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teokajlibroj's review against another edition
5.0
Irish literature (especially in the Irish language) has a reputation for misery as most stories focus on poverty and death. As this book is set in a graveyard, I was afraid that this would be more of the same. It has received high praise from critics, but this made me fear that it would be full of fancy literary words that you can't understand. As the whole book is comprised of dialogue, I wasn't sure if I would understand what was going on.
To my delight, it was a hilarious and easy to read book. It's essentially about people bitching and moaning about each other, sharing stories, gossip and grudges. It's highly entertaining and if you're from rural Ireland, you will definitely recognise the way people act. The lack of indication of who was talking was no problem, as people mostly repeated themselves and you don't need to know who is talking half the time. The language used is very accurate and relatable, the translation really captured how people speak. There is a lot of foul language and curses which is a good living representation of Irish and counters the idea of it being too stale and flat.
To my delight, it was a hilarious and easy to read book. It's essentially about people bitching and moaning about each other, sharing stories, gossip and grudges. It's highly entertaining and if you're from rural Ireland, you will definitely recognise the way people act. The lack of indication of who was talking was no problem, as people mostly repeated themselves and you don't need to know who is talking half the time. The language used is very accurate and relatable, the translation really captured how people speak. There is a lot of foul language and curses which is a good living representation of Irish and counters the idea of it being too stale and flat.
oreo143z's review against another edition
2.0
Thank God I finished it . I really wanted to like this novel but for the most part it was extremely boring. I really got tired of dead people still complaining about the the things they complained about when they were alive . Not a nice outlook about the afterlife and I don't believe there was a point to novel at all ...
carolinefran's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aar505n's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A little difficult to read at times but once you get into the flow absolutely brilliant. So funny at times and really enlightening - a triumphant anthropological piece of literature that deserves its place among the classics
arinnroberson's review
4.0
Hard to follow at first but you get into the swing of things dark and light, humorous and insightful. It’s an interesting contrast of the relationships of people and their interactions and the stories we tell others versus the reality. Interesting questions about the mask we wear for others and the things we are concerned with in death.
telemachus_ii_260's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ferdiaocairbre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
The Dirty Dust is a book set in the West of Ireland in the 1940s. World War II is going on but more important for the characters are the goings on in their small town. Through the book the individuals discuss what is happening and gossip about their friends, neighbours and enemies. The twist is that all this takes place in the graveyard as the protagonists are all dead!
The concept of the Dirty Dust is unusual and works well. The author is able to give each of the characters their own individual voice which works well. All in all an enjoyable book.
The concept of the Dirty Dust is unusual and works well. The author is able to give each of the characters their own individual voice which works well. All in all an enjoyable book.
rubbersoul413's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0