Desperately disappointing
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"Star of the Sea" was my first encounter with O'Connor and I was eager to read his back catalogue after its brilliance. Unfortunately, "Desperadoes" seemed like it was written by another author entirely. The rich characters of "Star" were replaced by tired, modern stereotypes (the new age traveller, the withdrawn-but-strong working class parents, the rebellious son, the cunning Latin American police chief). I could not empathize with anyone in the novel and struggled to get through it at all. His other novels sit on my bedside table, but after reading this they tend to get regularly overlooked.
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I was there...!
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This took me back, as I was In Nicaragua at the very time that this book was set, so the resonances were huge. I did enjoy the book, and thought it a good yarn, but it suffered in my reading from being over-detailed - rather like one of those TV series where the old cars and toffee wrappers from the 1970's are a little to the fore. Nevertheless a good read, a great punt for us old sandalistas.
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One of his best
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Unlike one of your other reviewers I did not enjoy Star of the Sea, but I have read and enjoyed many of Joseph O'Connors books, and I rate this as one of his best alongside the Salesman. Be warned once you pick it up it is difficult to put down, I have just bought it again, because like all good books you want to lend it to your friends and then you never get it back do you!
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First class story teller
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I personally made the mistake of reading the author's finest book yet 'the Star of the Sea' and then 'Desperados' - expecting the same consuming calibre of writing. It left me disappointed but I can still give Mr O'Connor credit for a great & involving read; feeling I should not have embarked on this book with such a blinkered mindset. The relationships and journey of Desperados evokes plenty of heartache & lip biting tension. Each character is wonderfully crafted - it is clear Mr O'Connor is a first class storyteller! I say, give this book a go - you'll love it!
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The best book that I've read in a long time .
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I laughed out loud and I cried to myself! I'm not very good at writing reviews but my advice is "read it" and I promise you won't be disappointed. It is perhaps the funniest and at the same time the most poignant novel that I,ve come across in a long time.
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