The Granny

Agnes Browne #3

by Brendan O'Carroll

The New York Times Book Review praised Brendan O'Carroll 's first novel, The Mammy , as "Cheerful...as unpretentious and satisfying as a home-cooked meal...with a delicious dessert of an ending." With the forthcoming second book in the trilogy, The Chisellers , and a movie about The Mammy (entitled Agnes Browne ) on the horizon, the world is discovering O'Carroll's uniquely Irish blend of warmth and grittiness, comedy and pathos, as he elevates the lives of ordinary working-class Dublin people—and one extraordinary family—into tales that are small in size but epic in emotion. With the final installment, The Granny , our comedic and lovable heroine, Agnes Browne, has a French lover, six children in their twenties—including one in prison—and a wee grandchild of her own. But the world is spinning fast for Agnes—especially considering that her lover wants her to become "a sexual animal" and that her family's far-flung fortune is beyond her control. The members of the Browne family split up to make it in the world on their own until a tragedy brings the brood back together again—and love keeps them that way forever.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland, Humor, Irish Literature, Historical Fiction, Comedy, Book Club

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Brendan O'Carroll is an Irish BAFTA-winning writer, producer, comedian, author, actor and director. A popular comedian in Ireland since the early 1990s, O'Carroll is best known internationally for portraying the foul-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown in Mrs. Brown's Boys. O'Carroll has written seven novels, including The Mammy (1994), The Chisellers (1995), The Granny (1996), The Scrapper (originally published as "Sparrows Trap", 1997) and The Young Wan (2003); a number of these have been translated into 12 languages and have been best sellers worldwide. He has also written four films and nine comedy shows. These include The Course (1995), Grandad's Sure Lilly's Still Alive (1997), The Last Wedding (1999), Mourning Mrs. Brown (2000), Mrs. Brown Rides Again (2004), For the Love of Mrs. Brown (2007), How Now Mrs. Brown Cow? (2009), and Good Mourning Mrs. Brown (2011).

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The indomitable Agnes Browne of Dublin is back and continues to be a force of nature in this 1996 conclusion of O’Carroll’s trilogy. Her brood of six children are getting older, moving out, and starting families of their own. We open with the clan assembled at the hospital for the birth of her first grandchild, a happy occasion though the handle “Granny” takes her aback. She will do anything to support her family, but her help often doesn’t quite serve. When her son is worried about his wife’s labor taking so long, she offers this relief, only to be called out for exaggeration by another son:

’Don’t be worryin’ son. The first is the longest. On me first …I was ninety-six hours in labour.’
…Dermot smiled. ‘Don’t mind what she’s saying. I heard her tellin’ that story it was sixteen hours. Jaysus, by the time I’m having a child she’ll be sittin’ in the waiting room tellin’ everyone that she was so long in labour that Mark was born with a mustache.’

That’s the kind of laughs you can reap from this short novel. The humor and lively dialog is supplemented with a number of plotlines to pull your heartstrings. One son is gay, and it takes her a bit of time to understand and come to terms with that. One is an artist who is so shy and inarticulate it takes him years to reveal his love for a certain woman, despite all of Agnes’ attempts to encourage him. The one who breaks her heart is Dermot, whose irresponsible, happy-go-lucky spirit gets him in trouble with the law when one caper has a tragic outcome. On a visit to him in prison, her pressures to get him to acknowledge his paternity for his child by a drug addict leads to a total cutoff of contact with her. Somehow Agnes’ love and persistence pays off by the end.

At Agnes’ side through her ups and downs with her family are a colorful cast of characters in the neighborhood. As her nest gets emptier, she takes a French lover, Pierre. He knows enough to let her have her way on most things. He learns a lesson when on the advice of a men’s magazine he tries to unleash the “sexual animal” within Agnes with some bondage games.

This book, as well as the two others you may access out of order if you wish (“The Chisellers” and “The Mammy”), makes for a welcome breather for anyone who has been reading too many serious or difficult books. They prove that the Irish may typically be poor and downtrodden, but they have a tendency to excel in family loyalty, humor, and zest for life.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweet and poignant final chapter in the Agnes Browne trilogy. The kids are all grown, and starting families of their own, and poor Agnes has to get used to being called a name she can't stand . . . Granny. Petty squabbles may threaten to pull the group apart, but there's plenty of love and laughter to go around. A satisfying conclusion to a series I'd gladly read again.

[Indya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an emotional book, extremely different to the show, but I loved it - and the two before it - immensely. It actually made me laugh out loud at some points, before breaking my heart at the very end.

[Albus Eugene Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore · Rating 4 out of 5]

una furtiva lagrima …
Da bambino, d’inverno, ero afflitto dai geloni alle mani … “Ecchisenefrega – direte voi – potevi curarti!”. Eh sì, bravi. A quell’epoca gli americani garibaldini-marziani avevano da poco smesso di distribuire tavolette di libertà e … penicillina. No, no, lasciatemi dire. Allora, dicevo i geloni. Mia madre mi faceva immergere alternativamente le mani in due bacinelle, una con acqua caldissima ed una con acqua gelida. Era un tormento, ma serviva a riattivare la circolazione e, alla fine, dava una sensazione di sollievo e benessere che ti riconciliava con la vita. Ecco, questo per dire che, a parer mio, O’Carroll ha concepito la narrazione della gesta della famiglia Browne alternando con sapienza momenti di garbata ironia e di ilarità piena, a momenti di commozione pura, dove le lacrime sgorgano discrete ma senza vergogna.
Leggere della vita dei Browne ti dà la sensazione che si stia parlando non di personaggi di carta, ma di persone reali, che potresti (o meglio, che avresti potuto) addirittura incontrare per strada. Ti viene da pensare che se O’Carroll ha potuto concepire questi personaggi, allora è possibile che ne esistano veramente in giro per il mondo. E questo mi aiuta a guardare con un pizzico di maggiore ottimismo al futuro dei nostri figli. Beh insomma … ottimismo … no, non riesco proprio; diciamo … minor pessimismo.
I quadretti di Trevor, la valigia di cartone di Cormac, le libellule di Dermot, sono piccole perle. L’epilogo poi, con il surreale dialogo tra Agnes e la sua amica Marion è da antologia.
[anobii, Jul 2010]

[Pupottina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Alla bellissima Agnes Browne ... Benvenuta, nonna!"

Gran bel personaggio Agnes Browne per chi ha già avuto modo di conoscerla e per chi la incontra per la prima volta in uno dei romanzi di Brendan O'Carroll. Questo è il terzo romanzo della saga di Agnes Browne, proletaria, forte, bella e ormai vedova.
Adesso che è diventata nonna, quasi senza accorgersene, le sue avventure e le sue espressioni popolari non mancano di suscitare il sorriso. Non sarà intelligentissima, ma ha saputo farsi strada dignitosamente e crescere i suoi sette orfanelli. E si sa che quando ci sono di mezzo i figli Agnes è una mamma che non si tira mai indietro per la loro felicità e soprattutto per sistemarli. Adesso che Mark è padre sono tutti pronti per il battesimo al Foley, il pub al centro di Dublino, sede tradizionale di tutti i loro festeggiamenti da ventisette anni a questa parte.
I suoi pargoli sono finalmente quasi tutti sistemati. Soltanto uno le dà ancora qualche pensiero. Si tratta di Dermot che è fidanzato con Mary Carter, tossica e forse anche spacciatrice. Per fortuna che lo sarà ancora per poco, visto che Agnes ha deciso di porre fine alla loro storia.
Agnes è davvero una mamma perfetta per far sorridere anche i suoi lettori, grazie alla storia ironica e avvincente.

[MonicaEmme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarà anche diventata nonna, ma Agnes Browne è sempre giovane!
Anche questo ultimo libro è carinissimo! I figli di Agnes se ne vanno di casa (o perché si sposano o perché convivono) a parte Dermot che le creerà qualche problema. I figli sono lontani e ad Agnes pesa avere la casa vuota, ma non si abbatte mai, anzi! Segue le loro vicende da lontano con passione
Agnes si dimostra sempre all' altezza della situazione e, nelle sue scelte si dimostra sempre moderna!
A volte ho riso a crepapelle (pure da sola... robe da matti!), ma ci sono momenti in cui traspare un po' più di tristezza rispetto ai precedenti.
Non delude.
Mi mancherà.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The best of the trilogy. All three books were incredible but this last one made me laugh and cry like I never have with any other book I've read. Brendan O'Carroll is a wonderfully descriptive writer, taking you right into the family of the story. You feel their pain as well as their joys and celebrations. A fantastic author!

[piperitapitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

mi mancherete tu e la tua famiglia!
d'accordo, quelli della trilogia non saranno mai considerati dei capolavori letterari, ma hanno il pregio di parlare di cose semplici e di farlo con delicatezza e senza la pretesa di offrire alcuna soluzione se non quella del buonsenso e della leggerezza. perch�� in fondo cosa c'�� di pi�� bello di una giornata passata serenamente in famiglia?

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series. At times I felt like crying and most of the time I laughed. Highly recommend!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in a trilogy about the life of Agnes Browne. There is even a movie titled Agnes Browne staring Angelica Huston based on the first book by Brendan O'Carroll titled The Mammy. All three books are quick reads and could easily be finished in a sitting. Cute stories that take place in the late to early seventies in Dublin, Ireland. The characters are crass and have a tendency to favor the pubs. Each book contains several short snippets of moments in the life of Agnes Browne. There is no character development and the reader never really gets involved with the story. But that is not what the stories are about. They are cute, easy reads that make you laugh and smile. Feel good stories.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the trilogy very much. They aren't what I expected and I think that who reads them thinking they will be just the same as the new massively popular television series may be dissappointed. These books show Agnes Brown as much less outrageous than we see her in the show - we see a more realistic version of her as a single parent, friend and lover. They are still very funny but in a different way! They are also, at times, very sad and touching and the ending of this book shocked the life out of me.

I really enjoyed them - I thought that 'The Granny' was particularly well written! I just hope that others can go into them open minded enough to enjoy them too.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a finale to a great book series! The only thing I don't like is that we will not hear any more about Browne clan. I would have loved to have followed this family for a few more books. O'Carroll has a way of making you actually care about the characters.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Trilogy has been a suprise for me! I totally enjoyed all three books and this last one The Granny had some bittersweet suprises. Definately in the top of my faves!!!

[Arwen56 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mi è parso il migliore della trilogia, ma sempre piuttosto mediocre, sia a livello di trama, sia a livello di introspezione psicologica. Un romanzo di puro svago, diciamo.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely charming, engaging story of family and the strength of love, written as only an Irishman could.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of these are fun and entertaining

[Gabriella Zuccarello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Da Foley tutti i grandi avvenimenti devono essere festeggiati li, anche il battesimo del figlio di Mark. Peccato però che da quel momento in poi, le cose per la famiglia di Agnes Browne, prenderanno una piega non proprio felice e per Agnes non sarà più possibile ritrovarsi con la famiglia al completo.

Oddio… ho finito l’ultimo libro della serie…. E adesso?
Mi mancheranno da morire tutti i membri del clan Browne, nessuno escluso, e mi mancherà ancora di più Agnes, che da sola ha tirato su una famiglia di sette figli tra alti e bassi.

Anche questo libro è stato bellissimo, molto toccante nonostante le risate non siamo mancate.
Consiglio questo libro? Si, si e si!!! Non ve ne pentirete.

[Melanie Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the trilogy. Sad there won't be more books about the Browne family

[Chiara Lopresti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Margaret Pitcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all three. The books are extremely funny but, as in this final book, there are as many downs as ups. This is ‘real’ life and people getting on as best they can.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Storia di Agnes Browne credo sia una di quelle che occupa un posto speciale nel mio cuore.
Se vi piacciono le atmostefere irlandesi dei sobborghi, Agnes vi porterà nel suo mondo e non vorrete più lasciarla, seppur vivrete con lei momenti belli ed emozionanti, ma anche dolorosi e difficili.
Agnes Browne vorrei tanto darti un abbraccio fortissimo e farmi una gran risata chiassosa insieme a te.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am feeling quite emotional at reaching the end of this wonderful trilogy of books. I have laughed and I have cried in equal measure reading these books, and the last couple of chapters in The Granny almost turned me into an emotional wreck! Brendan O'Carroll has created characters that you just fall in love with, that each feel incredibly real, each with their own unique personalities. The characters in these books just came alive in my mind thanks to O'Carroll's fantastic dialogue and descriptions. I honestly can't recommend this trilogy enough and without wanting to sound repetitive, fans old and new of Mrs. Brown's Boys will love this book. At times very different to the programme, but at times those similarities are there.

Agnes Browne is about to become a granny for the very first time, and she's shocked when she finally realises that and suddenly she feels old. With all of her children celebrating the birth at the local pub, little does Agnes know that it'll be the last time she would see her entire family together. 'Fate and tragic coincidence were about to take a hand and scatter her brood to the four winds.' This time around I loved Dermot and Buster and the journey they go on over the course of the novel. I can't say much more than that but I especially loved their little discovery turned hideaway which was reminiscent of when the Secret Seven found a new meeting place in a cave. A couple of characters I particularly liked in previous books didn't really stand out in this one for me, but again Agnes was the star of the show (and I still found it weird seeing her all loved up).

