This is actually one of my fave Doyle's books. I would put it besides the Trilogy, even if I'd like to give more points to this, as I can't believe how this author can be so clear in describing such a difficult carachter in a great way. I don't want to tell more, you just have to read the book ;)


From us.penguingroup.com

Paula Spencer is the narrator and unlikely heroine of Roddy Doyle's fifth novel, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors. The mother of four children, she lives in a working-class suburb of Dublin. She is also a battered wife and an alcoholic. Paula's husband, Charlo, has been killed while escaping the scene of a crime he committed. Though Paula threw him out a couple of years ago, she recalls their early times together, filled with joy and lust. She remembers her rebellious adolescence, boys she dated and fantasized about, family outings, and summers at the sea, and she reflects on the events in her life that brought her to where she is today.

Doyle's portrait of a working-class woman in contemporary Ireland illuminates many of the problems facing that country's working poor, yet Paula is a wonderfully unique character—honest about her feelings, fearless in her efforts to protect her family, subject to fits of anger and depression that threaten to undo all that she has accomplished. Doyle takes his time revealing Paula to us. This account of her life is not chronological but spiraling, driven by memory and recurring images that spark these memories. Roddy Doyle's lean prose and his uncanny ear for dialogue brilliantly offset the drama that unfolds as Paula tells her story. It is this restraint that makes his writing so compelling, that allows us to accept, understand, and champion Paula in her struggle to reclaim her dignity.

Roddy Doyle jokingly acknowledges that he might have titled the novel Paula Spencer Boo Hoo Hoo. However, there is no doubt that he has reached a new level of mastery in this deceptively complex portrait of a woman and a family in trouble.

This book is now a ring, and here's the list of readers:

Hawkette
Hippolein
Frangelle
Bibounde
Etnagigante
Dottazel
Mickey81
Lupurk

Just a few, simple rules.
Make a JE when you receive the book and one when you finish it. Be sincere, I don't care if you didn't like the book, that's how life is ;) I better like true comments and I don't get offended :P But please, try to write a bit, not just "it's leaving" ;)
Feel free to underline with crayons, choose a colour and say which one you took.
Take one bookmark, leave something in if you want.
If you have problems, contact me and we will work them out ;)
Happy reading to you all!!

Was on my doorstep waiting for me when I returned from a trip this weekend.

A strong powerful little book, taking you to the dark places of domestic violence and the cycle of hurt, guilt, love, hope and pain of that experience. Told so well, through triggered memory, each blow to the story lands like an assault on Paula.

The Irish tones, and tough life seeps through.

Will be in the post back to the other side of the world on Monday - thanks for your patience with my hold up!

This book arrived today in Finland, safe and well!
Looking forward to reading it, only 2 books ahead of it.

I'm sorry to tell, but this is not my type of book. I struggled through the first 70 pages of the book and than I just had to give up. I couldn't consider reading this book as being a way of joy and fun, it was creating more stress than I could handle, although I have no idea why it would have done so.

I'll try to contact the next on the list to send on the book!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sorry it took a bit to send this out, money was a bit tight until now.
Hope it makes the trip safely and fast!

Received, sorry I forgot to journal it, and as aresult forgot it was a bookring! Sorry peoples! Will read then release x

This book was really well written although I found it wasn't what I expected, and had to force myself through in parts. I went from sypathising with Paula to becoming frustrated with her attitude to her children.

On its way to Bibounde now x

Received today. Thank you.

Here with me

When Police knocks on your door, you oughta be ready for worst. This kind of visit lets Paula Spencer think. Charlo's wife, even if she doesn't know where he is, begin thinking all her life, from the teenagehood till present day. Dublin's life, with people's marks and money trouble, is nothing compared to beeing kicked or slapped by own husband, especially when nobody seems to see. There's always a door to walk into or a domestic lack of attention for doctors. Paula lives again her life with us, letting us know about her problem with alcohol, money and relationship with parents and family. All these records bring us to the news about her husband.
Reading about real life problem is not easy when you expect relax from a book, but this novel flows without stops, even with all the incidents, people misunderstanding and sore for Paula. I appreciate Doyle's work, Dublin, with school and teaneger life.

Sent this morning to Dottazel.

Un libro scritto da un uomo che sente come una donna e forse meglio di una donna riesce a raccontare non "quello" che sente ma "come" sente. Un personaggio molto bello, tristissimo, disgraziato, la protagonista di questa storia incarna e rappresenta tutte le altre donne le cui vite sono dominate dalla violenza, dalla sofferernza, dalle umiliazioni che esse vedono e capiscono ma ch sembrano asumener un valore diverso assolutamente avulso da ciò che sono veramente. Come tutte le donne vittime di abusi anche qui siamo di fronte ad una donna che scusa il proprio torturatore fino a convincersi che anche la violenza è una dimostrazione di amore e anche dopo che lei si ribella alla sua condizione e finalmente si libera di colui che l'ha ridotta ad una larva, ad una lontana immagine della ragazza vitale e spensierata, non ce lo dice mai, quasi si vergognasse anche del giudizio del lettore, ma noi lo indoviniamo lo stesso che lei continua ad amare il marito violento, fino a sentirsi responsabile del disastro cui lui va incontro. Un libro bello spietato che ti lascia con l'amaro in bocca e un senso di sconfitta, forse solo un uomo poteva scriverlo, una donna avrebbe cercato il riscatto e il proseguire della vita.

Reiceved today, I'll read it soon!

The story of Paula, a woman who lives in a suburb of Dublin. A portrait of a working-class woman, full of violence and poverty!A book that brings us to many considerations about life and the events that brought us where we are today!
I liked the way in which the author, "a man", describes feelings, fears and struggles of a woman!I prefer this book to the other one that I read by Roddy Doyle, The Commitments!
Thank you very much Liz and happy reading to the next in the list!:)

The book's with me, I can't wait to read it!

A book every woman should read. It's strange to call it beautiful, because the theme is all but beautiful. Still, the way Doyle tells us Paula's story, going back and forth through time, beginning from the end and then letting memories tell the rest, is brilliant.
Facts, feelings, even the choice of words, everything fits perfectly, it almost seems written by a woman, it's impressive.

I kept it quite a lot, I'm sorry, evev if I'm the last in the ring!
I thank lizzyblack for letting me read this wonderful book (and practice my English, that's always a good thing! :P).

Rilascio in occasione del Munz 2016!