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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Days of Paula Spencer, Feb 26 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. (Carmel, on the other hand, hated their father and subscribes to the view that all men are b@$t@rds). 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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4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fresh Look at Abuse, May 31 2002
The only reason that I read this book is because of J.K. Rowling. I read an article in Oprah magazine about J.K. Rowling and she stated that this was one of her all time favorite books. In fact, she said that Roddy Doyle was her favorite author. Had to read it. And it is good.The Woman Who Walked Into Doors is the story of an abused dejected woman named Paula Spencer. Known as the most accident-prone patient at the emergency room, Paula recounts her life story from childhood to adulthood. Paula was taken aback by Charlo. She said : I swooned the first time I saw Charlo. I actually did. I didn't faint or fall on the floor but my legs went rubbery on me and I giggled. I suddenly knew that I had lungs because they were empty and collapsing. Her first dance with Charlo made her his. He had her all wrapped up and then some. Throughout her marriage to Charlo, she lost herself and kept to herself. Each time she visited the hospital she told them she had fallen. No questions were asked. No further questions. It is a heart wrenching story told in a woman's voice by the author -a man. What a superb job he does of delivering all emotions and thoughts that a despondent woman would have. The journey of her life with Charlo, how she bounced back, how she coped, and how she now deals is vividly displayed. You won't want to put the book down. It was a great and easy read. Roddy Doyle won the Booker Prize for Paddy Clarke ha ha ha. I
plan on reading that next. Check it out!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
So good it hurts, Mar 25 2002
This is a book that reminds me of a joke,"We don't get Channel 4 round our way, we get our misery direct." Only our direct misery cannot have the wit and humour that this book has. Paula is full of strength, courage and wit in spite of everything. She is an every woman for the times that we live in. Charlo, although he could be any of a million men, is her downfall, her drug, and the man who drags her down and keeps her in her circle of despair. But like all drugs he is hard to give up, not until he dies, which comes in the first chapters so I'm not giving anything away there, is she free, but it's all too late. She is married to Charlo for nearly two decades; it is a time of alcohol, violence and crime. Despair seeps from ever page mixed up with nostalgia and thick black humour to ease the pain of the reader. The characters are so alive that this book hurts to read at times, Doyle's characterisations are near perfect.
Paula is a flawed character reflecting the life that she has led. Roddy Doyle makes it obvious from the start that there was never any escaping for Paula, from birth, from school, from adolescence she was always on the same path. You can leave the oppressive slum, but the oppressive, esteem robbing slum will never leave you. Paula is told what she is from birth and has no option but to believe it.
An excellently written book that pulls no punches and doesn't try to spare Paula her fate, but it's so sad that I prefer to pretend that it isn't happening, see, there's a lot of Paula in us all.
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