get out. They end up in Uzbekistan where Rory drinks the local water too freely and has to negotiate the public toilets in Samarkand. I think it is fair to say he was not won over. There is a bit of an impression that, if left completely to himself, Rory would have had more to say about the Irish Revolution and civil war and very little of it showing any sympathy toward Britain and the British.

Overall it is a series of gentle reminiscences from two essentially good people who are proud of building their lives and proud of their achievements. It has been a pleasure to get to know them.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roddy Doyle is one of my favourite author. This is his first non-fiction book. It is the story of his parents, Rory and Ita, growing up in Ireland. They mainly tell the story in their own words and Roddy adds extra context. They were both born in the 1920's. Most of the book takes place in the 30's, 40's and 50's. If kids these days feel hard done by trying to afford a house and all the things they need they should read this book. Like trying to decide if you can afford a fridge or a washing machine, then waiting a few years to be able to afford the other. And forget about a car for a long time, they cycled miles to go where they needed in all sorts of weather. How about a 35 year mortgage back in 1951. An interesting look at a long past era.

[John Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of the lives of two ordinary people during the 20 Century which covers the emergence of the Republic of Ireland as an independent state. It would be of interest to social historians.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are a very cordial 3 stars - I liked this book a lot but the fact of it being a near verbatim memoir meant that it didn't have a great arc or drive or anything that made it a fantastic book. Furthermore, the life of a regular lady and guy over the course of 20th century Ireland is not a subject that appeals to every reader (but it does to me!).

I thought it was great, without trying to do too much or encylopedically covering everything or really universalizing anything at all... Roddy Doyle sat down with his parents and let them say what they want and then wrote it down, and it works. Their respective happy, fairly simple childhoods, their early adulthoods (and their awesome first meeting -- Ita thought Roddy was too drunk and wasn't interested at all, but he proved himself the next week), and their marriage, home-buying, the births of their children, tragedies and joys, and family ties that remained important throughout the decades.

It's not like they have the perfect love story, or incredibly edifying lives, or were fantastic in any way, but they were smart and nice and had fun, and that's just how it should be, and it was really nice to read about that. Way to be a good kid, Roddy

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book that described the mundane quotidian details of an Irish couple coming of age in the post war years. There is not a plot and there is nothing earth shattering that occurs in their lives. The book sounds quite boring, and many will find that it is, but if you are part of a family that grew up in that era the book is a compelling read, particularly an Irish family. It is also an interesting perspective because both Rory and Ita lived through the same events yet had different recollections or points of emphasis on those events. I also found it quite interesting how little of the book was focused on their children. There is little or no discussion on their lives or what struggles and accomplishments they had.
Rory and Ita is worth a read. It is a character study of a quintessential mid-century Irish couple and also a window how Ireland has changed in the lifetimes of baby boomers.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roddy Doyle is a much beloved Irish writer and this is the story of his parents as told by his parents. There is almost no mention of the writer or his siblings, so mostly this loving account focuses in alternating his and hers chapters on their youth, upbringing, courtship, marriage, and extended family relationships. A pleasant tribute to two very pleasing people.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Chapter to chapter went between Rory's memory of events and Ita's memory of
many of the same events or time. That said, if you don't have a basic understanding of the landscape of Ireland and it's towns, it may leave you a bit lost. I suppose if you are picking the book up, you have some Irish interest and knowledge. All in all, read it in 4 nights.

[Sharon Corina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story that he wrote about his parents, and their parents, it was ok but a bit slow and boring at times. I actually ended up not finishing it, so it could have picked up a bit closer to the end.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet first person memoir, enhance by some dry wit, and the backdrop of momentous events in Irish history. The perfect archetype of how to hide an epic story in something small, intimate and loving.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about two people who grew up in Dublin in days gone by. Interesting to see what childhood and young adulthood were like, and then what average married life was life.

[Christine Rampley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite rambling and a previous knowledge of Irish history would be helpful. Roddy's birth is not mentioned which seemed needlessly modest!

