Although his writing is dark and often disturbing, Maryliz Q. provided a humorous, informative, and creative presentation on Dublin-born writer Roddy Doyle on Tuesday, November 5.  

Maryliz began her presentation in an epistolatory fashion: “Dear Roddy…” and asked the writer numerous questions including why he uses such graphically explicit sex in his stories, and why he resorts to Irish stereotypes. 

Maryliz discussed and provided powerful reading selections from six books: Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, A Star Called Henry, Charlie Savage, The Woman Who Walks into Doors, The Women Behind the Door, and Smile. 

Doyle is a prolific writer having published eleven novels, eight children’s books, seven screenplays, and numerous short stories. His novels are mainly conversational in structure, and they often portray the Irish working class in a rather negative light. In 1993, Doyle won the prestigious Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

Doyle, also known as the “Mark Twain” of Ireland, charmed Maryliz and other CWLC members at a recent Wordfest event in Calgary. While charmed, Doyle’s relentless use of profanity was in question.

At the end of her presentation, Maryliz concluded that Doyle is not her kind of writer and his writing “exhausted” her. She concluded her letter to Roddy by wishing him continued success and signed off with a warm-hearted goodbye. 

The Q&A period was, once again, lively and turned to the discussion of profanity. Our CWLC resident Irishwoman reassured members that profanity is very much part of the vocabulary of Northern Dublin, and Doyle’s portrayals are not far from the truth.

Posted by Mooréa G.