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Loopy: A Novel of Golf and Ireland
"Dan Binchy's first two novels were delightful stories of small town Ireland and filled with a range of eccentric and hilarious characters. Both books received warm praise"--- The Washington Post called The Neon Madonna "terrifically funny and a hilarious read." Booklist called The Last Resort "an endearing and entertaining combination of warmth and wit."
The tiny village of Trabane is tucked far away in the west of Ireland. The local golf course was designed more by nature than by man. On ‘links' like this, golf is much more than just a game to those that play it. It is a battlefield where scores are settled and every man and woman is equal.
To young Larry Lynch, nicknamed Loopy, golf opens up new horizons and the chance of a better life. Having only recently picked up the sport, he finds he has a natural skill and quickly becomes the town's leading amateur. Loopy's gifted athleticism earns him entry into the Atlantic Trophy---a prestigious competition at the famed course, Ballykissane. Helped only by an eccentric caddy and a gaggle of noisy supporters, he takes on some of the world's best amateur golfers in a titanic struggle that will warm the heart of readers everywhere. Little does he know that he is playing for a prize far, far greater than a silver trophy.
Through it all, Binchy imbues the work with a wonderful feel of small town Ireland and, of course, the Irish spirit.
"Echoes of Rocky in a sweet-natured tale of golf and small-town Ireland...Binchy's third...is a dead-solid hit with cousin Maeve ("I...love this book!"), which is not surprising since it's Binchyesque to the core."
--- Kirkus Reviews
The tiny village of Trabane is tucked far away in the west of Ireland. The local golf course was designed more by nature than by man. On ‘links' like this, golf is much more than just a game to those that play it. It is a battlefield where scores are settled and every man and woman is equal.
To young Larry Lynch, nicknamed Loopy, golf opens up new horizons and the chance of a better life. Having only recently picked up the sport, he finds he has a natural skill and quickly becomes the town's leading amateur. Loopy's gifted athleticism earns him entry into the Atlantic Trophy---a prestigious competition at the famed course, Ballykissane. Helped only by an eccentric caddy and a gaggle of noisy supporters, he takes on some of the world's best amateur golfers in a titanic struggle that will warm the heart of readers everywhere. Little does he know that he is playing for a prize far, far greater than a silver trophy.
Through it all, Binchy imbues the work with a wonderful feel of small town Ireland and, of course, the Irish spirit.
"Echoes of Rocky in a sweet-natured tale of golf and small-town Ireland...Binchy's third...is a dead-solid hit with cousin Maeve ("I...love this book!"), which is not surprising since it's Binchyesque to the core."
--- Kirkus Reviews
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 15, 2024
Had to look up hurling
he objective of the game is for players to use an ash wood stick called a hurley (in Irish a camán, pronounced /ˈkæmən/ or /kəˈmɔːn/) to hit a small ball called a sliotar /ˈʃlɪtər/ between the opponent's goalposts either over the crossbar for one point or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for three points. The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can be kicked, or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass), for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick (solo), and the ball can only be handled twice while in the player's possession.
Trabane- no such town Strabane is in northern ireland
Golfing phrases?
He must have carried the graveyard on the fly p.40
Driven the 13th green p.40
Maire- God, he thought, women are so complicated p.47
Guy laying on the floor of the hotel
Meets housekeeper whose married
The. next chapter he’s in the hospital with cancer wtf?
Hay sales seemed unnecessary
Why would Larry care if the guy wanted to have his horses on the land? Dad won’t like it? Dad left!
he objective of the game is for players to use an ash wood stick called a hurley (in Irish a camán, pronounced /ˈkæmən/ or /kəˈmɔːn/) to hit a small ball called a sliotar /ˈʃlɪtər/ between the opponent's goalposts either over the crossbar for one point or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for three points. The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can be kicked, or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass), for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick (solo), and the ball can only be handled twice while in the player's possession.
Trabane- no such town Strabane is in northern ireland
Golfing phrases?
He must have carried the graveyard on the fly p.40
Driven the 13th green p.40
Maire- God, he thought, women are so complicated p.47
Guy laying on the floor of the hotel
Meets housekeeper whose married
The. next chapter he’s in the hospital with cancer wtf?
Hay sales seemed unnecessary
Why would Larry care if the guy wanted to have his horses on the land? Dad won’t like it? Dad left!
March 29, 2023
I Love Maeve Binchy and so I had to try this book out. I enjoyed it, but I'm not a huge golf fan,so that would be the only part I wasn't as interested in, but I would read another book by this author.
March 3, 2019
Need to read the jackets before checking out books. I have no interest in golf but did finish this feel good book.
April 29, 2021
A young Irish dropout who becomes golf phenom helps family & town & finds love. Very funny! 2013 8/14/2013
February 27, 2009
Loopy
Dan Binchy
Fiction
264 pages
copyright: 2005
isbn: 0-312-32501-8
The tiny village of Trabane is tucked far away in the west of Ireland. The local golf course was designed more by nature than by man. On ‘links’ like this, golf is much more than just a game to those that play it. It is a battlefield where scores are settled and every man and woman is equal.
To young Larry Lynch, nicknamed Loopy, golf opens up new horizons and the chance of a better life. Having only recently picked up the sport, he finds he has a natural skill and quickly becomes the town’s leading amateur. Loopy’s gifted athleticism earns him entry into the Atlantic Trophy---a prestigious competition at the famed course, Ballykissane. Helped only by an eccentric caddy and a gaggle of noisy supporters, he takes on some of the world’s best amateur golfers in a titanic struggle that will warm the heart of readers everywhere. Little does he know that he is playing for a prize far, far greater than a silver trophy.
Through it all, Binchy imbues the work with a wonderful feel of small town Ireland and, of course, the Irish spirit.
Dan Binchy
Fiction
264 pages
copyright: 2005
isbn: 0-312-32501-8
The tiny village of Trabane is tucked far away in the west of Ireland. The local golf course was designed more by nature than by man. On ‘links’ like this, golf is much more than just a game to those that play it. It is a battlefield where scores are settled and every man and woman is equal.
To young Larry Lynch, nicknamed Loopy, golf opens up new horizons and the chance of a better life. Having only recently picked up the sport, he finds he has a natural skill and quickly becomes the town’s leading amateur. Loopy’s gifted athleticism earns him entry into the Atlantic Trophy---a prestigious competition at the famed course, Ballykissane. Helped only by an eccentric caddy and a gaggle of noisy supporters, he takes on some of the world’s best amateur golfers in a titanic struggle that will warm the heart of readers everywhere. Little does he know that he is playing for a prize far, far greater than a silver trophy.
Through it all, Binchy imbues the work with a wonderful feel of small town Ireland and, of course, the Irish spirit.
June 4, 2012
Great read,had a hard time putting it down. If you like feel good and golf this is worth the read.
April 7, 2013
A great read, I could not put it down. As a golfer I also appreciated the details and the frustration of this sport brought life in these pages. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews