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Ross O'Carroll-Kelly #17
Operation Trumpsformation
'Our nation's great satirist ... the most sustained feat of comic writing in Irish literature' Irish Times
It's the end of the world as Ross knows it ... this time, there's no way of escaping another monumental fock-up!
Sorcha had thrown me out of the family home - this time apparently for good. And yet that was the least of my worries ...
My old dear was in prison, accused of murdering her second husband. My sons were showing an unhealthy interest in - someone call social services - soccer! And my daughter wanted everyone to call her Eddie. But don't even go there!
On top of all that, a blond wig discovered in a dusty attic, had given my old man delusions of power. Suddenly, he was running for election, promising to tear up the bailout deal and take Ireland out of Europe. And that's to say nothing of his secret plan for Ireland's second city ...
But shush! Don't mention the wall!
It's the end of the world as Ross knows it ... this time, there's no way of escaping another monumental fock-up!
Sorcha had thrown me out of the family home - this time apparently for good. And yet that was the least of my worries ...
My old dear was in prison, accused of murdering her second husband. My sons were showing an unhealthy interest in - someone call social services - soccer! And my daughter wanted everyone to call her Eddie. But don't even go there!
On top of all that, a blond wig discovered in a dusty attic, had given my old man delusions of power. Suddenly, he was running for election, promising to tear up the bailout deal and take Ireland out of Europe. And that's to say nothing of his secret plan for Ireland's second city ...
But shush! Don't mention the wall!
- GenresComedy
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2017
41 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 28, 2017
I’m not sure how popular Ross O’Carroll-Kelly is ‘out foreign’, but since 1998 this satirical creation of journalist Paul Howard has been shining a spotlight on Ireland’s society through the privileged lens of a rich Dublin southside rugby player. This is the fourteenth book in the series (and the RO’CK juggernaut isn’t only books) so he is definitely doing something right, and the formula remains in place for this latest outing.
There’s plenty to take offence at (Ross is still deeply unpleasant and that’s just the start of it) and plenty to laugh at too. Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum; gender identity; Trump and Brexit are all key parts of this particular mix, plus causal references to Irish celebs (“the Happy Pear goys, Vegward I call them”). I confess I had fallen out of touch with the character for his last couple of outings, and reading this book reminded me how funny he can be. If you are a RO’CK fan you will love this; if you are new to him it’s as good a place as any to start.
Operation Trumpsformation is published by Penguin Ireland. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
There’s plenty to take offence at (Ross is still deeply unpleasant and that’s just the start of it) and plenty to laugh at too. Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum; gender identity; Trump and Brexit are all key parts of this particular mix, plus causal references to Irish celebs (“the Happy Pear goys, Vegward I call them”). I confess I had fallen out of touch with the character for his last couple of outings, and reading this book reminded me how funny he can be. If you are a RO’CK fan you will love this; if you are new to him it’s as good a place as any to start.
Operation Trumpsformation is published by Penguin Ireland. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
November 22, 2017
I'm clearly a sucker for this series for some reason. Possibly because it's a very easy, highly entertaining read, with the additional advantage of knowing the areas and basis for caricatures. It might not be for people who don't enjoy stupid humour, but the series definitely remains a favourite for me.
October 3, 2017
Brilliant, as always
I've been reading these books since 2005 and still crack my orse laughing at every page. Only 50 more weeks till the next book! 🤞
I've been reading these books since 2005 and still crack my orse laughing at every page. Only 50 more weeks till the next book! 🤞
November 19, 2018
Operation Trumpsformaton is my second "Ross" book. Needless to say, this book focuses on politics but also other issues such as gender identity and of course the wacky personal lives of Ross and the gang. Here we have Ross' dad, Charles, deciding to create a new political party the New Republic in Dublin and when he finds a yellow wig he starts to turn transform into a Trump style candidate with a campaign slogan: MAKING IRELAND TREMENDOUS AGAIN!
Charles takes advantage of people's anger about the slow moving economy by promising to break away from the EU (Eirexit) - No more payments to foreign governments, Ireland will feed itself! and targets blame and anger towards "those people from Cork". Charles promises to build a wall around Cork (and make Cork pay for it) so they stop infecting the rest of Ireland with their impossible accents.
Ross O'Carroll-Kelly's (Paul Howard) social satire is funny and timely, although this one isn't quite as funny as the Oh My God Delusion, and with a comical figure such as Trump, I'm sure he just couldn't resist. Warning: if you are easily offended this is not for you.
Charles takes advantage of people's anger about the slow moving economy by promising to break away from the EU (Eirexit) - No more payments to foreign governments, Ireland will feed itself! and targets blame and anger towards "those people from Cork". Charles promises to build a wall around Cork (and make Cork pay for it) so they stop infecting the rest of Ireland with their impossible accents.
