Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958 and saw his first novel, "The Commitments" published in 1987. It was later adapted for the big screen, a version that saw Star Trek's Colm Meaney and a very young Andrea Corr among the cast. Doyle went on to win the Booker Prize in 1993 with "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha". This is his sixth novel and was first published in 1996.

"The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" is set in Dublin and is told by Paula Spencer, a woman in her late thirties. Both Paula's parents are dead, while only two of her siblings 'appear' in the book - her sisters, Carmel and Denise. She did have another sister, Wendy, who died in a motorbike accident, while her brothers - Roger, Edward and George - are only ever mentioned in passing. Paula's relationship with her father had once been good, though it seemed to have deteriorated as time went on. (Carmel, on the other hand, hated their father and subscribes to the view that all men are b@$t@rds). Paula, meanwhile, hasn't Roger in years, and isn't particularly bothered about it - theirs was another difficult relationship.

However, it's Paula's relationship with her husband, Charlo, that's central to the book. They have been separated for over a year as the book opens - though they are still technically, married. They couple had four children together, three of whom still live with Paula. (She hasn't seen her eldest son, John-Paul, in quite some time: she last heard of him squatting in some flats and suspects he's on heroin). She works as a cleaner, just about earns enough to make ends meet and is an alcoholic. As if all that isn't enough, the book opens with the arrival of a policeman at her front door to inform her of Charlo's death. Paula spends the book looking back over her life in general and her time with Charlo in particular.

While it isn't always a very cheerful book, Paula's story isn't one that will leave you feeling depressed. She proves to be a character you want the best for and, not only does she manage to raise a smile from time to time, she also manages to leave you with a bit of hope. Absolutely recommended.

To the finder:

Welcome to BookCrossing!

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RELEASE NOTES:

To be released at the BookCrossers' Meetup, as part of KarmelK's 'Celebrate the Irish' Release Challenge.

The book is set in Doyle's hometown of Dublin.

A book I have wanted to read for some time so joining the tbr pile!

Didn't enjoy this at first, as it seemed like a story of a poor dublin girl and how she coped with her difficult life as a single mother, but half way through the book it took off (no spoilers!) and the rest of the book was so well written I couldn't put it down!!

For release...

To the book finder - :-) Hello! What you have in your hands is an honest-to-goodness gift, no strings attached. You may; keep it forever and ever or; pass it on to a friend or; release it, like I did - into the wild! If you are new to bookcrossing and decide to re-release this book I hope you take moment to browse the website. I know it may seem a little curious to find this book “lying around waiting to be picked up by a passer by” but it's my way of touching the lives of others in a positive way, with the hope that it made your day. As for the book - Travel safely and well!

Now on the bookshelf at Esporta, for someone to find and read!

Sad to report, since Virgin Active has taken over the Esporta Club, they have declared a minimalist approach, and all the books on the bookshelf have been disposed of! So sorry if you are looking for this or any books at Esporta! Unless someone has taken this book before they removed them, and hasn't journaled it, they are gone to the books graveyard :-( Hopefully there will be a new OBCZ soon in the Holywood area! Watch this space!!