Oh, Play That Thing (Last Roundup)

See Larger Image	List Price: $14.00 Our Price: $11.90 Your Save: $ 2.10 ( 15% ) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics) Written By: Roddy Doyle Average Customer Rating:


Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 822.914 EAN: 9780143036050 ISBN: 014303605X Label: Penguin (Non-Classics) Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics) Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 384 Publication Date: 2005-10-25 Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) Studio: Penguin (Non-Classics)
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Editorial Reviews: Praised as "a masterpiece" by the Washington Post, A Star Called Henry introduced the unforgettable Henry Smart and left Roddy Doyle’s innumerable fans clamoring for more. Now, in his first novel set in America, Doyle delivers. Oh, Play That Thing opens with Henry on the run from his Irish Republican paymasters, arriving in New York City in 1924. But in New York, and later Chicago—where he meets a man playing wild, happy music called Louis Armstrong—Henry finds he cannot escape his past. A highly entertaining cross-country epic and a magnificent follow-up to A Star Called Henry, this prodigious, energetic, sexy novel is another Roddy Doyle triumph.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Outstanding Story in the finest Irish (and American) Traditions Comment: "Oh, Play That Thing," is the followup to "A Star Called Henry" and is entirely complementary to the first part of this three part trilogy. I can't wait for part 3. The characters in these first two parts of the trilogy are unique but oh so fitting to the best (and worst) of Irish and American cultures and mythology. Love the tie in with Louis Armstrong, New York, Chicago, and other places (not to spoil the story before you read it). Roddy Doyle has a great ear and ability to write dialogue fitting of places and time. He combines the toughness of life with the greatness of life in people who live it fully and then some. Really enjoyed this book, and before it A Star Called Henry and can't wait for the next and final in the trilogy. Customer Rating: Summary: Great Second Installment Comment: Yes, 'Oh, Play That Thing' is different than 'A Star Called Henry'. It shows Henry during the next 20 or so years of his life but frequently references events from the first book. I don't agree with people getting upset about the change in Henry's personality - no one's (hopefully) the same when they're 30 as they were when they were 15; people grow and change and that is what Doyle has shown in 'Oh, Play That Thing'. It has been said that Henry isn't as likable in this book as he was in the first, but I didn't find that to be true. Coming from the background he did and living through some of the most tumultuous events of the early 20th century, it's only to be expected that he would develop some degree of a hardened exterior and put up some sort of protective barrier between himself and others. I loved it and can't wait for the third one! Customer Rating: Summary: Rhythm is Important Comment: I purchased this book on the recommendation of another author (in her review of her book she said her writing was influenced by the author). "Oh, Play that Thing" takes place in the 20's and through the dust bowl disaster, The main character is a savvy Irish immigrant who has landed at Ellis Island to start a new life in NYC. The author's way of writing is like a stream of thoughts and words. Reading the first few pages, I wasn't sure I liked the book, but as I got into the head and life of the Irish man, I got into the rhythm of his thoughts and the way the writing in the book worked so well. I found the story fascinating and the beat of time and his life very hypnotizing. How Roddy Doyle, the author, manages to insert a famous celebrity into the mix and engage you in the story is entirely successful, and I couldn't put it down. Customer Rating: Summary: WHERE WAS DOYLE'S EDITOR??? Comment: It's hard to imagine Roddy Doyle followed up a book as wonderfully rich and entertaining as A STAR CALLED HENRY with the flop OH, PLAY THAT THING. Where was Doyle's editor??? In A STAR CALLED HENRY, Doyle took the reader on an action-packed ride through turn-of-the-century Ireland with Henry Smart - a hero as incorrigibly loveable as any you'll meet. But in this sequel, where Henry escapes to America and finds himself in trouble with the mob, Doyle's writing suffers from three serious problems: confusing writing, boring plot, and shallow hero. My first criticism: The writing is overly tangential and difficult to follow. I found myself re-reading page after page, wracking my brains trying to understand what the heck was going on and continually wondering whether I'd missed something. I kept at it, hoping to discover a gem hidden in all the confusion. But I'm a die-hard reader; I seriously doubt many others will try as hard to make sense of prose that comes across as lazy rather than worthwhile. My second criticism: The story goes nowhere. A summary of this book is as simple as this: Henry Smart's on the run again and again because he keeps pissing off the mob. And then there's the almost magical coincidences Doyle tries to pull off - i.,e., out of all the houses in Chicago Henry might rob, he breaks into the one house where his wife (who he thinks is still in Ireland) is working as a maid. And if that's not enough, after Henry is treated to coinsidences so unbelievable the reader is left groaning at the absurdity, the guy squanders each and every one of them. My third criticism: Henry Smart's character is flat. While the first intallment (A STAR CALLED HENRY) treats the reader to a hero who's as loveable and exciting as any you'll come across, in OH, PLAY THAT THING Doyle squanders each and every ounce of Henry's charisma. Henry's choices and motives don't make sense anymore, and he comes across here as stagnant and shallow. Early in the book, because of Henry's arrogance and greed, he makes enemies with the mob. For the remainder of the book Henry's character goes nowhere. He runs from city to city making the same mistakes over and over again, never seeming to learn a thing about himself. Henry's character never grows. What makes all these problems so sad is the obvious effort Doyle put into writing OH, PLAY THAT THING. The book is infused with well-researched 1920's American culture. Along the way, Henry meets up with and befriends Louis Armstrong - and Doyle's enthusiasm and passion for music shines through here. Hands down, Louis Armstrong steals the show - Doyle infused his character with all the depth, passion and steam missing from Henry's. I kept reading this book, hoping if I sifted through the confusing writing and slow story I'd uncover a gem. I never did. Customer Rating: Summary: Skilled writer but poor novel Comment: After reading both Henry Smart books, I think Doyle possesses great skill to write but fails to deliver an acceptable novel. Oh, Play that Thing has moments that display his eloquence and prose that could lead to a 5-star book. But he fails to put it all together to form a traditional novel with the important features of plot, climax, character development and theme that appeal to readers. Doyle's characters are morally bankrupt, flaky, and create no connection to readers who will not be able to develop empathy for them. Further, the scenes and timeline are difficult to follow. I think that I am a seasoned reader but at times I did not know what was going on in the story. Yet, Doyle's skill was enough for me to at least stay with the book and finish it. If you have not read "A Star Called Henry," the previous Henry Smart book, I would advise you to stay away from both it and this one. If you read the prior book and have an interest in Smart, you may be interested in this book. Doyle does provide a glimpse of prohibition America that is interesting though I don't know how accurate it is. He lists numerous books on the age that were helpful to him, so I assume it is. Likewise with the character of Louis Armstrong in the book. More Reviews