Roddy Doyle discusses his latest book The Guts (Knopf, 2013), writing, Canadian writing, and more, with Joseph Planta.

The Guts by Roddy Doyle (Knopf, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Guts

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Roddy Doyle joins me now. The acclaimed writer is in town for appearances to promote his latest book, The Guts, already a critical success in Ireland, England, and the United States, not to mention this country. It’s a follow up to his noted 1987 novel, The Commitments, which was a huge hit, and later an important film. There were also two other books in the so-called Barrytown Trilogy: 1990’s The Snapper, and 1991’s The Van. In this new book The Guts, we see 47 year old Jimmy Rabbitte, married with four kids, and diagnosed with bowel cancer. The years have sort of caught up with Jimmy, and we see him in more familiar times to today, the Ireland around the time of the economic crisis, with all its attendant challenges financial and otherwise. The love of music, the breeze of nostalgia, and the banter, both funny and sad, always wise and honest, is all there. I’ll get Mr. Doyle to tell us about this book, as well as the time of life he depicts therein. Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin, and has written nine novels, two short story collections, and a memoir about his parents. He won the Booker Prize in 1993 for Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha. The Guts is published by Knopf Canada. The website for more is at www.roddydoyle.ie. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Roddy Doyle; Mr. Doyle, good morning.

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