Divorcing Jack

This book was passed to me through bookcrossing.com. I had never heard of the author, but I enjoy Irish writers so I gave it a go. I was more than just pleasantly surprised. This novel is great! The sarcastic, self-depricating humor embodied by the protagonist just cracked me up. The story itself was pretty intense, but it didn't feel overwhelming primarily because of the wisecracks. I highly recommend this book, and this author, to anyone who wants a good story and a good laugh.

Most of us have had a night or two where, mired in alcohol, bad decisions have been made. I don't for a second think that a complete lack of alcohol would make our protagonist, Dan Starkey, a contender for canonization. But, it would keep me from wanting to box this characters ears as I burst out laughing at his latest installment of a good idea. This perennially soused journalist has a talent for saying the witty thing at the wrong time. The whirlwind of death, danger, politics and sex that picks him up and plunks him down, well the worse for wear, begins with a kiss wrapped around a shared breath mint. A mint shared with a woman he barely knows as his wife whispers in his ears, "You have twenty-four hours to move out."This paves the way for bad decision number two and the beginning of a domino effect in Starkeys life. Within the prescribed twenty-four hours, the other woman will be dead and Starkey will be the number one suspect. The one clue that could lead Starkey to the real killer slips through his fingers like a greased eel. This very funny, very intelligent book could have been a mere candy bar between literary meals. It is, instead, a full meal itself. An insider's view into the raging political scene of Northern Ireland in the mid 90s and the warped marriage of a co-dependent couple are tightly conveyed. The sarcasm and fallibility of a hero doing all the wrong things for all the drunk reasons plays beautifully against the fast paced nature of this thriller.

bateman wonderfully depicted the violent aspects of northern irish culture in divorcing jack. beautifully dark humour is strewn throughout the pages. although content is of a sensitive and horrid nature (the "troubles"), one can not help but laugh out loud frequently. a great first novel for him, and his books to follow are equally as interesting and enjoyable.

Since I saw them filming the movie I thought that I should check out Bateman's book. It is dead funny, but can also be viewed as offensive and doesn't do Belfasters too much justice. Dont read it during lunch, or if you dont see any point in copious useage of 4 letter words beginning with "F". Otherwise an excellent backmail / satire book.

Mr. Bateman has given us in his first novel insight into the human side of the 'Troubles' of Northern Ireland. While the cynical narrative of protagonist Dan Starkey is very entertaining, Mr. Bateman manages to convey both the tragedy and the comedy of living amongst the absurdity of sectarian violence. It should be read by Republican and Unionist alike