Reviews

Strumpet City by James Plunkett

patmcmanamon's review

5.0

Brilliant tale of Dublin in the early 20th Centiry

Well written, blunt assessment of one of Europe’s poorest cities in the 1910s. Includes the struggle for dignity, the role of the Church and the power of the moneyed class. Weaves a tale in and through many interesting and quirky characters. Highly recommend.

duley's review

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

kingarooski's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A sad and well-written story about the poverty in Dublin at the beginning of the 20th Century. The story covers several points of view including clergy, the comfortably well-off and the working class. The story takes place over 14 years and covers the period of the lock-out when the employers locked out the workers if they refused to not to be in a union. A powerful book that I won't soon forget.

andyru's review

emotional fast-paced

5.0

technomage's review against another edition

3.0

A good meaty read

gatitamonster's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

debsd's review

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hannicogood's review against another edition

5.0

A masterful book. Sweeping novel that follows different characters from all walks of life throughout the struggles of the working class in the pre-WWI years. Rashers Tierney and Father O’Connor are some of the most well-written characters I’ve come across.

jpbooks13's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A great novel of early Ireland and the basis for the Irish revolution 

bgg616's review against another edition

4.0

This book details the poverty of inner city Dublin at the turn of the 20th century. It was recently the One City One Book read in Dublin, resurrecting a book that was published in 1969. It is reminiscent of the book [b:A Fine Balance|5211|A Fine Balance|Rohinton Mistry|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347383969s/5211.jpg|865827] about India, though A Fine Balance manages to be more heart-wrenching and even more hopeless. Despite being the story of the Great Lockout of 1913, it lacked some depth regarding the lockout.