Customer Reviews

A Singular Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Halfway through this book, I knew I had to get my hands on anything by JPD out there. It is that good. Laugh out loud funny. IMO the gents will enjoy this more than their female counterparts. This book went down like a super fine singlemalt scotch on a warm fall evening. One of the finest works these eyeballs have viewed. And they have seen much. Not to be missed.

I wish I had written this book, but I didn't, so I'm glad he did. On the rare occasion I bring the title up I am not surprised to find that no one's ever even heard of it's author. I still haven't met in person anyone else who has read this book.

It's a perfect story, but not the kind I would read to my nieces or buy for my grandmother. I still recommend it to anyone who has ever thought that something's not quite right and they can't decide if the people they meet are really as convoluted and arrogant as they think, or if maybe it's just them.

Anyone wants to read the greatest book of their life, well this might be it, so don't think too hard and try it.

Donleavy's humor insists there is something to laugh about in this world, but then you realise that what you are laughing out-loud at is, at best, something disgusting, or rude, or utterly insane... chicken soup for the soul.

When I read "A Singular Man" all I wanted to be was like it's hero, George Smith. I think he has it all, money, a non-descript life and everyone wants him.

Donleavy's style of mostly 2 or 3 three word, often verbless sentences captures the way we think perfectly, me anyway.

Donleavy has always been one of the great writers of humor. I think this is the best of his output. He certainly (in a witty way) gives us the feeling of the world closing in on us and our hope of some escape (but to a moseleum?).

Having visciously ensnared every opinion as yet posted upon this board, I am inclined to agree.

I also am of the opinion that this is the greatest book that I have ever read only just after the beastly beatitudes (also by JPD). And, I too wanted to be like Mr Smith the thought that he can have everything that he wants was at first, inconcievable that JPD can have created a character who can be capable of all success and ambition, so unlike Balthazar B.

So I pondered, what does he want and can he have it?

What does he want? He wants Miss Tomson and gets her in a way. He wants to be able to handle himself and he gets this. He wants to feel power and will once he dies but until then, he has to make do with the sound of thirtyfive thousand cheers.

So, yes I now agree that he can have most all which he desires. Naturally one wants to feel welcome, now I feel awkward Sorry for spouting I feel;

all dog all dead

george smith is a lot like donleavy's other protagonists in that he seems to have the outer trappings of refinement and composure while actively unravelling from the inside out.

the book, for the most part, is entertaining, though donleavy does tend to dip into his flights of self-indulgent fancy a bit too often for my taste. still, donleavy has his chops and manages to make things funny along the way.

"the lady who liked clean restrooms" is much better--and, of course, "the ginger man." this new one "sunrise on moonville" reminds me of a leaner, snappier donleavy as well. it's a good read, too.

I would not have believed it, but this one is even funnier than "The Ginger Man". I literally "laughed 'til I hurt" in many, many places. It is also interesting to note how he changes tense and even POV several times...in the same paragraph...and gets away with it. All of Donleavy's work is highly recommended, but particularly "The Singular Man." Those of you who have already read "The Ginger Man" will hear the echoes.

Donleavy seems to favor unlikeable characters in an unpleasant, often brutal, setting. This book is no different. The ambiguous surroundings, choppy dialogue, and maniacal cast of this book combine in a thoroughly distasteful manner. Don't give it to a friend, don't read it yourself.