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Smile

By Roddy Doyle
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3.44 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 4,636 ratings, 644 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Smile by Roddy Doyle is a gripping tale centred around Victor Forde, a man attempting to rebuild his life. As he revisits his past, an unsettling encounter with a mysterious figure from his school days spirals him into a journey of self-discovery and introspection. This thought-provoking novel delves into themes of memory and identity, creating an engaging and introspective narrative.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate compelling character studies and explorations of memory and identity. The narrative offers a deep dive into personal history with Doyle's characteristic wit and heart, weaving a tale that combines pathos and intrigue. It is perfect for readers who enjoy stories with complex emotional layers and surprising revelations.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The hilarious yet devastating new novel from the Man Booker Prize-winning author of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and The Woman Who Walked into Doors.

Just moved into a new apartment, alone for the first time in years, Victor Forde goes every evening to Donnelly's pub for a pint, a slow one.

One evening his drink is interrupted. A man in shorts and a pink shirt brings over his pint and sits down. He seems to know Victor's name and to remember him from school. Says his name is Fitzpatrick.

Victor dislikes him on sight, dislikes too the memories that Fitzpatrick stirs up of five years being taught by the Christian Brothers. He prompts other memories too - of Rachel, his beautiful wife who became a celebrity, and of Victor's own small claim to fame, as the man who says the unsayable on the radio.

But it's the memories of school, and of one particular Brother, that he cannot control - and which eventually threaten to destroy his sanity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Roddy Doyle's Smile is praised for its vivid language and deep character exploration, capturing a middle-aged man's reflections on his schooldays before delivering a surprising twist in the narrative. Critics commend Doyle's ability to create an emotionally moving and thought-provoking story that challenges readers’ perceptions. The novel's craftsmanship is recognised as both masterful and brave, offering a complex and unexpected ending that inspires reflection and admiration for Doyle's bold approach.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784706357

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 June 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 160g

Pages: 224

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Roddy Doyle

About the Author

Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958. He is the author of twelve acclaimed novels including The Commitments, The Snapper, The Van and Smile, two collections of short stories, and Rory & Ita, a memoir about his parents. He won the Booker Prize in 1993 for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

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