Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor - Softcover

O'Brien, Flann

3.64

1,048 ratings by Goodreads

9781564780423: Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1564780422 ISBN 13: 9781564780423

Publisher: Dalkey Archive Press, 1995

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Subtitled “An Exegesis of Squalor,” The Hard Life is a sober farce from a master of Irish comic fiction. Set in Dublin at the turn of the century, the novel does involve squalor—illness, alcoholism, unemployment, bodily functions, crime, illicit sex—but also investigates such diverse topics as Church history, tightrope walking, and the pressing need for public toilets for ladies. The Hard Life is straight-faced entertainment that conceals in laughter its own devious and wicked satire by one of the best known Irish writers of the 20th century.

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From the Back Cover:

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'.

About the Author:

Flann O'Brien is the pseudonym of Brian O'Nolan who was born in Co. Tyrone in 1911. He lived in Dublin with his wife until his death in 1966. A graduate of University College, he joined the Civil Service. His career as a writer extended from his student days, through his years in the Civil Service, and the years following his resignation. His works include AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS, THE HARD LIFE, THE THIRD POLICEMAN and THE VARIOUS LIVES OF KEATS AND CHAPMAN AND THE BROTHER.

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