James Plunkett (1) (1920–2003)

This should be The Book About Dublin, rather than Ulysses. Don't get me wrong, I like Ulysses, but vivid and all as Dublin is in that book, it's nowhere near as instantly recognisable as the city in 'Strumpet'. This is a gregarious book, in and among the characters of the city, from the destitute in tenements to the rich landlords on the coast. We are never locked completely into the perspective of one or two characters - instead we see the humanity of them all, even the ones who often behave irredeemably. That sense of connection is what gives the book its vividness and lasting impression. Even though Dublin is a very different city today, it still feels recognisable through characters like Rashers, Pat Bannister and Lily Maxwell. And it goes without saying that the book did a very important job of reminding Ireland of the significance of the 1913 lockout, at a period when middle-class Catholic Ireland preferred to pat themselves on the back for being nationalist rebels, and not to be reminded of the many ways they betrayed the poor when it seemed the status quo was about to be really challenged. Though the story is bleak in many ways, the humour of the characters and the power of their convictions still leave an uplifting impression. Read this if you want to understand Dublin, and urban Ireland more generally. And if you want to enjoy a really good story, of course.… (more)

A good book of historical fiction set in Dublin and focusing on the Lockout of 1913. There are characters from all walks of life and the story relayed is realistic. The plight of the poor can not possibly leave the reader unmoved. In the foreground you have a set of fictional characters, in the background the well-known Jim Larkin. My complaint is that you can easily sort the characters into two groups - the villains and the heroes.

The bottom line: I felt I ought to be more engaged than I was.… (more)