Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to read, but hard to put down..., 13 Sep 2005
I found this book to be a completely convincing account of an abused wife and mother, as well as a subtly moving and well crafted read. However, the central characters' lack of individuality, dependence on her husband Charlo and unwillingness to leave the man whose beatings she endures for years...might not endear some of you to her. Certainly those of you who prefer independent and feisty characters and who shout at the pages when they don't assert themselves will very likely find this book difficult, as I did to some extent. But it's not just the content here that makes for often frustrating reading, but also the style- any other author dealing with the same topic would surely sensationalise the story of a character like Paula, but this story has more of a true-to-life feel in that the main character isn't made particularly sympathetic by Doyle- events are recounted as they happen with little emotion or judgement attached. And since only the events of Paula's past relevant to her current predicament (i.e. meeting, marrying and having children with her husband) are explored in the story...the reader doesn't get to see Paula as anything other than a daughter, wife and mother- the roles she plays with no concept of herself outside those signifiers. So putting it bluntly- following a character who acts solely as a cipher to those around her doesn't make for thrilling reading, especially as she does very little to become anything more, or even has any great desire to leave her husband. But in spite of her temperament, or perhaps because of it, I definitely sympathised with her and found it easier as a result to believe how she could stay with her abusive husband, as she really doesn't see any viable alternatives. Although adding to the reader's discomfort- the acerbic and emotionless tone of the narration works well in complimenting the torture Paula endures at the hands of her spouse. But it isn't just the grim tone, or even the descriptions of physical violence here that makes for depressing reading- it's Paula herself. The ease with which she grows accustomed to such barbaric treatment over time and how she becomes this person who cares so little for herself has a stark quality that's genuinely unnerving.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Days of Paula Spencer, 26 Feb 2007
Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958 and saw his first novel, "The Commitments" published in 1987. It was later adapted for the big screen, a version that saw Star Trek's Colm Meaney and a very young Andrea Corr among the cast. Doyle went on to win the Booker Prize in 1993 with "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha". This is his sixth novel and was first published in 1996.
"The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" is set in Dublin and is told by Paula Spencer, a woman in her late thirties. Both Paula's parents are dead, while only two of her siblings `appear' in the book - her sisters, Carmel and Denise. She did have another sister, Wendy, who died in a motorbike accident, while her brothers - Roger, Edward and George - are only ever mentioned in passing. Paula's relationship with her father had once been good, though it seemed to have deteriorated as time went on. [...]. Paula, meanwhile, hasn't Roger in years, and isn't particularly bothered about it - theirs was another difficult relationship.
However, it's Paula's relationship with her husband, Charlo, that's central to the book. They have been separated for over a year as the book opens - though they are still technically, married. They couple had four children together, three of whom still live with Paula. (She hasn't seen her eldest son, John-Paul, in quite some time: she last heard of him squatting in some flats and suspects he's on heroin). She works as a cleaner, just about earns enough to make ends meet and is an alcoholic. As if all that isn't enough, the book opens with the arrival of a policeman at her front door to inform her of Charlo's death. Paula spends the book looking back over her life in general and her time with Charlo in particular.
While it isn't always a very cheerful book, Paula's story isn't one that will leave you feeling depressed. She proves to be a character you want the best for and, not only does she manage to raise a smile from time to time, she also manages to leave you with a bit of hope. Absolutely recommended.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doyle's Paula persona is so believable, you forget he's a he, 9 Oct 1998
By A Customer
Rarely is an author capable of writing the voice of the opposite sex in a realistic, un-gender-biased manner. Doyle's Paula is heartbreakingly real, both as a character and as a woman. Abuse is a painful topic to read about, and the diary-like frankness with which we learn about Paula's life is brutal yet without self-pity. She tells the story beginning to end, with the love and fear, hate and happiness as it happens. The regrets are obviously there, but the underlying power of this woman who survives, after everything, just survives...wow. I'm a huge Doyle fan in general. While this is a departure from the hilarity of the Barrytown Trilogy, and is a heavier undertaking than Paddy Clark (which is another incredible book) it it a fantastic book and a highly recommended read.
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