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely read. The distinct voices of his mother and father can clearly be heard in their respective chapters.

[Parksy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful book given to me by Samantha for our upcoming Anniversary… given early so I could read it while took our first vacation to Ireland and Dublin together!

[Bert Huisman]

5 t3

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the lives of Rory and Ita Doyle born in Ireland of 1920s, and parents of Roddy Doyle. This book is very different from Roddy Doyle's other books. In fact this book is more Rory and Ita's book than Roddy's, since most of the book is told in Rory and Ita's own words, which makes the style different to Roddy Doyle's other books. Unfortunately this results in that the characters of Rory and Ita sometimes seem quite distant.

The book gives a good picture of what life in Ireland was like in the late 20s and forward. Rory and Ita lead quite normal lives, and nothing too exceptional happens. They are born, they go to school, they get a job, they get married, they have children... Much like anybody else. But the fact is that portraits of ordinary live can be very interesting.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roddy Doyle shares his folks stories from the time they lived as children in their respective Irish villages near Dublin, until retirement and memories rule the day. Much of their upbringing and adult life is similar to the changes in America during the same century, the 20th. What was strikingly different were the experiences of the Irish during WWII who didn't mind seeing the British brought down a peg by "their war with the Germans"and the experiences of the Yanks who came to Britain's rescue. Another big difference is their never ending "civil war" involving autonomy, and the secretive, sensitive nature of politics in Ireland.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the stroy of Rory and Ita, the parents of Roddy Doyle. The tales of life in Ireland pre- and post- war. The hardships, the way of life, are described using the colloquialisms of those who lived it - in Ireland. It is as if I am sitting listening to my own grandparents tell their tales. I wish I had taken more notes so I too, could share their experiences. I loved this snapshot of history and their lives.

[Elizabeth Gosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandfather lent me this book a long time ago. I read a few chapters and kept putting it down and forgetting about it. I finally finished this story about Rory and Ita Doyle from Ireland. I really enjoyed he last half when they talked about their lives together and the way things changed as their children grew up. I am not sure if they are still alive, not likely, however I am glad I go to read about their lives.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nonfiction account of the author's Irish parents' lives from the 1920's to the present, told in alternating chapters by each - not totally chronologically.

Entertaining at times, too bogged-down with family detail at others. It makes you appreciate your own parents and nostalgic for your youth.

[Angus McKeogh · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's the saying, "If you like the author you don't ever want to meet him. It'll completely change the way you see him." Generally if they write a book about themselves I might just read it to get further insight. If they write a book about their parents I'd skip it. Boring. And a subject I'm not even interested in.

[Adam Hodgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kind of biography of Roddy Doyle's parents, I've heard some people describe it as boring and admittedly there no great adventure or anything but I thought the story of two average everyday peoples lives was pretty interesting.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit indulgent and probably fascinating to Rory and Ita's son, Roddy Doyle, less fascinating to me, but interesting nonetheless, their lifetimes growing up, raising children and moving with the times in 20th century Dublin

[Nina J. Kors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro delizioso: direi non memorabile ma necessario. Si narra la storia dei genitori di Roddy Doyle.
L'Irlanda che poi avrei ritrovato viaggiando, o i paesaggi e le case in altri scrittori irlandesi.

In realtà è come raccontare la vita di molti noi.

[Jim Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

The memoir of Roddy Doyle's parents finds the unusual in the ordinary. A simple, straightforward life (or lives) depicted in alternating chapters, grows more interesting and ends up as very satisfying, just as the subjects themselves seem satisfied with the fullness of their lives.

[Cynthia Paschen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love Doyle, but I did not finish this one.

[Sarah]

How is it that I haven't read this one?

[Katy Brandes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was my much, much lesser favorite from Roddy Doyle. Really couldn't get through it.

[Corvus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little biography of his parents and an interesting picture of where they lived.

[Denise Noone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated & absorbed by this story. I liked it's ordinariness.