The Hard Life (Paladin Books) - Softcover

When two young boys, Finbarr and Manus, are tragically orphaned, the strange and eccentric Mr Collopy takes them under his wing and into his household. While Collopy is engaged in mysterious humanitarian work on behalf of local women, the boys grow up – in the odour of good whiskey and bad cooking.

Surprisingly, Manus proves to be a master of business. From teaching people to walk the tightrope by correspondence course and running the very successful Excelsior Turf Bureau and Zenith school of Journalism, Manus graduates to enlightening the world in more ambitious ways at his ‘London University Academy’. Finbarr, the youngest, watches and waits ...

“Mr Collopy presides over his house in Dublin, drinking whiskey and discussing the state of the world. Revelling in circular argument, in extravagant statement, his whole life is a celebration of the glory of talk. 'The Hard Life' is like a party, a boisterous one at which Irishmen meet fortuitously and rejoice in their wit.”
THE TIMES

“O’Brien’s gifts are startling. He has the outstanding Irish genius for describing the human animal and an extraordinary freedom of the English language. A tale of inspired eccentricity.”
OBSERVER

Also available in Flamingo: 'The Third Policeman, The Poor Mouth, The Dalkey Archive, The Best of Myles' and 'Myles Away from Dublin'.