Reading Roddy Doyle

In this anaysis of Roddy Doyle's first five novels, Caramine White argues that while Doyle is undoubtedly one of the most popular contemporary novelists, he also needs to be seen as a serious and gifted writer. She offers an overview of Doyle's work followed by a chapter devoted to the critical analysis of each of the five novels in which she scrutinizes Doyle's innovative use of language; his manipulation of his audience's reaction via comedy and humour; the role, however slight, of religion and politics; and his overall social vision as projected in each book and as part of a complete body of work.