Tuesday, May 30, 2006

We are all individuals


I've been quite taken by this Dublin: One City, One Book thing. It is a scheme whereby Dublin City's Public Libraries are trying to get everyone in Dublin (and everyone who visits Dublin) over the next few weeks to read Flann O'Brien's At Swim, Two Birds. There are exams at the end of the process, and anyone who cannot demonstrate that they have read the book will be put in jail.

I have been meaning to read the book for some time, and this is just the excuse I need. I will let you know how I get on.
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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous31/5/06 09:14

    I don't think it's a great book to push. I'd have gone for Roddy Doyle, or Dubliners, for something more directly connected to the city.

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  2. Anonymous31/5/06 10:10

    Weirdly, Brian started re-reading it just before they launched the campaign. Coincidence OR DUBLIN LIBRARY MIND CONTROL RAYS?

    I have a copy if you want to borrow it, though it is tres aged and possibly prone to falling apart.

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  3. Trish Byrne31/5/06 11:25

    I have a copy too. You can HAVE it. I am famed for being the only person in the world who thinks that this book is a piece of over-rated nonsense.

    Still, I do really like the idea of trying to get people to read books that aren't that obvious.

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  4. Paul31/5/06 15:04

    The Third Policeman, by Myles na gCopaleen/ Flann O'Brien/ Brian O Nolan is a fantastic book - one of the best.

    The author was raised entirely through the Irish language up to the age of around 12. Then he was moved from immersion in Gaeilge to immersion in English - could this explain his relationship with language??

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  5. Chinn31/5/06 15:41

    hi found your blog on choc socialist and KvSs blog. Its Emma, former flatmate of KvS and current half of the donal and emma duo. You may remember me from the great ipod wars of the lesser known 1st ATP weekend....anyway.

    its a good book but why not something more up to date and with pictures. A rough guide to Dublin perhaps?
    Anyway i knew these library people were in on the conspiracy (the big one.) They keep after me for that 14e i owe when i forgot to leave back a Jeeves and W tape.
    Roddy Doyle is a good suggestion

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  6. ian31/5/06 23:33

    I'm not convinced by these Roddy Doyle suggestions... they're all about imaginary northside suburbs, while ASTB has the author going for a pint in Brogans within the first couple of pages.

    Apart from that, nice comments, and hello to you all.

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