Ita Doyle: 'In all my life I have lived in two houses, had two jobs, and one husband. I'm a very interesting person'

Rory & Ita, Roddy Doyle's first non-fiction book, tells - largely in their own words - the story of his parents' lives. They remember every detail of their Dublin childhoods - the people, the politics, idyllic times in the Wexford countryside for Ita, Rory's apprenticeship as a printer. By the time they put down a deposit of two hundred pounds for a house in Kilbarrack, Rory was working as a compositor at the Irish Independent. By the time the first of their four children was born he'd become a teacher, at the School of Printing in Dublin. Kilbarrack began to change, and Ireland too. Through their eyes we see the intensely Catholic society of their youth being transformed into the vibrant, modern Ireland of today.

Both are marvellous talkers, so combined with Roddy Doyle's legendary skill in illuminating ordinary experience, Rory & Ita makes for a book of tremendous warmth and humanity.

'A moving and delightful book' Independent

About the Author
Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958. He is the author of twelve acclaimed novels including The Commitments, The Snapper, The Van and Smile, two collections of short stories, and Rory & Ita, a memoir about his parents. He won the Booker Prize in 1993 for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

Reviews
A vivid, affecting piece of oral history that requires no blood links to its protagonists to enjoy * Time Out *
Alive with acuity and spare, punchy prose - Always readable, engaging and revealing. A brave and tender piece of work -- Joseph O'Connor * Irish Times *
I relished every word of Rory & Ita * Spectator *
An intimate record of the everyday * Scotsman *
A moving and delightful book * Independent *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099449225
Author Roddy Doyle
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Vintage
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 245g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 22mm