Ross O'Carroll-Kelly's (Paul Howard) social satire is funny and timely, although this one isn't quite as funny as the Oh My God Delusion, and with a comical figure such as Trump, I'm sure he just couldn't resist. Warning: if you are easily offended this is not for you.
December 8, 2021
Read an early Ross O'Carroll-Kelly book but wasn't in a hurry to hint out another one. Received this one as a gift, but this year with a greater awareness of the years flying by and too many books on my "to read" list, I took the decision to abandon any book that didn't engage me by 50 pages in. Given that the first one to be cast aside on that basis was a Booker Prize winning novel that isn't necessarily a measure of the book's quality, just whether it rang bells with me. This book was never likely to win literary prizes and it did make it over the 50 page threshold but a few pages on I decided that I just couldn't bear to spend any more time in the company of the odious central character and his unpleasant entourage. I know we're not supposed to like Ross (although a certain English PM unbelievably seems to be a vote winner despite displaying similar character traits), but not having read more of the earlier books to be invested in what happens to him, his Trump-lite father and others. So it's going to second hand in the hope that someone else will enjoy it and it will raise some money for a good cause.
February 25, 2018
I have had a lot of love for the Ross O'Carroll-Kelly books since I first stumbled onto The Miseducation Years. While still an enjoyable read, Operation Trumpsformation didn't quite reach the heights of some of the other books in the series for me.
There are a few things that impacted on my enjoyment of the book that I think are worth noting. Firstly, I know Trump is literally mentioned in the title, but at the moment I feel like I've reached peak Trump saturation and right now real life is weirder than fiction. I also missed the last couple of books, so I felt a little lost in some of the plotlines. Now, it's possible that I'll re-read this book at a later stage having caught up on the others and adore it, but for now I'm going to have to leave this as a 3 star book. While I did get a few chuckles, I didn't get the full belly laughs as I did with the other books.
I still look forward to catching the few books I missed, and I will continue to read this series as more books are added. If you're new to Ross, I'd recommend starting with one of the earlier books in this series.
There are a few things that impacted on my enjoyment of the book that I think are worth noting. Firstly, I know Trump is literally mentioned in the title, but at the moment I feel like I've reached peak Trump saturation and right now real life is weirder than fiction. I also missed the last couple of books, so I felt a little lost in some of the plotlines. Now, it's possible that I'll re-read this book at a later stage having caught up on the others and adore it, but for now I'm going to have to leave this as a 3 star book. While I did get a few chuckles, I didn't get the full belly laughs as I did with the other books.
I still look forward to catching the few books I missed, and I will continue to read this series as more books are added. If you're new to Ross, I'd recommend starting with one of the earlier books in this series.
March 2, 2022
Think this is my lowest rating for a Ross book. Yes we have the old gang together, yes it's funny in places but the book is a personal train wreck for Ross and it brought the whole thing down for me. I'm not saying it's a bad story but I just couldn't get the usual buzz from it. As Ross is finding it's not easy growing up.
October 13, 2018
At this stage you know what to expect with Ross o Carroll Kelly books. Was a good story a few laughs but certainly not the best of the series. I thought the new republic storyline was a bit ridiculous.
April 20, 2021
A welcome find. I had forgotten my brother gave this to me last year. It was not as good as Braywatch which I think is the best of the series but it did have its moments. I liked Ross' take on Dublin Castle when the YES vote won. Ross is such a CAD. I cannot get enough of him:)
October 24, 2022
Whacky and stupidly funny. The stupid antics and events that take place through the book made me laugh out loud on several occasions. I am thoroughly enjoying this series as a light-hearted, easy to read piece of comedy.
November 18, 2017
I loved it. As good as ever, I don't think I'll ever get sick of this guy.
December 27, 2017
There are no words
January 6, 2018
Another great book in the series. As good as the first one I read years ago.
April 24, 2018
Funny as f
Excellent book. Very funny throughout. Look forward to the next one in the series. Always entertaining for a train journey.
Excellent book. Very funny throughout. Look forward to the next one in the series. Always entertaining for a train journey.
May 10, 2018
Very very funny.
The funniest of the Ross OCK books since the earlier ones. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next release in September.
The funniest of the Ross OCK books since the earlier ones. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next release in September.
July 26, 2018
I couldn't put this book down. I loved every minute of this book. Ross and his dad are as funny as every. This book is so believable because of what's happening in the world today.
March 6, 2023
Very funny. Everybody and everything gets skewered. The protagonist is truly reprehensible, as is everyone else in the story. Magnificent!
July 6, 2023
Wouldn't be my usual choice but it was very funny!
June 4, 2024
Very enjoyable read, less so than some of the others as Ross seems to be more abrasive than usual.
February 25, 2020
Good plot with a bit of a twist in the end. The sixty something trans WC'c, as well as Ronan, were a bit lame, which is why I'm giving it a three.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews