Description
Book SynopsisLiam O'Donnel, an Irish boy growing up in Scotland, is often the focus of Donal McLaughlin's hilarious and harrowing short stories, and in beheading the virgin mary, he continues this loose narrative, interspersed -- every second story -- with unrelated reports. Here, Liam steps in dog dirt on his way to Sunday Mass; Bloody Sunday is experienced as a series of phone calls to the home of a Scottish neighbor; and the title story introduces the next generation of O'Donnells. With his keen ear and inimitable spirit, the always innovative McLaughlin is one of the brightest lights of contemporary European fiction.
Trade ReviewThe language is consistent and wonderful, evoking something I have not yet seen in our literature--the meld of Scottish and Northern Irish. It's both a chasm and a bridge... I feel like I have stepped into a secret, although I'm not entirely sure what secrets I should or should not know. -- Colum McCann The rhythm king of Scottish fiction. -- New Statesman Frighteningly talented -- Metro McLaughlin uses his brilliant ear for living, leaping language to tell stories of how the great wars enter small and tender lives. He is a writer of such humanity! His prose, newly hooked, is alive and shining! Buy it! Buy it! -- Kiran Desai, winner of the Booker Prize for The Inheritance of Loss "Liquidly written, darkly witty, and highly recommended for literate readers; all Irvine Welsh and Kevin Berry fans should pick up..." Library Journal
