The book is probably the best perspective ever of an in depth first hand analysis of middle class Anglo Irish relations in the 60's 70's and 80's, and possibly even prior to this.

To me it was a fascinating read as all of the characters were known to me as well as all of the localities outlined. To view them through the eyes of the Novelist was a very interesting experience as my own recollections and events were mirrored almost exactly by the Author.

We drank in the same pub, in Athenry, knew the same people, visited the same areas, in fact the book portrayed almost an exact description of my own adolescence and therefore I can testify directly to the intense accuracy of the character descriptions.

It is a rich nostalgic read, and outlines with great effect an era in Ireland where the society structure was beginning to change with the introduction of more cars, television and night clubs. Teenagers could now travel for entertainment and local meeting venues and activities began to decline.

Card playing in the village grocery shop, and "male bonding" pipe smoking afternoons in the village forge were no longer a focus.

Overall a thundering great read.

Tom Burke