Contractors

by John Brendan Keane

This is the story of Dan Murray, who emigrated to England in 1952. He finds work as a building labourer and in time he becomes a building contractor.John B. Keane captures the turbulent, bawdy, anarchic life of Irish contractors and labourers as they try to make it big in England. Told in his usual hilarious and bulls-eye accurate style.

Genres: Irish Literature, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard this on 'A Book at Bedtime' when it came out, bought a copy and recently got it out again. Having met people who did exactly what the guys in this book had to do, come to a country where they were not universally welcomed, I can say it is a more poetic version of their various tales. A great read, but I am not really a novel man and this is my only finished Irish novel. I have tried others, and they are either too sentimental or too brutal: this one just hits the spot....

[David Hollywood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very satisfying novel about a time and people and circumstance I grew up in and was able to observe first hand, so I can testify the events described are all accurate reflections and examples of the types of things, activities, loyalties and rivalries that occurred. This is the only John B. Keane novel I have read, and I am encouraged to try other examples of his, albeit it didn't in itself hit the heights of his plays and stories, but maybe his others might.

[Frank Bouwmeester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything. Interesting characters, good plot, drama, love, death, suspense, horses. If I had to read one book for the rest of my life over and over it would be this one. 11/10

Dan Murray is my new hero.

[Ginebra Lavao Lizcano · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Scorsese-like Irish novel. Thanks Jim.

[Mhartain O'Treasaigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good part of the book, has been the build up of characters, around the irish imigrants having to go to England for work to support there families in Ireland, the loniliness they suffered from being absent from home, They worked very hard, and partied well, when the bigger companies got to big for there boots, the Irish showed them,they came out on top, but then tragedy starts, love, life, death, and finally some happiness. I enjoyed it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

although I found this book quiet boring in the beginning, I really got stuck in to by the end. it was the telling of a story I didnt know much about, Irish men going to England in the 50s for work. at little disappointed with the ending though.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an "OK" book, quite uneventful apart from the odd fist fight outside the dancehall! Saying that, there was a real atmosphere created by the author, and the characters were realistic.

[Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read, a beautiful writing style