From the rowdy backstreets of Dublin, full of earthy homour and spirit, emerges a young boxing hopeful - Sparrow McCabe. Sparrow's dream is the World Lightweight Championship. But when he finally has it in his grasp he can't deliver the finishing punch. Sparrow's life falls apart, and fifteen years later he's a bum, a loser. Then something happens that convinces him that there are still things worth fighting for ...
The Scrapper
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'something of a classic tale in the modern mode' -- Books Ireland '... another fine piece of work by one of this country's finest entertainers ...the story is great ... you'll enjoy this read' -- Evening Echo
About the Author
Now author, actor/director/ script-writer, playwright, video star as well as stand-up comic, the Brendan O'Carroll story begins very modestly.
The youngest of eleven children, Brendan O'Carroll was born in Dublin's inner-city in 1955. His mother, Maureen was a Labour TD (MP) and a huge influence on his life. He left school at 12 and worked as a waiter, trying many other occupations in his spare time - disco manager, milkman, pirate radio disc-jockey, painter-decorator etc.
For a time he ran his own bar and cabaret lounge before being persuaded to try the comedy circuit. The gigs were small at first and even included his own version of Blind Date, but word soon got round about this original and outrageous funnyman and then there was standing-room only.
The real turning point in Brendan's career was his first appearance on The Late Late Show, Ireland's longest-running chat show, also shown weekly on Channel 4 in the UK. The studio audience and the viewers loved him. His first video Live at the Tivoli went straight to No 1, knocking U2 out of the top slot and pushing Garth Brooks to No 3. In 1994 he was voted Ireland's No 1 Variety Entertainer at the National Entertainment Awards.
He went on to make 4 top-selling videos, and a bestselling record, as well as touring in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
The radio show Mrs Browne's Boys, written by and starring Brendan, had a phenomenal daily audience on 2FM and led to the creation of Agnes Browne as the central character in Brendan's first novel, The Mammy, published in 1994. The book topped the bestseller charts in Ireland for months and the film rights were snapped up. The Mammy is now also available as a talking book.
The sequel to The Mammy, entitled The Chisellers, published in 1995, was also a long-running bestseller, and the final book in the trilogy, The Granny, (1996) went straight to No 1 in the Irish Bestseller list; the first print-run sold out immediately.
Meanwhile Brendan wrote a play, The Course, which had a five-month sell-out run in Dublin in 1995/96 and has toured in England (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool) and Scotland as well as in Canada.
Brendan can be seen on the big screen in the film of Roddy Doyle's The Van, in which he plays alongside Colm Meaney of Star Trek and The Snapper fame. His performance has been described by the critics as 'spot-on'. He also hosts a quiz show on RTE - Hot Milk and Pepper.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Rainey
Format:Paperback
Being an avid fan of Mr O'Carroll's work, I bought this book knowing that it wasn't part of the Agnes Brown world.
I wasn't disappointed either. Brendan's wit and humour are in abundance in this novel, despite it having a fairly serious plot line.
The story itself winds it way through the life of Sparrow McCabe, an Irish boxer who finds himself unable to lift the European crown and ends up working for a local gangster.
I found that I was reading the final couple of chapters with my map of Dublin to hand - having visited Dublin many times, I was interested to trace the route that Sparrow takes - I will walk that route next time I am there!
For anyone who hasn't read the Agnes Brown stories, read this and you will get a feel for Brendan O'Carroll's style, full of humour, wit, imagination and passion.
Throroughly recommended read.
I wasn't disappointed either. Brendan's wit and humour are in abundance in this novel, despite it having a fairly serious plot line.
The story itself winds it way through the life of Sparrow McCabe, an Irish boxer who finds himself unable to lift the European crown and ends up working for a local gangster.
I found that I was reading the final couple of chapters with my map of Dublin to hand - having visited Dublin many times, I was interested to trace the route that Sparrow takes - I will walk that route next time I am there!
For anyone who hasn't read the Agnes Brown stories, read this and you will get a feel for Brendan O'Carroll's style, full of humour, wit, imagination and passion.
Throroughly recommended read.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
for all of those children of irish parents this is the series of books for you, hearing tales from my parents of life in ireland has always held dear memories for me, I started to read these books and once started could not put down I have laughed till my stomach hurt and cried whilst still laughing to say these are a must have books is an understatement you will live your life with Agnes Brown share her ups and downs and all the rest of her life discoveries I could not put them down and went straight on to read the rest of the trilogy happy reading is an understatement
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Gd Baker
Format:Paperback
read all of brendan o,carrolls books, all brilliant, and this one is i think the best. i must find out if there are any that i have missed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Present for me
These books were a present for me. I have just started to read again and laugh so much Brendan such a good writer
Published 13 days ago by mrs deborah nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars
different
this was a very good read, by mrs browne author, well done Brendan, i have read the whole series of your books
Published 1 month ago by lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
The scrapper
Loved the way all the main characters came together.I had to read it r ight from start and didn't put it down till I'd finished it . Read more
Published 1 month ago by eileenmS
4.0 out of 5 stars
the scrapper
Well when i started to read was initially disapointed as so unlike the mammy trilogy but once into the story couldn't stop reading until i finished it . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mavee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Having enjoyed the Mrs Browns series of books I decided to try The Scrapper. I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
very good it is what it is a good book to read. it was a present for the mother in law
Published 2 months ago by kc
1.0 out of 5 stars
Beware
This is simply Sparrows Trap re-released with a new cover and a different name. It is great if you have not read Sparrows Trap but a waste of money if you have.
Published 2 months ago by Anthony Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
reading
As always a great read have read the whole series and cannot wait for more books by Brendan to be available
Published 2 months ago by iris elizabeth Alkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
The scrapper
Having read most of Brendan Carroll books I was completely and pleasantly surprised by the scrapper. As always he tells a great tale that keeps there with him to the last page. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Could not put it down .well written keeps you gripped till the end didn't want it to end ..hope to a sequel
Published 3 months ago by john
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