Again it's hard to really talk in detail about the book, and harder still to find something to say about it that I haven't already said in my reviews for the previous two books. The best thing I could probably say then is read these books. They are funny, beautifully evocative thanks to O'Carroll's wonderful descriptions of a place and era that he knows so well and feature characters that will remain in your memory for a long time. A truly fantastic trilogy of books and some of the best that I have read, and that ending! All I can say is if that's how Mrs. Brown's Boys will one day end, a nation will be shattered but it was a beautiful and very fitting ending.

[Kitty Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final book in the Agnes Browne series, not including The Young Wan, is a delight, as ever. Though Brendan O'Carroll's writing can be admittedly simplistic, and relies heavily on coincidence, farce, and twists of fate that are often hard to take, he truly shines through when painting characters and their relationships. His Browne family is pitch perfect - from Dermot, the often prankish but never malicious son whose mischievous ways catch up to him, to Mark, the loving and responsible, but often overbearing oldest brother, and finally to Agnes Browne herself: a loving mother, a hardworker, good friend, and bewildered woman who finds herself standing in the past while her children grow up around her and seem to leave her behind.

This family is not perfect; they are beset by tragedy, comedy, and the daily struggles of life repeatedly. They fight and make up, they love and are loved, they marry and move on. The thing that is perfect, however, is O'Carroll's depiction of them. You want them to succeed. You cheer on their triumphs and cry over their tragedies.

While this one is a little darker than the previous two, and maybe has more coincidences that strain the limitations of belief, it is also a more mature novel. Agnes finds herself not fighting nor embracing change, but feeling it deeply nonetheless, just as the reader finds themselves happy where the Browne children ended up, but feeling a nostalgic yearning for their happy days all together as well.

The ending may be a bit pat to some, but it never crossed into boring melodrama. I teared up a bit, and that is O'Carroll's success. He may not be the greatest writer - one reviewer describes him as "unpretentious" - but he knows people, and he makes you love the Browne family deeply and completely.

[Marialuisa Miceli]

Quando entri in una storia, qualsiasi essa sia, ti senti totalmente orfana, una volta terminata la lettura, se poi la storia in questione è una splendida saga familiare, ambientata nella Dublino popolare, dei primi decenni del 900, e con una protagonista semplice e eccezionale come Agnes Browne, il senso di vuoto immenso che ti senti dentro è forte.
Non perdi soltanto un romanzo, un altro capitolo di una saga, ma vieni privata delle rocambolesche avventure di una famiglia comune, e cominci a sentire la mancanza di ogni singolo protagonista di questa storia e a ripercorrerne mentalmente la crescita.
In quest'ultimo (per me in ordine di lettura!) anello della catena, Agnes si dissolve dietro i suoi figli e le loro vicende e perde quell'ilarita'e determinazione che aveva avuto nel capitolo come madre.
Adesso Agnes è ancora più umana, reale, veritiera.
Soffre per i suoi figli, si rallegra per la nascita dei suoi nipoti ma trema all'idea di averli ormai tutti sparpagliati, lontani dalle sue abituali chiacchiere serali, sotto il tetto dei Browne.
Ora che sono diventati tutti adulti, ognuno di loro segue il proprio destino, compie le proprie scelte, nella solita consapevolezza di essere parte di un clan familiare e di doversi misurare, seppur involontariamente, tra loro nell'affetto della madre.
È quello che succede a Dermont, che come avevamo già capito, è l'ultimo figlio scapestrato di casa Browne.
La sua vita sarà al centro di questo racconto, ci prenderà per mano e ci insegnerà che alla delusione e alla rabbia in una famiglia non deve esserci posto, ma un semplice abbraccio risolve tutto e riconcilia con sé stessi, nella certezza di essere parte d una squadra e di essere voluti bene.
"La frattura nella sua vita era stata ricomposta dal solido acciaio dell'amore."

[David Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Granny is the third book in the Agnes Browne (Mrs Brown’s Boys) trilogy by Brendan O’Carroll. With all the Browne children now grown up and leaving home to go their own ways Agnes Browne becomes a granny at 47 when Mark and Betty have their first child.

Some of the children have gone on to lead very successful lives while Cathy is stuck in a bad marriage, Dermot ends up in prison for manslaughter along with his best mate Buster and Trevor moves to England. Agnes finds the break-up of the family hard to deal with but with her lover Pierre by her side she copes.

