... Then again, when you're telling it and it hurts so much, you can't really concentrate on keeping it all in the right order either.
So Paula tells us about the Guard coming, and his coming in for tea and telling her about his family. Then she starts to talk about Charlo…her and Charlo.
That's ... Read review
My name is Paula Spencer. I am thirty-nine years old. It was my birthday last week. I was ... more
married for eighteen years. My husband died last year. He was shot by the Guards. He left me a year before that. I threw him out. His name was Charles Spencer; everyone called him Charlo.' "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" is one of Roddy Doyle's finest achievement to date the heart-rending story of a woman struggling to reclaim her dignity after a violent abusive marriage and a worsening drink problem. Paula Spencer recalls her contented childhood the audacity she learned as a teenager the exhilaration of her romance with Charlo and the marriage to him that left her powerless. Capturing both her vulnerability and her strength Doyle gives Paula a voice that is real and unforgettable. Lean sexy funny and poignant "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" shows yet again that Roddy Doyle has an unparalleled gift for transforming ordinary life into great literature.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
My name is Paula Spencer. I am thirty-nine years old. It was my birthday last week. I was ... more
married for eighteen years. My husband died last year. He was shot by the Guards. http://www.alltopbooks.com/the-woman-who-w alked-into-doors.html http://www.alltopbooks.com/f iles/t_5276.jpg 5276 2010-01-11 6.99 GBP Visa,Mast erCard, Check, American Express 9780749395995 1000 Roddy Doyle SKU5276 New books Does Anything Eat Wasps? : And 101 Other Questions How long can I live on beer alone? Why do people have eyebrows? Has nature invented any wheels? Plus 99 other questions are answered in this book. http://www.alltopbooks.com/does-anything-eat -wasps-and-101-other-questions.html http://www.all topbooks.com/files/t_5277.jpg 5277 2010-01-11 6.99 GBP Visa,MasterCard, Check, American Express 9781861979735 1000 New Scientist SKU5277 New books My Life President Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe IV on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, three months after his father died in a traffic accident. When he was four years old, his mother wed Roger Clinton, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. In high school, he took the family name. http://www.alltopbooks.com/my-life-clinton.h tml http://www.alltopbooks.com/files/t_5278.jpg 52 78 2010-01-11 21.50 GBP Visa,MasterCard, Check, American Express 9780091795276 1000 Bill Clinton SKU5278 New books The Silver Spoon The Silver Spoon is the most influential and successful cookbook in Italy. Originally published in 1950, it became an instant classic, selling over one million copies in eight editions. Considered to be essential in every household, it is still one of the most popular wedding presents today. http://www.alltopbooks.com/the-silver-spoon .html http://www.alltopbooks.com/files/t_5279.jpg 5279 2010-01-11 20.95 GBP Visa,MasterCard, Check, American Express 9780714844671 1000 Various SKU5279 New boo ks Grim Grotto Unless you are a slug, a sea anemone, or mildew, you prabably prefer not to be damp. You might also prefer not to read this book, in which the Baudelaire siblings encounter an unpleasant amount of dampness as they descent into the depths of despair, underwater. http://www.alltopbooks.com/grim-grotto .html http://www.alltopbooks.com/files/t_5280.jpg 5280 2010-01-11 5.99 GBP Visa,MasterCard, Check, American Express 9781405215275 1000 Lemony Snicket SKU5280 New books Wagamama : Ways With Noodles "The Wagamama Cookbook" told the story of the company and was driven by the menu and the specials attached to it. "Ways with Noodles" takes its inspiration from wagamamas core expertise; noodles: how to cook, serve and eat them. Noodles are the fast food of today, the pasta of the 21st century.
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:in stock
Presents the history of Huntington's in America. Starting with the life of Phebe Hedges, ... more
this title uses Huntington's as a lens to explore the changing meanings of heredity, disability, stigma, and medical knowledge among ordinary people as well as scientists and physicians.
The story of a woman struggling to reclaim her dignity after a violent, abusive marriage ... more
and a worsening drink problem. Paula Spencer recalls her contented childhood, the audacity she learned as a teenager, the exhilaration of her romance with Charlo, and the marriage to him that left her powerless.
Presents the medical and social history of a devastating hereditary neurological disorder ... more
once demonized as 'the witchcraft disease'. This work covers the history of Huntington's in America. It uses Huntington's as a lens to explore the meanings of heredity, disability and medical knowledge among people as well as scientists and physicians.
