The Scrapper - Softcover

O'Carroll, Brendan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0862785383 ISBN 13: 9780862785383

Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd, 1997

Synopsis

From the rowdy backstreets of Dublin, full of earthy homour and spirit, emerges a young boxing hopeful - Sparrow McCabe. Sparrow's dream is the World Lightweight Championship. But when he finally has it in his grasp he can't deliver the finishing punch. Sparrow's life falls apart, and fifteen years later he's a bum, a loser. Then something happens that convinces him that there are still things worth fighting for...

About this title

Review:

the tone is always very realistic with his usual flair for natural dialogue...with plenty of tension, some classic O’Carroll humour and a variety of well described characters this is a simply written, entertaining story

(Northern Standard)

Following hot on the heels of Brendan’s trilogy of novels...this is sure to have its devotees. There seems to be no stopping Brendan O’Carroll

(Modern Woman)

I could not put it down, I was totally engrossed...this was a magnificent read and establishes O’Carroll as a writer who understands his subject and writes with a feeling and depth that you would not expect from a comedian. Give it a read

(Big Issue)

Admirers of the moustached comedian’s previous books...will need little prompting to buy the new one. O’Carroll’s ear for the conversation of suburban working-class Dublin is as sharp as ever, and he moves the story along at a smart pace

(Sunday Tribune)

A great story and ample evidence of Brendan O’Carroll’s skill as an entertainer and raconteur

(The Examiner)

A simple but pacey cops and robbers story with a fair sprinkling of the kind of humorous flourishes one would expect from O’Carroll....an enjoyable read

(Tuam Herald)

Fans of Brendan O’Carroll will welcome this latest excursion into his territory of Dublin’s back streets...after many hilarious adventures Sparrow emerges a wiser and better man.

(Leinster Leader)

When are we going to be able to buy shares in this man?

(Evening Herald)

'something of a classic tale in the modern mode'

(Books Ireland)

... another fine piece of work by one of this country’s finest entertainers ...the story is great ... you’ll enjoy this read

(Evening Echo)

About the Author:

Author and star of the Bafta-nominated sitcom Mrs Browne's Boys, the Brendan O'Carroll story begins very modestly. The youngest of eleven children, Brendan O'Carroll was born in Dublin's inner-city in 1955. His mother, Maureen was a Labour TD (MP) and a huge influence on his life. He left school at 12 and worked as a waiter, trying many other occupations in his spare time - disco manager, milkman, pirate radio disc-jockey, painter-decorator etc. For a time he ran his own bar and cabaret lounge before being persuaded to try the comedy circuit. The gigs were small at first and even included his own version of 'Blind Date', but word soon got round about this original and outrageous funnyman and then there was standing-room only. The real turning point in Brendan's career was his first appearance on The Late Late Show, Ireland's longest-running chat show: the studio audience and the viewers loved him. His first video Live at the Tivoli went straight to No 1, knocking U2 out of the top slot and pushing Garth Brooks to No 3. He was voted Ireland's No 1 Variety Entertainer at the National Entertainment Awards. He has made many top-selling videos, and a bestselling record, as well as touring in Ireland, the UK and the USA. The radio show Mrs Browne's Boys, written by and starring Brendan, had a phenomenal audience and led to the creation of Agnes Browne as the central character in Brendan's first novel, The Mammy. The book topped the bestseller charts in Ireland for months and was filmed by Anjelica Huston as "Agnes Browne". The sequel to The Mammy, The Chisellers, was also a long-running bestseller, and the final book in the trilogy, The Granny, went straight to No 1 in the Irish Bestseller list; the first print-run sold out immediately. Meanwhile Brendan wrote a play, The Course, which had a five-month sell-out run in Dublin in has toured in England, Scotland and Canada. Brendan can be seen on the big screen in the film of Roddy Doyle's The Van, in which he plays alongside Colm Meaney of Star Trek and The Snapper fame. He tours regularly with the Mrs Browne's Boys.

About this edition

• Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0862785383
• ISBN 13: 9780862785383
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208