Karl MacDermott, writer-in-residence in his own home, here casts a wry but sympathetic novelistic eye on family relationships, sex, friendship, job insecurity and Irish funerals. Roddy Bodkin, a 43-year-old loser fired from his job at Walking Tours Galway for telling cock-and-bull stories such as that the Modh Coinníollachs were a barbaric medieval Irish tribe, believes he can carve out a career in stand-up comedy. He attends a comedy workshop with a forthright farmer, scribbler poet friend whos convinced theres a sinister correlation between the growth in the number of coffee shops and comedians. Learning little from the workshop and following a break-up with his long-time girlfriend, Roddy tries London, only to return ignominiously to Galway. More hapless adventures follow as our middle-aged everyman fitfully pursues his dreams in this hilarious novel. - Brian Maye, The Irish Times
