Himself

A Novel

By: Jess Kidd

Narrated by: Aidan Kelly

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Having been abandoned on the steps of an orphanage as an infant, lovable car thief and Dublin charmer Mahony assumed all his life that his mother had simply given him up. But when he receives an anonymous note suggesting that foul play may have led to his mother's disappearance, he sees only one option: to return to the rural Irish village where he was born and find out what really happened 26 years ago.

From the moment he sets foot in Mulderrig, Mahony's presence turns the village upside down. His uncannily familiar face and outsider ways cause a stir among the locals, who receive him with a mixture of excitement (the women), curiosity (the men), and suspicion (the pious).

Determined to uncover the truth about what happened to his mother, Mahony solicits the help of brash anarchist and retired theater actress Mrs. Cauley. This improbable duo concocts an ingenious plan to get the town talking about the day Mahony's mother disappeared and are aided and abetted by a cast of eccentric characters, both living and dead.

Himself is a simmering mixture - a blend of the natural everyday and the supernatural, folklore and mystery, and a healthy dose of quintessentially Irish humor. The result is a darkly comic crime story in the tradition of a classic Irish trickster tale, complete with a twisting and turning plot, a small town rife with secrets, and an infectious love of language and storytelling that is a hallmark of the finest Irish writers.

©2017 Jess Kidd (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

Fantastic

Incredible book, lyrically written. Told like a story passed down like a myth from a trusted grandmother. The Irish narration makes me want to cross the sea and begin a new life. Pain, friendship, discovery and growth are all explored like a new doctor picking through an infected wound, but shot through with colour and life and poetry. Highly recommended!

can't wait for the movie!

great writing, awesome narration. story is funny and scary. Now one of my favorites!One of those books you recommend to your friends. I enjoyed the descriptions of old Irish women and their fierce determination to right a wrong.

magical story read beautifully

With a lovely but understandable Irish accent, the narrator reads this story that caught me from the very beginning with its mystery and humor.

Weird but real good.

I enjoyed the whole book. it was weird from the beginning but still a really good listen.

More like this, please.

Secrets upon secrets, a missing person mystery, all with some magic sprinkled though out.
Yes, please!
Jess Kidd is masterful at combining the real and surreal in this book. And, Aiden Kelly does a superb job with narration. One of my all time favorites on audible.
I couldn't agree more with the publishers review below:
"Himself is a simmering mixture - a blend of the natural everyday and the supernatural, folklore and mystery, and a healthy dose of quintessentially Irish humor. The result is a darkly comic crime story in the tradition of a classic Irish trickster tale, complete with a twisting and turning plot, a small town rife with secrets, and an infectious love of language and storytelling that is a hallmark of the finest Irish writers."

Enchanting & Fabulous

If only I could turn back time so I could read/listen to this book anew.
This book took me on a journey I didn’t want to end. No words I can muster would do this book justice .
The narrator, Aiden Kelly, exceptional. I could listen to his voice all day, everyday, forever.
A true treasure!!

one of the best

Outrageously funny!! Shockingly horrific at moments and seriously sad as well.
Jess Kidd describes so perfectly you can see the spaces and people right before you.
<Spoilers>
Being an oprhan myself, I was incredibly moved by the scene where the main character receives a suitcase of his mother's belongings.
You could see the baby clothes in the suitcase as he saw them but then the old shoes of his mother.
It still had the imprint of her foot in the shoe. Of course that means the world to a child that never knew his mom. Then the silver backed hair brush with some long black hair caught in the tines. Maybe its not the same if you have never had to go without your parents but Jess Kidd describes it exactly how I think I would feel.

A scene with a dog had me crying outloud . Really awful and beautiful in turns.

The dead, the ghosts are almost a side note but just a part of the every day life and you just except it naturally as it goes along.

Its all life Irish style or life with a twist in 1976 but you have to pay attention.
Standing ovation to the narrator Aiden Kelly.

Wonderful Irish expressions and humor but too much supernatural for my taste

I am directly and deeply connected with the Irish culture and I thoroughly enjoyed expressions and characters from that culture. That was the most pleasure that I got from this book. Dipping into the supernatural is just nothing I have any interesting. I think some people may love this but I had to wade through it for the taste of the Irish culture.

Another Amazing Tale!

Jess Kidd’s storytelling of a world-weary drifter and the miracle of characters he encounters is another haunting, yet touching tale from her oeuvre. Aidan Kelly’s narration brings each character’s personality to life in a brilliant performance. Highly recommended!!!

A dark intriguing story

The incident with the dog was excessively violent and ruined the book for me. I couldn't get it out of my head for the remaining story and that is where it ended for me.