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 show more 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. show less

I read this 30-some years ago after seeing the series on RTE, and I loved it almost as much as the adaptation. It's an excellent depiction of different classes and political affiliations, Dublin, the Catholic Church, focusing more on poverty than wealth but within "poverty" there are class gradations too. I also found it fun to read, even when I was in my early teens.

This book could hardly be described as a literary masterpiece, but it is as fine as fiction comes below that standard.

This book haunted me at a personal level for some time. Underlining the plot is a simple message- all people are fundamentally decent except that misfortune and the various vices that can befall a personality contort that decency until it is barely recognisable. This is a story of alcoholism, isolation, poverty, social prejudice: anything that corrodes what is good in people. show more But still the author sews a plot together with the thread of decency that remains. show less

A hard hitting story set in pre first war Dublin. The interleaved stories of several people rich and poor. Depicts grinding poverty in a very telling way. Reminds me of 'Ragged Trousered Philanthropist' but is better written and with a stronger story.
Good but depressing - should come with a health warning for when one is already out of sorts.