Review 'Julia Kelly is surely the freshest voice in Irish fiction since the wonderful early novels of Edna O'Brien. This is a future to watch' John Banville. (John Banville)Charmingly perceptive, laugh-out-loud funny…nothing short of a treat - Cecelia Ahern. (Cecelia Ahern)A page-turner. Kelly's acute observations about adolescence ring true, the reader will laugh… This is a stunning debut - Irish Examiner. (Irish Examiner)Confident? Skilful? Full of observations to die for? It's all of those and laugh-out-loud funny as well - Irish Times. (Irish Times) From the Back Cover Lucy is growing up in Dublin, dreaming of fitting in. Being like Alison from next door, with the good exam results, tennis prizes and the lovely boyfriend. That would be great. Unfortunately, she's not. Instead, she fails at exams, has never won a prize worth having and her relationships are never quite what they should be. Muddling her way to London to find work, have adventures and generally get away from her parents, Lucy lands a dream job. She doesn't really know what she's doing and spends most of her days trying to look busy by running everywhere and hiding with a good book. She even has a go at a relationship with the boss, but to no avail. Eventually, when a family crisis forces Lucy to grow up, she's going to realise that if she wants a better life, she'll have to take matters into her own hands. See all Product description
S**N
Superior First Novel
This is an extremely impressive first novel by an Irish writer destined to go on to even greater things. Caveat;if you are looking for a "chick -lit" diversion, then Lazy Eye is not for you. However, the more discerning reader will be rewarded by this perceptive, uplifting and at times quirky evocation of middle class Dublin family relationships, particularly between the narrator Lucy and her serially-disappointed father who defines her as woefully-underachieving. Lucy's first job- flying by the seat of her pants as a travel writer in London,and early tentative relationships with young men are conveyed with humour and verve.It is the mark of a superior writer to make us view the ordinary afresh and Julia Kelly achieves this throughout with consummate literary panache.
S**R
Wonderful Book ... Must read for all 30 something Dubliners!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I had no idea what to expect.The book is beautifully written. It is a story set in the Dublin of the late 1970' and 1980's about the journey of a young Dublin girl, Lucy, from her childhood to adulthood with all the frustrations, joys, coming of age, friendships, frustrations and family memories that could take place in any major city.It's main thread is Lucy's relationship with her father.The description of the Papal mass in the Phoenix Park in 1979 is so good it is worth buying the book for it alone. Indeed anyone in Ireland named John Paul should be made read this section as part of their 30th birthday celebrations as they may get a little insight as to what inspired their parents to have them in the first place.This lovely Novel is packed full of typical Dublin chilhood memories ...Bovril, Rice Krispies, MiWadi.Loop the Loops, Chopper Bikes, Debs, London, Exams,The Waltons, Love, Laughter and Sasperillas!!Is it any wonder that it took me ages to read as I kept drifting back into my own Dublin childhood.Delightful novel that is serious, funny and sad but always absolutely entertaining.Actually the previous reviewer missed the point .... Lucy's story is our story in that nothing appears to be happening on any particular day but when each day is added to the next the story is engrossing.Looking forward to the next one already!
J**C
Couldn't recommend this more!
I absolutely loved this book! It is beautifully written, so funny and so original. There's a great description in practically every paragraph - it made me laugh out loud so many times and there were some very poignant episodes too, especially towards the end. This writer is such a breath of fresh air. I'm so looking forward to her next one!
C**S
Honest story beautifully written
Reviewer Spanner summarizes it very well. I could enjoy the book even without being Irish. Very honest. The main character has a messy life, just like most of us, but I was intrigued by her story. And Julia Kelly writes beautifully, with original turns of phrases.
C**N
Engrossing read
Very interesting read for anyone reared of the era, especially for those with a history in Dublin in or around that time. Or if you were too young, an insight into a world gone-by.A different writing style to the usual chick lit books, you actually have to read the pages to connect with the story and gain from the book. It's not a mindless saunter through the chapters - a good replacement for the usual beach read. I couldn't put the book down when I read it and I look forward to the next one.
F**R
Definitely NOT Recommended
This is a very poorly written book. I do not understand how the author managed to find a publisher for it and I resent the time I wasted while I struggled through the meaningless language.
S**T
There's no story!
This book was terribly written and I fail to understand how it was published. I couldn't get past the first few pages because every sentence was peppered with contrived and unnecessary descriptions that just bogged it down and made it difficult to read (I really didn't care that 'someone had done a number two' in the bath and I couldn't understand the significance of it to the book or plot). In the opening chapter the book jumps from one instance to the next and I don't know whether I have an old fashioned idea of the purposes of a novel but I believe it is meant to tell a story. There was no story here, just a stream of random and over described sentences that became instantly forgettable as soon as I read the next.
D**N
very disappo
A very disappointing first novel.I patiently waited for something to happen but nothing did.I actually struggled to finish the book.Not recommended.
