by Roddy Doyle
First published 1994
Paddy Clarke tears through the streets of Barrytown with his crew of restless friends. They play cowboys and Indians, carve their names into fresh concrete, and light small fires just to watch them burn. These boys are not criminals or troublemakers. They are simply full of energy with nowhere to direct it. Paddy knows that quiet moments often signal bigger events ahead. When his parents start fighting at home, he forces himself to stay awake through the night. He believes his vigilance will somehow protect his family from falling apart. The gang continues their adventures across the Irish neighborhood, but Paddy begins to sense that childhood cannot last forever. Change arrives whether anyone wants it or not. Sometimes that change brings improvement, but not always.
Genres: fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Barrytown, Ireland
Period: 20th Century
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