Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (Roddy Doyle)

Written from a ten-year-old's perspective, this book will remind anyone of the fun, the pains and the misunderstandings of growing up. The star of the book is constantly asking "why", but gets no answers to find out what makes these strange adults behave as they do. Set in poorest Dublin, the adult characters struggle to make a life for themselves, while their children celebrate in the adventures of "messin". The black comedy finds highs in childhood, but eventually reflects on the challenge to sustain lasting relationships in a rapidly changing community. Barrytown is developing with the pace of change in the 1960's, and the characters tragically cannot keep up.