Advantages: Brilliantly told Disadvantages: The truth of it
When the Guard came to the door to tell her, Mrs Spencer noticed that he was "only a young fella, skinny and with raw spots all over his neck….He couldn't have been more than twenty. He looked miserable."
Mrs Spencer knew before the Guard spoke, what it was he came to tell. Oddly, we know as well…although he doesn't tell it. At least, Mrs Spencer - Paula - our story-teller - she doesn't tell it…not yet, not outright. Probably ... ...the end, and you don't really do the end at the beginning. Then again, when you're telling it and it hurts so much, you can't really concentrate on keeping it all in the right order either.
So Paula tells us about the Guard coming, and his coming in for tea and telling her about his family. Then she starts to talk about Charlo…her and Charlo.
That's the style of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors: Paula telling us how it ... more
When the Guard came to the door to tell her, Mrs Spencer noticed that he was "only a young fella, skinny and with raw spots all over his neck….He couldn't have been more than twenty. He looked miserable."
Mrs Spencer knew before the Guard spoke, what it was he came to tell. Oddly, we know as well…although he doesn't tell it. At least, Mrs Spencer - Paula - our story-teller - she doesn't tell it…not yet, not outright. Probably because a tale should be told from the beginning to the end, and you don't really do the end at the beginning. Then again, when you're telling it and it hurts so much, you can't really concentrate on keeping it all in the right order either.
So Paula tells us about the Guard coming, and his coming in for tea and telling her about his family. Then she starts to talk about Charlo…her and Charlo.
That's the style of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors: Paula telling us how it was.
It's not so much "first person" as "me and us". I did this, we knew, he was, she said. Half-formed sentences stand alone. Complete. It makes sense, because the way we talk to each other makes sense, and once you settle into the Irish rhythm of the way of speaking, you can actually hear Paula. Sometimes reading a book is like watching a film, you witness the action but from a layer apart. Other books take you right into the thick of it; you ride along with one or other of the characters. Paula Spencer doesn't let you do either. She sits you right down and makes you listen to her. All her brutal adult life she wanted someone to ask, so that - maybe - she could tell. Well, now she has you, she is going to tell all of it. As it was. The good and the bad. Mostly it was bad.
Not all. But mostly. She tells of her memories of childhood, memories that she cannot quite trust because one of her sisters will contradict her, and another will try not to take sides. Some things she knows she remembers differently from the way they must have been. And don't we all?
She talks of growing up, when life was poor - but happy. At least, she remembers it as happy. Carmel says differently.
She tells us of seeing Charlo for the first time, and what an angry young man would have called 'a kind of loving'. They were young and in love and the down & dirty of it didn't just 'not matter', rather it was all part of it, part of life's great adventure.
Then, before the memories of a joyful rampant honeymoon in rain-soaked Courtown have faded, with Paula pregnant and hormonal and Charlo wondering what's he got himself into: he hit her.
What happens after that is a saga of brutality and justification and excuses. A stream of those who stood by and watched and never asked…but who knew, and did nothing. A torrent of hope and misplaced guilt. Misplaced forgiveness. A token chocolate bar in the fridge making it all alright again.
This is not a tale of unexpected twists and turns. It is an all too familiar tale of sad inevitability, but it is told with a sharp brilliance that keeps you turning the page, needing to listen to the end.
The characters speak and live, with virtually no description of them offered. All is told in a mixture of monologue directed at the reader, and recalled dialogue. But it doesn't occur to you to wonder what they look like; in so far as it matters, you know.
~
There is a recurrent debate in the media as to whether an author can authentically capture the voice of the opposite gender. Roddy Doyle proves unmistakeably that they can. Had "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" been published under a female pseudonym as part of the ongoing spate of my-horror-life revelatory biographies, it would have sunk without trace - the tale is too ordinary, too recurrent to merit special attention - but it would not have raised doubts about its authenticity.
As a novel that ordinariness is its strength. It tells an ordinary tale, vividly enough to make us think about it. You cannot help but feel for Paula and her family - to be exasperated by them, but also grudgingly to admire them. The story is told with such painful honesty and such insight not only into womanhood, but into childish girlhood, that for it to have been written by a man is remarkable indeed.
~
Edition reviewed: Paragon softcover Large Print edition Published by Chivers Press ISBN 0-7451-3846-2 (no cover price given) pp 273
standard paperback cover price (Minerva edition) £6.99
Advantages: Briliant portrayal of the suffering of a working class woman Disadvantages: None
The woman who walked into doors is a masterpiece that is the only word to describe it.
