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Publisher's Summary

Patrick Clarke is a 10-year-old boy trying to make sense of his world. He is confused. His Ma and Da fight too much. School seems like a joke. And love, though it has a good reputation, seems pretty cruel. Paddy sees everything, but has trouble understanding it all. His story is an exuberant romp through the triumphs, indignities, and troublemaking detours of an Irish childhood.

Written with warmth and wit by the author of The Commitments, which was made into a hit movie, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is the most moving story about the humor and challenge of growing up since Catcher in the Rye.
©1993 Roddy Doyle (P)1994 Reed Audio

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing Listen

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Nothing. The stories never occurred as connected or coherent and was not interesting, though occasionally hilarious. Admittedly, I stopped listening half way through, though I do not think Roddy Doyle gave me no reason to finish.

Would you ever listen to anything by Roddy Doyle again?

Probably not.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Good narration of a difficult listen, for me.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Paddy Clarke Ha-Ha-Ha?

I would never have printed it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

wrong order

This isn't read in the correct order. What edition could he possibly be reading? I checked three copies and couldn't figure it found. It also skips some lines and parts. OK listen overall if you're not trying to read with the book.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Great story told through the eyes of a young boy. The narration by Aidan Gillen is exceptional.... full of exuberance and a lot of heart.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

engaging

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this audiobook to a friend. But I think it takes a certain taste to enjoy this story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paddy (of course). At first it's a little confusing following the flow of this kids thoughts, but once you get the hang of it... hang on.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked how he thought through his plan to run away. Very calculating.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to audiobooks during my commute that is done in 50 minute clips. Knowing I had this story waiting, made me look forward to the drive.

Any additional comments?

I love listening to an Irish brogue. But it also makes me work to pick up words pronounced differently than we would in the US, plus there were references to things I was clueless about. This is a book I will listen to again in order to pick up what I missed while I was trying to decipher some of the foreign words. It was a nice trip into the mind of a child.