Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle (born May 1958 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991.

Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.

Bibliography

The Barrytown Trilogy:
- The Commitments (1987, film 1991) — A group of Dublin teenagers, led by Jimmy Rabbitte Jr., decide to form a Soul band in the tradition of James Brown.
- The Snapper (1990, film 1993) — Jimmy's sister, Sharon, is seduced by a friend's father and becomes pregnant. She is determined to have the child but refuses to reveal the father's identity to her family.
- The Van (1991, shortlisted for the 1991 Booker Prize, film 1997) — Jimmy Sr. is laid off, as is his friend Bimbo. They both go in on a used fish and chips van and go into business for themselves.

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (1993, winner of the 1993 Booker Prize)
The Woman Who Walked Into Doors (1997) — a story of a battered wife, narrated by the victim; despite her husband's increasingly violent behaviour, she defends him, using the classic excuse "I walked into a door" to explain her bruises.
The Last Roundup:
- A Star Called Henry (1999) — The story of Henry Smart from his childhood till early twenties.
- Oh, Play That Thing! (2004) — Henry Smart's adventure into United States.