She now has Mark as a successful manager director of his own company and Trevor has his own business illustrating children’s books that isn’t going too well until Dermot helps him out.

Overall, while not as humorous as the previous 2 novels it is still packed with humour along with sadness they keeps you turning the page. Very well written with the characters have gotten stronger since the first novel and you feel for every one of them.

A great book about the Browne family spirit and how despite how much it bends it will never be broken.

A truly great read. Highly recommend. All 3 books have been superbly written and are a great joy to read filled with laughter and sadness.

Rating: 5/5

[Crisadmaiora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leggere una saga a volte è molto bello. Ti affezioni ai personaggi e sei presa dalla voglia di seguirne la storia e magari quando finisce ti senti un vuoto e vorresti non doverli abbandonare mai.
Ma con Agnes Browne non mi è successo. Agnes Browne ragazza che è stato l'ultimo scritto da O'Carroll ma che racconta l'inizio di Agnes, la sua giovinezza e la sua amicizia con Marion, è secondo me il migliore della serie, quello con più sentimento. Agnes Browne mamma ha invece molto umorismo e anche se alcune situazioni sono di una comicità leggermente forzata si ride di cuore. Ecco avrei dovuto fermarmi lì ma non ho resistito e la delusione c'è. Questo, dei 4 libri, l'ho letto solo perché non mi piace abbandonare i libri senza finirli ma ho saltato varie pagine e ho seguito con un'pò di convinzione solo la parte finale quando riappare Marion. In generale I marmocchi di Agnes e Agnes Browne nonna mi sono sembrati più adatti ad una sceneggiatura da fiction televisiva e non mi hanno coinvolta per nulla. Manca la sensazione dell'atmosfera di Dublino, manca l'umorismo iniziale, manca il sentimento, manca la magia che O'Carroll cita in Agnes Browne ragazza. Manca la forza di Agnes. Certe volte è meglio non andare avanti e lasciare un personaggio amato alla nostra fantasia.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book of the Agnes Browne trilogy finds Agnes with an empty-nest as her 7 children are now all grown and living their own lives. Now with more time to herself Agnes is able to indulge in the romance she has been having with her boyfriend Pierre, the charming French pizza shop owner. Agnes blossoms as a woman in love and will hear the cherished word "Granny" as her first grandchild is born. As is usual for Agnes' brood not all is quite so perfect. One child enters into a desperately unhappy marriage while another ends up in prison after a childish prank that kills a man. Unfortunately, Agnes and the imprisoned child have a falling-out that breaks her heart and separates Mother and child for years. The Browne siblings' stories range from blissful highs to horrific lows but Agnes is always there in the background loving her 'chiselers'.

Once again O'Carroll has drawn me into Agnes' life and I have enjoyed the visit immensely. Yes, the ending of the trilogy made me cry but I'm glad I met Agnes and her family.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three of these books were really good and really fast reads. The first two were hilarious, with some drama and one sad part each. This one however, was very sad. It had it's uplifting moments, but it kind of ended the trilogy on a low note. The author also seems to have at least one fabulously unlikely coincidence occur in each book, but I can forgive him for this, since it makes for a satisfying ending. The only real complaint I have is my disappointment in Agnes because of her attitude towards her son Rory. After the way she is about her children in the other two books, I would have expected her to be happy for him and to stand up for him no matter what. She's human, I guess, but it just seemed out of character. I will read the prequel, The Young Wan soon, but I think I will take a break from Agnes for a little while.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo terzo episodio mi ha dato una strana sensazione. Non mi è piaciuto come i primi due, ma non me ne volevo separare.
Durante la lettura mi arrabbiavo quando Agnes non parlava, ma mi facevo coinvolgere dalle storie dei suoi figli.
Ero in cerca delle battute di Agnes, quelle battute uniche del primo volume, rare nel secondo e qui del tutto scomparse. Pensavo fossero soprattutto quelle a rendere originale la storia, che altrimenti sarebbe stata abbastanza quotidiana.
O' carroll ci ha fatto conoscere l'energia di Agnes da mamma e poi, in questo volume, ha fatto in modo che ci basassimo sui ricordi che abbiamo di lei.E il suo sistema funziona, si, perchè non volevo più staccarmi dal libro... ma allo stesso tempo avrei voluto fare ancora due chiacchiere con quella Agnes, quella che quando parlava ti lasciava a bocca aperta.