Customer Reviews

Rockin' the Bronx

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Larry Kirwan is the leader of the popular Irish rock 'n reggae band Black 47. He is a fist-pumping, charismatic entertainer with boundless energy; a New York City demigod of the Irish diaspora. His original songs belted out in raucous bars have resonated with the Irish community of nannies, construction workers, civil servants, and preppies for over two decades. But he is so much more than that as evidenced by his latest novel, ROCKIN' THE BRONX, which captures the contemporary Irish immigrant experience as powerfully as Colum McCann's National Book Award winner LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN.

Kirwan's novel is set in the early 1980's. Sean Kelly, a naïve young Irishman, arrives in New York City to find his girlfriend, Mary, who has fled her stultifying life in rural Ireland. He finds her trapped in a forlorn underworld of Puerto Rican pimps, drug dealers and urban decay. Sean has sacrificed everything in his quest to bring her to her senses and return with him to Ireland, but she'll have none of it. Unable to afford a return flight, he works hauling bricks up scaffolds. But at night he haunts the immigrant bars on Bainbridge Avenue that will pay an Irishman with a guitar and a voice that, when sufficiently lubricated, isn't all bad. Refusing to succumb to circumstances beyond his control, he gains a toehold in a crumbling, but strangely compelling, new world.

The novel is as passionate, witty and soulful as its creator. The Bronx is burning, Bobby Sands is starving, Reagan is president and a mysterious plague people are calling AID's is beginning to devastate the community. But life goes on in the pubs and alleys of the Bronx as Sean Kelly, yet another Celtic wanderer, discovers that to find true home one must sometimes leave it.

For all of Kirwan's achievements as a performer, his greatest gift is as a novelist. I think ROCKIN' THE BRONX ranks as high as anything being put out by Roddy Doyle, John Banville and, yes, even Colum McCann. I highly recommend it.

Tom Shawver, owner of Bloomsday Books in Kansas City.

Larry Kirwan is becoming so much more than just the leader of irish rock band Black '47. His latest book Rockin' The Bronx tells the story of Sean who comes over to America from Ireland looking for his love Mary who moved into the Bronx to start a new life. This book takes place between 1980-1982. It is not only a love story but also is very funny, sad and political at times. The way that Larry Kirwan describes the Bronx bars, music and streets makes you feel as though you lived it. The story takes no shortcuts and is hard to put down with the twists and turns throughout the story. If you like Black '47's music then this story will be even more enjoyable for you. But, either way this book works and was worth the wait. It's a must read!!

Larry captures that beautiful Irish poetic style of writing in his own - rough around the edges, did the hardcore music thing kind of way. A little slice of history in a novel from a great writer that knows it from the inside to tell it. A truly enjoyable read.

As with many of his songs, Kirwan gives us a modern Irish immigration story that picks up where songs like the Phil Chevron's "Thousands are Sailing" left off; everybody went to America...then, what? Set in the New York of 1980, it's a great tale of resilience in the face of shattered expectations. It's a resilience that comes from a rare network of love and support that, unfortunately, only seems to emerge when a group of people are on the brink. The book's narrative arc is perfect but I still find myself daydreaming about what happened to these characters as they ventured out into the American fabric.

Although it's a work of fiction and, despite the young stud on the cover, I couldn't help but imagine a young Kirwan as the bespectacled, redheaded protagonist. The novel is a wonderful extension of the perspective he has presented in his music. I'm already imagining the opening credits of a film set against the first chords of "Her Dear Old Donegal."

In "Rockin the Bronx" Larry Kirwan weaves a story with power and skill that rivals his legendary musical gifts. This novel transcends his previous works and vibrates with the gritty passion of the early 80's. Savor this book the same way you would sip a Vintage Reserve Jameson Irish Whiskey. I found myself reading sections out loud for the pure joy of hearing the language. Larry's writing evokes a time, a place and a group of characters with a unique rhythm all his own. This book makes my short list of novels to be read over and over again.

Larry Kirwan is a master story teller. In "Rockin The Bronx" he takes it to a new level. Set in 1980-81 ,it is a story of love lost,found and lost again,of unrequited love, the love that comes out of friendship,and the love of one's country.The four main characters,undocumented Irish immigrants are so well written that by the end of the book,you feel they are like old friends.
You do not have to be Irish or a fan of Black 47 to enjoy this book, just a fan of a good,well written story.
If you have the chance,I recommend that you catch Larry's Rock and Read Tour and hear passages from the book read by the author.

Larry Kirwan's "Rockin' the Bronx" captures the personalities and imagery of struggling immigrants caught up in the world of rock 'n roll and adjusting to life in the Bronx circa 1980.
The clash of cultures between a longing to return to Ireland or adjust to life in America, as well as dealing with unrequited love, exposure to urban life, new ethnic groups and trying to create a world centered on music leap off the page, thanks to Kirwan's wonderfully emotive language. You can hear the pulse of the city and the Irish rock, as well as all the vocal dialects, as you read page after page. The characters and descriptive tale make this book great reading...and a natural for the silver screen.