suggestions?

I've recently been reading Edna O'Brien, I've read many a Brian Moore, Oscar Wilde, Roddy Doyle and I'm trying to track down Flann O'Brien (it isn't easy). What other authors should I be looking for? I want a sense of humor but not necessarily a comedy.

Amazon sell Flan O'Brien.

Try The Unfortunate Fursey by Mervyn Wall. I havent read others by him but enjoyed this one

Thanks for your suggestions!

Try The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien for a bit of a laugh !

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=t...

John

>1 mstrust:

You ask about Irish humor books. I often reflected that, for a people with such great humor, how come there aren't many humor novelists.

>1 mstrust: Follow-up.

On the non-fiction side Pete McCarthy's books about travel around Ireland are absolutely hilarious (e.g. "McCarthy's Bar")

Thanks for the suggestions. Since my OP I've read The Third Policeman, more Edna O' Brien and Eoin Colfer. I've been building a nice collection of Irish authors.

8
The Third Policeman I think is the funniest book I ever read. At least right now I cant think of another that is as funny. It's been a long time since I read Edna O' Brien. Her novels are serious, of course, but, by any standards she is a highly talented writer. Must read or re-read one of her's soon.

Dancing in Limbo and Shambles Corner both by (Edward Toman would be my reccomendation. Not sure if they are still in print but second hand copies are available on-line

#1 Colin Bateman's books are very humorous. Divorcing Jack is his first and is a good introduction. Mohamed Maguire and Chapter and Verse are also well worth a read.

Divorcing Jack does look good, and so does I Predict a Riot. I'll need to find some of these, as Bateman has a long list and I'd never heard of him. Thanks!

Bateman is doing a launch this Saturday in Belfast at a festival in the Custom's House Square. It's the fourth book based on an accidental private detective who has offices beside the No Alibi Bookstore in Belfast. Seems to be a very funny series.

Is Ross O'Carroll-Kelly any good? I've seen many of his books and laughed at the titles but haven't got any. I agree with the others that Colin Bateman is also quite funny. Molly Keane's later novels are too. I also like Jennifer Johnston and Nuala O'Faolain, although they are less humorous.

There's a Ross O'Carroll-Kelly play running in the Olympia. Between Foxrock and a Hard Place I believe this is the final week. Reports are that it is very funny. I intend getting to it before it ends.

Puckoon by Spike Milligan is a great Irish humour novel. The rest of his stuff isn't really worth trying though

>14 banriona: The Irish Times run a column every Saturday with another instalment in the life of Ross O'Carroll-Kelly , the link below is to todays edition. Enjoy !

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/1113/1224283204388.html

His series of spoofs of some classics like "Treasure Island" are hilarious even if you haven't read the original, more funny if you have.

The mystery books by Ruth Dudley Edwards are very funny and very politically incorrect. They have all been re-published recently so all are available. I have eleven books written by her and I think that I have the whole collection.

edited to correct a typo

#19
I have a copy of Anglo Irish Murder. Following your comment I will dig it out and have a read. Interestingly I picked it up at the World Science Fiction Convention which was held in Glasgow in 2005.

(Touchstone doesn't seem to be picking it up.)

The Anglo-Irish Murders is my favourite. Enjoy ...

I came across the Northern Irish writer, Colin Bateman quite by chance when looking for something humorous in an audiobook for the car. Now hooked on him and onto my third novel.
All based in Belfast, the central character is Dan Starkey - failed journalist come private detective who gets into no end of strife with gangs, crims, the IRA and many others, including religious nutters and anti-abortionists, while attempting to make the bigtime and stay alive, while finding love in strange places.. Very funny but definitely with a serious side - so much so it can be a bit depressing at times.
But this is offset by the writer's brilliance at bringing Belfast alive to the reader.

>22 noellib: I read his first book, Divorcing Jack, when it came out and have read a couple of his novels since. Very funny with a core of truth.

If you have not already seen it you should look for the film of Divorcing Jack. I got as much fun spotting the Belfast filming locations as I did from the story. I recognised one location as being a friend's flat.