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Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? cover art

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?

By: Seamas O'Reilly
Narrated by: Seamas O'Reilly
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Summary

The Irish Times number one best seller 

An Post Biography of the Year

Séamas O'Reilly's mother died when he was five, leaving him, his 10 brothers and sisters and their beloved father in their sprawling bungalow in rural Derry. It was the 1990s; the Troubles were a background rumble (most of the time), and Séamas, at that point, was more preoccupied with dinosaurs, Star Wars and the actual location of heaven than the political climate.

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? is a book about a family of argumentative, loud, musical, sarcastic, grief-stricken siblings, shepherded into adulthood by a man whose foibles and reticence were matched only by his love for his children and his determination that they would flourish. It is the moving, often amusing and completely unsentimental story of a boy growing up in a family bonded by love, loss and fairly relentless mockery. 

©2021 Seamas O'Reilly (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"A gorgeous memoir." (Pandora Sykes)

"Tender, sad and side-splittingly funny." (Annie MacManus) 

"A heartfelt tribute to an alarmingly large family held together by a quietly heroic father." (Arthur Mathews, co-creator of Father Ted and Toast of London

What listeners say about Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Narrated far too quickly

I was so looking forward to listening to this book but the narrator spoke soo quickly that I just couldn't keep up. it's the first time that I've had this problem so had to give up after two chapters. Sorry as noone else has mentioned the excessive speed of narration.

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12 people found this helpful

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Brillant wit

This book is full of laughter. I’m very honoured to know Seamas & know his story xxx

Caraiosa

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5 people found this helpful

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Narrated too quick

A lovely story but spoiled by very quick narration.

A pity but I had to slow down speed for first time ever on audio

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4 people found this helpful

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Made me laugh and cry, often at the same time!

Full of humour and emotion as it describes growing up in a wonderfully weird family

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4 people found this helpful

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Beautifully written and narrated.


One of those books that will make you laugh (and cry) out loud.
If you only read/listen to one book this year - this is the one.


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3 people found this helpful

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  • HH
  • 28-07-21

Brilliant

What a brilliant book - funny, sad and honest. The best book I have listened to/read in years. Couldn't put it down! Beautifully written and narrated.

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  • J
  • 27-07-21

Funny, sad, lovely, unlikely yet wonderfully personal and welcoming

I love listening to autobiographies and memoirs that have been read by the author, and Séamas’ Northern Irish voice really helps bring this story to life. I laughed, cried, laughed again and repeat. Joe O’Reilly is a superhero and the love that Séamas writes with is lovely to be a part of, even if just for a short while.

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3 people found this helpful

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Clever, funny, poignant - but narration is poor

I really enjoyed the writing and the flow of the book. It's full of heart and has some stop you in your tracks moments. Alas, I really struggled with the author's narration. He speaks so fast, and clips his words. I constantly felt like I was missing what he was saying. I ended up setting the speed of the audio to 90%, which then made him sound a bit like he'd been at the valium. I wish I had read it, not chosen it on audible. Would recommend it - but read a physical copy.

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2 people found this helpful

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Outstanding

Beautifully sad and hilarious in equal measure.Although a true story it reminds me of the style of a Roddy Doyle classic

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2 people found this helpful

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Bittersweet and laugh out loud funny

Yes fast narration, but you get used to it and in my opinion it added additional humorous depths and timing. Tragic, honest and warm, and leaves you feeling you wish you knew his wonderful dad. Peppered in between with perspectives of Ireland’s sectarian struggles that are well timed and sensitive.

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  • Jo Bean
  • 20-05-22

Lovely

I’m so very glad I chose the audiobook read by the author over the printed version. Deeply moving, heartfelt and often very funny. I did appreciate being able slowing the speech just a tad as the author sometimes takes off at quite a clip! But oh, what a sweet and true journey it is.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 10-02-22

Exceptional & Refreshing

So beautifully written. Seamas O'Reilly welcomes the reader into his world from childhood into adulthood with the love and confusion of losing his mother. He balances it with the love and admiration of his father . His vulnerability in allowing us to follow this journey makes this a memorable and must read.

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  • doireann
  • 07-09-21

Fantastic!

Loved this book, laugh out loud funny but could have me bawling crying in the same breath

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  • Chris P.
  • 11-08-21

Beautifully Written, Wonderfully Narrated.

This book is eloquently written, funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. The narration is done by the author and I think his voice and telling the story using himself makes it that much more compelling. This book made me laugh, smile, get goosebumps, and made me reflect on my own relationship with my family. The author has a subtleness to his voice that makes it feel like you are listening to an old friend tell a story. The way he narrates the father's parts and talking like him is both hilarious and relatable. If you are not used to hearing the Irish dialect, I suggest slowing down the reading just a tad to make it easier. I am very glad a friend in Ireland recommended this book and can't recommend it enough as well.

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  • CaitB
  • 06-08-21

Absolutely Hilarious

Maybe it's that I'm Irish and we're known for our quirky and sometimes black humor but whatever the reason, I found this book to be so hilarious and sad and compassionate all in one go. O'Reilly does what most writers can't - making light of a death while celebrating a life.

Slainte to you, Mr. O'Reilly - I look forward to reading more of your work.

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