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A Star Called Henry

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A Star Called Henry

By: Roddy Doyle
Narrated by: Roddy Doyle
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About this listen

 Born in the slums of Dublin in 1901, his father a one-legged whore-house bouncer and settler of scores, Henry Smart has to grow up fast. By the time he can walk he's out robbing, begging, often cold, always hungry, but a prince of the streets. At 14, already six-foot-two, Henry's in the General Post Office on Easter Monday 1916, a soldier in the Irish Citizen Army, fighting for freedom. A year later he's ready to die for Ireland again, a rebel, a Fenian and soon, a killer. With his father's wooden leg as his weapon, Henry becomes a republican legend, one of Michael Collins' boys, a cop killer, an assassin on a stolen bike.

An historical novel like none before it, A Star Called Henry marks a new chapter in Roddy Doyle's writing. It is a vastly more ambitious book than any he has written before. A subversive look behind the legends of Irish republicanism, at its centre a passionate love story, this is a triumphant work of fiction.

©1999 Roddy Doyle (P)1999 Random House Audiobooks Historical Fiction Fiction

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Critic reviews

"This is a radical departure for Doyle, and a stunning success." (Amazon.co.uk)
All stars
Most relevant
What a story! and brilliantly narrated by the author himself. I would thoroughly recommend this audiobook. The story is captivating and the characters are life size.

5 Stars! Amazing

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read it at one sitting. powerful. poetic. poignant. beautiful . cant wait to read more

riveting

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Brilliantly punchy dialogue, intriguing characters. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I w listened to it twice. Having the author narrate the story gives a real feeling of intimacy.

An amazing view of a fascinating time in Ireland

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The story begins implausibly with a one-legged bouncer but it soon takes off and becomes an exciting story of a young man whose early years are marked by poverty and exclusion. Later he becomes a rebelious hero. Roddy Doyle has gone to a lot of trouble to ensure the historical accuracy of the story.

Stimulating and educating

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A pleasure to listen to , would higly recommend. Roddy Doyle at his finest! beautifully read by the author.

a must!

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