Brownbread and War: Two Plays (Plays, Penguin) [Paperback]

Roddy Doyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1994 | Series: Plays, Penguin

From novelist and screenwriter Roddy Doyle come these two colorful plays. both set in the North Dublin suburb of Barrytown. In Brownbread, three young men kidnap a bishop but soon come to realize--when the U.S. Marines invade--that their brilliant adventure is nothing more than a colossal mistake. War is set at the Hiker's Rest, a pub where two trivia addicts meet every month to answer questions posed by Denis trhe quizmaster who hates wrong answers and shoots to kill. These earthy, exuberant works show why The New York Times Book Review says Doyle's "versatility and brio...may shock the neighbors, but...you can't take your eyes off him."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roddy Doyle is an internationally bestselling writer. His first three novels—The Commitments, The Snapper, and the 1991 Booker Prize finalist The Van—are known as The Barrytown Trilogy. He is also the author of the novels Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (1993 Booker Prize winner), The Woman Who Walked into Doors, and A Star Called Henry, and a non-fiction book about his parents, Rory & Ita. Doyle has also written for the stage and the screen: the plays Brownbread, War, Guess Who's Coming for the Dinner, and The Woman Who Walked Into Doors; the film adaptations of The Commitments )as co-writer), The Snapper, and The Van; When Brendan Met Trudy (an original screenplay); the four-part television series Family for the BBC; and the television play Hell for Leather. Roddy Doyle has also written the children's books The Giggler Treatment, Rover Saves Christmas, and The Meanwhile Adventures and contributed to a variety of publications including The New Yorker magazine and several anthologies. He lives in Dublin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140231153
• ISBN-13: 978-0140231151
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,284,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roddy Doyle is the author of eight novels, a collection of stories, and Rory & Ita, a memoir of his parents. He won the Booker Prize in 1993 for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. He lives and works in Dublin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent plays by an excellent writer, June 27, 2000

By 

Maureen Barton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brownbread and War: Two Plays (Plays, Penguin) (Paperback)

Brownbread is a play about a trio of young lads (trying desperately to be hooligans, but a little too kind at heart to succeed) who kidnap a bishop. What starts as almost a lark turns into an international incident, but there is lots of fun to be had before the play resolves. A wonderful characterization of the Irish temperament, and excellent character parts for young men. War is about the serious competition to win a pub quiz, while dealing with the mundane life of job, wife and home. Both (I'm sure) would be outstanding productions for any adventurous theatre group.