Description

Book Synopsis

Longlisted for the 2015 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

Jimmy Rabbitte is back.

The man who invented the Commitments back in the eighties is now forty-seven, with a loving wife, four kids ... and bowel cancer. He isn't dying, he thinks, but he might be.

Jimmy still loves his music, and he still loves to hustle. On his path through Dublin he meets two of the Commitments Outspan, whose own illness is probably terminal, and Imelda Quirk, still as gorgeous as ever.

This warm, funny novel is about friendship and family, about facing death and opting for life.

Includes the short story Jimmy Jazz



Trade Review
A visceral tragicomedy – as raw and as funny as anything [Doyle’s] written. -- Olivia Cole * GQ *
Remarkable, relevant and, surprisingly for a book that’s ostensibly about cancer, joyful. -- Kevin Maher * The Times *
Life-affirming and trimphant * Irish Post *
A fond, comic treat. * Sunday Times *
This is Doyle back in Barrytown and on top form, especially at the festival which closes a glorious book. -- Harry Ritchie * Daily Mail *

The Guts

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 25 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Roddy Doyle

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Vintage Publishing
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 26/06/2014
      ISBN13: 9780099587132, 978-0099587132
      ISBN10: 0099587130

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Longlisted for the 2015 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

      Jimmy Rabbitte is back.

      The man who invented the Commitments back in the eighties is now forty-seven, with a loving wife, four kids ... and bowel cancer. He isn't dying, he thinks, but he might be.

      Jimmy still loves his music, and he still loves to hustle. On his path through Dublin he meets two of the Commitments Outspan, whose own illness is probably terminal, and Imelda Quirk, still as gorgeous as ever.

      This warm, funny novel is about friendship and family, about facing death and opting for life.

      Includes the short story Jimmy Jazz



      Trade Review
      A visceral tragicomedy – as raw and as funny as anything [Doyle’s] written. -- Olivia Cole * GQ *
      Remarkable, relevant and, surprisingly for a book that’s ostensibly about cancer, joyful. -- Kevin Maher * The Times *
      Life-affirming and trimphant * Irish Post *
      A fond, comic treat. * Sunday Times *
      This is Doyle back in Barrytown and on top form, especially at the festival which closes a glorious book. -- Harry Ritchie * Daily Mail *

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