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'Travel books these days are two a penny, but McCarthy's really is a
volume to savour. The people of whom he writes will surely appreciate
his sharp eye and gentle humour, and the natural beauty which he finds
so awe-inspiring cannot but fail to impress even the most world-weary
traveller.' |
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'Highly entertaining ... hilarious. A five star book' Rí-Rá |
| 'After reading this hilarious, informed and intelligent book,
I am tempted to buy books by every other McCarthy around. This is a serious
writer struggling to make himself heard above the many excellent jokes and
this is what makes McCarthy's book so distinctive. Although he can crack
Brysonesque quips with the best of them and take us through hilarious and
largely drunken set pieces, McCarthy is equally at home discussing Celtic
standing stones and the potato famine. The resulting book is a wonderful
debut. By the end, we, too, would like to move to Ireland. You sense that
McCarthy has such a genuine feeling for Ireland, Irishness and Irish history
that he can only temper his writing with side-splitting humour. In this
way, his first book successfully embodies much of what it is to be Irish.' Amazon.co.uk |
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'McCarthy chronicles his drunken voyage with humour and insight, the
people he meets are portrayed with sensitivity and wit. He has an ear
for dialogue, but also a love of Ireland and Irish history. This comes
across as a lot more than a gimmicky travel book, but as genuinely well
written and very funny, managing to balance humour and observation in
tight and witty prose' |
| 'Meant to be funny, this succeeds nicely. His rule - never
pass a bar that has your name on it - makes a simple and pleasing frame.
Authors should never record their own books, except autobiography, which
this is, and McCarthy gets away with it.' Guardian |
| 'Pete would provide you with miles of smiles on the road
to wherever you happen to be going ... The hugely entertaining, and very
funny, McCarthy's Bar is not a traditional travel book, it's one man's story
of an expedition of discovery in search for his roots and an explanation
for his gut desire to feel Irish. McCarthy's my kind of tourist, he avoids
the obvious and delights in meeting the locals and soaking up their stories
(some of them possibly even true) like a beer mat. If you've seen Pete's
TV shows you'll know that his idea of travelling includes blisters and all,
and McCarthy's Bar is filled to bursting with fascinating folk and their
folklore. It may be a spit-and-sawdust view of Ireland, but I'll drink to
that.' Peterborough Evening Telegraph |
| 'Warrington-born McCarthy's prose is not classic, but his
travelogue is warm and inquisitive. McCarthy's discretion in refusing to
name the best quality, best value hotel/eating house in the whole of Ireland
won my heart. If your feelings about things Irish transcend Paddy McGinty's
theme bars and Riverdance, this book is a must.' Manchester Evening News |