McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (The Hungry Student) - Softcover

Mccarthy, Pete

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340793104 ISBN 13: 9780340793107

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2000

Synopsis

Pete McCarthy, a poor sentimental English fool in love with Ireland, journeys around the Emerald Isle unable to go past a pub with his name on it, and meets married priests, Guinness drinking nuns, English hippies and German musicians in a thoughtful, funny journey of discovery.

About this title

Review:

The premise of Pete McCarthy's first book is that you should never pass up the opportunity of having a drink in a bar that shares your name. There is clearly more to this plan than the obvious publicity stunt, since it seems to work with books as well--my favourite author is Cormac McCarthy and, after reading this hilarious, informed and intelligent book, I am tempted to buy books by every other McCarthy around.

Born in Warrington, Pete McCarthy decides to go back to rural Ireland, to rediscover his Irishness. The feeling that you have heard this sort of thing all before doesn't last for long. There is a serious writer struggling to make himself heard above the many excellent jokes and this is what makes McCarthy's book so distinctive. Although he can crack Brysonesque quips with the best of them ("I've often wondered how businessmen used to cope before [mobile phones] were invented. How did they tell their wives they were on the train?"), and take us through hilarious and largely drunken set-pieces, McCarthy is equally at home discussing Celtic standing stones and the potato famine.

The resulting book is a wonderful debut. By the end, we, too, would like to move to Ireland. You sense that McCarthy has such a genuine feeling for Ireland, Irishness and Irish history that he can only temper his writing with side-splitting humour. In this way, hisfirst book successfully embodies much of what it is to be Irish. --Toby Green

Review:

Oz quotes

"McCarthy's Bar is so unrelentingly funny it needs to be taken in small doses ... When it comes to playing stooge in ridiculous travel situations, he makes Michael Palin look shy and Bill Bryson positively sombre." The Australian

"Wildly funny, laugh-out-loud." Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.

"Wonderful ... the funniest thing I've read in years." The Examiner, Australia.

"One of the most wittily, poignantly and accurately observed travel books in Ireland to date ... he can draw a tear as effortlessly as he gets a laugh." The Sunday Age, Melbourne, Australia.

"I really loved this book. It rolls off the page like Guinness down a parched throat." Wendy O'Hanlon, The Sunshine Coast Sunday, Australia.

"Like travelling with a good friend." Herald Sun, Australia.

"Delightful ... a humorous and loving look at Ireland in all its beauty and eccentricity. It will appeal to all those who feel the pull of the Emerald Isle." The West Australian.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0340793104
• ISBN 13: 9780340793107
• Binding: Paperback