Doyle, Roddy

Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958. After going to university (where he gained a General Arts degree) he taught English and Geography for 14 years in north Dublin. He wrote during his teaching career and now writes full-time.

His first novel, The Commitments, was published in 1987. It was successful and made into a popular film in 1992. The Snapper was published in 1990, followed by The Van in 1991. The three stories were set in the fictional Barrytown and featured in a collection called The Barrytown Trilogy.

Roddy and Paddy
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha was published in 1993 and won the Booker Prize. His writing is based on aspects of life in Ireland, particularly involving working-class characters and experiences. His themes and characters centre on the lives of Irish people.>

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is about a boy growing up in Ireland in the 1960s. Most of the stories which Doyle writes are about life there, particularly for the working classes. When the story begins, it is 1968 and Paddy Clarke is 10. Through Paddy’s story, the reader grows familiar with what life was like in the 1960s, both in school and at home. Elements of the story may be autobiographical mixed with fiction. Like most of Doyle’s other stories, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is set in the fictional Barrytown.

Photo credit: Roddy Doyle in the festival garden at Haus der Berliner Festspiele on September 14th, 2015, during his participation in the Children´s and Young Adult Program of the 15th International Literature Festival, Berlin: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_Doyle