The Irish Paradox: How and Why We Are Such a Contradictory People

by Sean Moncrieff

We ve been clever and stupid, principled and corrupt. We can be kind and cruel, guilty of dopey optimism and chronic fatalism. We re friendly, but near impossible to get to know. We re proud to be Irish but often crippled with self-loathing. We think we re great, but not really. We find ourselves fascinating. Of course we do. We re a paradox.
There s something about Irish people, about the way their minds work. But what makes them think the way they do?
In his search for the answer to this question and the key to the Irish psyche, Sean Moncrieff roams from the pub to the online world, the shop to the pulpit. Packed with observations, revelations and intriguing detours into the murkier recesses of Irish history and culture, The Irish Paradox is a roadmap of the contradictory, mutating nature of Irishness.

Genres: Nonfiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2015

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

insightful and personal account of what it might mean to say we are Irish
lightly mixes academic detail and opinion with the author's personal experiences as a member of a family of returned emigrants

[Lothh Greenleaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me atraía este libro para intentar entender mejor el carácter de los irlandeses. Después de leerme el libro entiendo mejor algunas cosas, pero considero que estas ideas interesantes que presentaban no daban para un libro entero. El libro carece de estructura y, aparte del primer capítulo que quizás sea el más interesante, es un batiburrillo de ideas, encuestas, estudios y opiniones personales del autor.

Terminé por perder todo el respeto al mismo cuando se metió en el tema de la sexualidad y relacionó la falta de satisfacción de gran parte de las mujeres irlandesas con otro estudio que dice que los irlandeses la tienen pequeña.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it might seem like I didn't find this particularly interesting because I've only given it 3 stars, but that is not the case at all. There are some wonderful nuggets of information and some piercing insights into the Irish condition, which is really the human condition (well, for the most part, there are always incidents that are specific to a particular culture).
How quickly I read it is a testament to how much I did enjoy it. I think I wanted a little more at times, maybe I thought he could have gone deeper on occasion. But that being said, I found it engaging and enjoyed his views on why he thinks we're such a peculiar lot.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief but interesting and informative book about what it means to “be Irish”. The writer, who most people would know from the radio and TV, was born in England to an Irish mother and moved to Ireland when he was 12, so he has a unique perspective.

This is especially worth a read for anyone not brought up in Ireland but now living here.

[David Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to give this book 5 stars. It isn't The Lord of the Rings, War and Peace or Crime and Punishment. It is however one of the only books I have ever read that I could happily give to friends in the US or anywhere else and say "read this and you'll understand". That is worthy of 5 stars as that is so hard.

We are a funny race. It's always been tricky to put your finger on the Irish condition. I've alway struggled to explain Irishness to people and not end up with a load of twee references and talk of Guinness. Uff. The use of the word "grand" (which Sean Moncrieff devotes some worthy time to) is a perfect example . I love that instead of harping on too much about post colonial and/or "blame the parents" psychology he takes everyday Irishisms and applies them to Ireland and the Irish people.

The result is funny, interesting and engaging. It is also one of the only descriptions of being Irish that I, as an Irish person, am happy to be represented by.

I really don't the conservative "Did you see what she did to him, did you hear what they said" outlook I normally associate with Irish media folk. As a rule I will not listen to the Irish radio or read the papers. I may change that now.

Excellent work.

[Barbara]

Lots of food for thought if the Irish condition is of interest. Well worth a read.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite readable and sensible take on Irish identity and interface with expatriatism, nationalism etc, would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject

[Mary McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

when read in the voice of moncrieff it's a howl but so well written it kept me glued to the very last full stop!!

[Ros Serrano García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read.