An Evening of Long Goodbyes

This is the story of the Hythloday family, made rich by the father's work in the cosmetics industry, but after his death, finding that they aren't as well-off as they once thought. This is particularly a problem for our narrator, the 24 year son, Charles, who has dedicated his life to the art of graceful living i.e. not doing much at all other than drinking and watching old films. But a series of events led Charles to being forced to leave his beloved home, having to live and, for the first time in his life, work in modern day Dublin. There is a lot of 'fish out of water' comedy as the Bertie Wooster-like Charles interacts with ordinary people. In the meantime, Bel has set up a community theatre, which creates the opportunity for a show more harsh but accurate send up of this particular branch of the performing arts. I found this book very funny and despite (or perhaps because of?) his snobbery, I found Charles a surprisingly endearing narrator. There are also some great minor characters in here too - particularly the postman turned private investigator, who deserves a book all to himself. There is also a great chapter featuring the poet Yeats, which is one of the funniest things I've read in some time. Highly recommended. show less

Sometimes it's because it's interesting. Sometimes because it's funny. Sometimes it's because it's challenging, true-to life or beautifully crafted. It may even be because you think it will improve you.

Yes, there are many reasons to like a book. The reason I liked, and came to love, this one, is because it was just so damned enjoyable. In the over-used expression of the enthusiastic teacher, it was a pleasure to read. The nearer I got to the end, the sadder I became at the thought that it would soon be over.

It wasn't at all what I expected. And if somebody had described the plot to me beforehand, I might never have bothered to read it at all - the story of an upper-class, Irish layabout who could be something out of P.G. Wodehouse, show more fretting about losing his family home and also about his sister's romantic liaisons, whilst steadily drinking his way through what's left of his father's wine cellar and a series of gin gimlets (I didn't even know what one of those was before I looked it up).

But, if that doesn't float your boat, ignore it. "An Evening of Long Goodbyes" is brilliant. Wonderfully written, with a vocabulary that's erudite and sometimes even exotic, but which never gets in the way. There are a number of laugh-out-loud moments; some characters unlike anything else you're likely to find in a modern novel; and a plot which may appear to meander but which actually knows exactly where it's going and why.

But more than anything, it's very touching. The more I read, the more I began to care - really care - for this rather pathetic hero and his highly-strung sister. And to realize that, in an entirely natural way, he was profoundly in love with her.

I rarely read books twice - there's not enough time to read anything other than a small proportion of those I would like to read once - but this is one I may well return to. I also appear to be in something of a minority in regarding this as a much better book than "Skippy Dies", which I read immediately afterwards, and found a little disappointing in comparison. show less

This is Murray's first novel and having read and enjoyed his other 2 novels, I decided to read this. Murray's talent for prose is excellent. He is a wordsmith of the highest order. The plot concerns a Irish 24 year old playing at being an aristocrat. Charles is not a likable character and Murray does skewer the upper classes while also pointing his pen at the then booming Irish accompany. Though very funny most of the time, the book is all over the place and at 424 pages could have done with a little editing. Had I read this book first, I may never have read Murray's other 2. I strongly recommend "Skippy Dies". A great book. Once you have read Murray's 2 other novels, you may want to read this. It is also good to see the first book of show more an excellent author and see the improvement. I will read Murray's next book for sure. show less

READ IN ENGLISH

Skippy Dies was read as a group read on the Dutch forum Ezzulia.nl. I don't think we've ever read a book that caused so much different opinions and discussion. Needless to say, I was very curious to Paul Murray's first book An Evening of Long Goodbyes.

Well, it certainly isn't your standard novel. As in Skippy Dies, it feels sometimes as if nothing really happens (though actually in this book, quite a lot happens, but it feels never hasted). Combine this with a fantastic sense of (ironic) humour, and I've to admit that I really liked this one. It's no Skippy, but it's definitely worth a read!

Very enjoyable, funny, tragic and touching in equal measures. Charles is a great character who tries to get a handle on life throughout the book with mostly hilarious consequences. Other characters are varied and interesting too. A cut above your average comedy melodrama.

READ IN ENGLISH

Skippy Dies was read as a group read on the Dutch forum Ezzulia.nl. I don't think we've ever read a book that caused so much different opinions and discussion. Needless to say, I was very curious to Paul Murray's first book An Evening of Long Goodbyes.

Well, it certainly isn't your standard novel. As in Skippy Dies, it feels sometimes as if nothing really happens (though actually in this book, quite a lot happens, but it feels never hasted). Combine this with a fantastic sense of (ironic) humour, and I've to admit that I really liked this one. It's no Skippy, but it's definitely worth a read!

Very funny. I laughed aloud at various points. A trawl through Dublin in the Celtic Tiger era from Dalkey to the fictional slum Bonetown. The recruitment agency definitely jogged my memory of the boom times. It kept my interest throughout - there was always a new twist in the plot before interest could start to flag.