Customer Reviews

Cowboys and Indians

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like Ardal O'Hanlon's The Talk of the Town, this Irish coming of ager features a flawed protagonist who has uncomfortably settled in the big city (here London), and is struggling to make his way (here as a musician), and is involved in a serious relationship beyond his ability to handle. Unlike in O'Hanlon's book, the reader here can find enough good in Eddie Virago to root for him at least part of the time as he makes his way toward adulthood. Perhaps the best aspect of the novel is the bevy of believable and interesting characters involved in the story, from his Asian landlord Mr. Patel, to American best friend Dean Bean, to various bandmates and scheming pseudo-manager. It's a good read, and as in real life, self-centered Eddie's realizations often arrive too late to do any good.

A very visual book, especially if you grew up with the London punk scene. The characters are vibrantly real and though not very likeable, you find yourself sympathising with them all the way! A very enjoyable book.

I was given this book in 1993 and continue to read it on a regular basis 6 years later. Joseph O'Connor continues to be not just my favorite Irish author, but my FAVORITE, period.

This Joseph O'Connor is an Irish novelist, NOT the NLP trainer and author of the same name.