The plot set in Dublin centres around a woman, Paula and her life from growing up to marriage and children. Paula has a happy childhood, but a miserable marriage. Here husband, Charlo beats her up, in disgusting ways, not just the odd slap, but real nasty violence, snapping fingers, pulling arms out of their sockets etc. This drives Paula into being an alcoholic, ... ...admit to the beatings, she loves her husband how can this possibly happen! In her own mind she is clumsy, “she walks into doors”. After every beating Charlo is kind and attentive, why does he hit her?
This book is written from the standpoint of Paula and portrays some of the worst sides of Irish working class culture, it is so well written, with flashbacks used to describe Paula’s childhood and the plot is well meshed together ...
KingHerrod 23.01.2001 (22.01.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle
Advantages: good storyline, thought-provoking Disadvantages: sad/disturbing in parts
...into doors' was described by the Times as, ' his best work yet'. It is set in Dublin, Ireland and is about a lady called Paula Spencer who is badly bullied by her drunken husband, Charlo. The couple fell in love as soon as they set eyes on eachother but unfortunately, as Paula discovers, Charlo is a violent alcoholic, who abuses both her and the children.
Even though he beats her until she cried, she still loves him and when he was shot in a gang ...
laurajones 07.04.2001 (08.04.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle
Advantages: Good read, Entertaining, Encouraging if you have been in a similar situation Disadvantages: Possibly a difficult read for some
...was written by a man! The novel follows a woman's struggle to come to terms with living in an abusive relationship and the impact that has had on her self esteem and future. It is sensitively written, and looks at the problem a person faces when something like this has happened to them. I have to say that anyone who hasn't read it is definetely missing out and should get around to reading it as soon as possible. Definetely worth reading. ...
saucymonkey 07.12.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle
Would you read it again?
Story
Characters
Readability
How does it compare to ...
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle"
Advantages: A pretty good read, not too heavy, take it on holiday with you Disadvantages: Dissapointing ending, sort of fizzles out to nothing
books, which would have been equally as good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORD OF WARNING:
The books discussed (loosely) at each meeting are listed below. In the text, discussion gives you not only the plot of the book, but often the ending as well. I was particularly disappointed to learn the plot and ending of The Girl with the Pearl Earring, I had been looking forward to reading this book, it has now been spoilt for me - so you have been warned. If you want to read any of these books, it may be better to read them, before you read The Reading Group.
Heartburn - Nora Ephron
I Capture The Castle - Dodie Smith
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The WomanWhoWalkedIntoDoors - RoddyDoyle
Guppies For Tea - Marika Cobbold
My Antonia - Willa Cather
The Memory Box - Margaret Forster
Eden Close - Anita Shreve
An Instance Of The Fingerpost ...
Advantages: Character driven novel; Introduced to 12 other novels Disadvantages: Clare?s character not fully developed; spoilers on the books that are discussed
RRP is £6.99. Amazon are selling it for this price although a second hand one can be picked up for less through the site. I have also seen it in Tesco for £3.73. Hardback price is £18.99.
The Reading Group
Elizabeth Noble
ISBN 0-340-73470-1
~ ~ ~ Stories discussed in The Reading Group ~ ~ ~
Heartburn ? Nora Ephron
I Capture The Castle ? Dodie Smith
Atonement ? Ian McEwan
The WomanWhoWalkedIntoDoors ? RoddyDoyle
Guppies For Tea ? Marika Cobbold
My Antonia ? Willa Cather
The Memory Box ? Margaret Forster
Eden Close ? Anita Shreve
An Instance Of The Fingerpost ? Iain Pears
Rebecca ? Daphne Du Maurier
The Alchemist ? Paulo Coelho
Girl With A Pearl Earring ? Tracy Chevalier ...
The story of a woman in her late thirties who is struggling to reclaim her dignity after marriage to an abusive husband, and a with a worsening drink problem. By the author of "The Barrytown Trilogy" and "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha". See all Product Description
Compare The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle to other similar Modern Fiction Books »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
The Doors, The Woman Doors, The Who Doors, The Walked Doors, The Into Doors, The Woman Who Doors, The Woman Walked Doors, The Woman Into Doors, The Who Walked Doors, The Who Into Doors, The Walked Into Doors, The Woman Who Walked Doors, The Woman Who Into Doors, The Woman Walked Into Doors, The Who Walked Into Doors
Are you the manufacturer / provider of The Woman Who Walked Into Doors - Roddy Doyle? Click here
