A completely brilliant book!!! Why this is not better known I do not know. AND its a first book from Michael Curtin, Limerick man to trade. I first got this book from a rig library, swapped it for another, and having read it put it away on the shelves somewhere. Packing... to move house I found it again and have just finished re-reading it. I cannot tell you how good a book it is. Exceptionally well written, comic, and a book on many different levels which engages you without being heavy duty. basically the story of a guy's life who comes to London on the lump after goading from school mates and the untimely death of his father. Kilburn High Road in the 70's - which I remember well. His return to Limerick sees him setting up as a hawker - but not before becoming the ESP - Eminently Suitable Person - for FART International (send no money). The basis of the book is all about self confidence. I don't want to give away too much but you have to get hold of a copy of this and read and enjoy. I have this worrying suspicion that it might be out of print (god knows why). I shall search for more of M Curtin's books as he was and is a bit of an unknown writer but the quality of this, his first book, is right up there with the greats.