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Agnes Browne #2
The Chisellers
The Mrs. Browne trilogy became an instant bestselling success in author Brendan O'Carroll 's native Ireland. Similarly, when Plume introduced The Mammy (the first book in the series, May 1999) in the United States, it was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm from American readers. Fans of Agnes Browne craving further hilarious and heartwarming adventures will be delighted with The Chisellers . Agnes, the lovable and determined heroine, returns with her seven children—whom she affectionately calls "the chisellers"—all struggling to make their way in the world with varying degrees of success. To make matters more difficult, as Agnes struggles along the bumpy road of parenting, she learns that the family is about to be forced out of their tenement home in the name of urban renewal. Pierre, Agnes' persistent suitor, is thankfully on hand to console her. Like all good Irish stories, The Chisellers includes a wedding and a funeral, much laughter and some tears—and it is sure to please newcomers as well as loyal fans of this terrific series.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
44 people are currently reading
1180 people want to read
About the author
Brendan O'Carroll
33 books223 followersBrendan 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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
April 12, 2020
The hilarious saga of the Browne family continues, but changes are in the air as the group prepares to relocate from their Dublin tenement to a suburban neighborhood. The kids are growing up, and finding both love and employment. But, problems exist even in the most loving familes, and the Brownes are no exception.
Some of the bits that made me laugh -
-Agnes attempts to tell her friend, Carmel, about her daughter's poor behavior:
'You know,' she announced suddenly, 'your Cathy's language has gone to the dogs.'
Carmel thought for a moment, then began to nod her head. 'D'yeh know, Agnes you're right. It's fuckin' dreadful. And she's an imperint little bitch as well. I think she gets the bad language off the O'Briens in eighty-one, fuckers they are.'
-Rory attempts to tell his mother about his "lifestyle" decision:
Rory hesitated before breaking what he knew would be earth-shattering news to Agnes. 'I ... I'm gay, Mammy.'
Agnes held onto her smile and said casually, 'That's nice - I'm happy too,' and she stood up and began to clean the kitchen.
-And, Mark, dressed for the first time in a nice suit, is forced to endure the catcalls . . . of the neighborhood women:
'Hey, Mark!' Mrs. Williams called. 'Would you risk it for a biscuit?'
'Go on outa that, Mark Browne,' Mrs. Troy called, 'wiggle your arse when you go by us, yeh fine thing!'
Good times, good times.
I was tempted to only give this one four stars, as most of the book is not as funny as the first, but the last third really picks up the pace, AND the laughs, and finishes strong, though with a sad reminder that even if happy times predominate, life ain't all hearts and flowers.
Some of the bits that made me laugh -
-Agnes attempts to tell her friend, Carmel, about her daughter's poor behavior:
'You know,' she announced suddenly, 'your Cathy's language has gone to the dogs.'
Carmel thought for a moment, then began to nod her head. 'D'yeh know, Agnes you're right. It's fuckin' dreadful. And she's an imperint little bitch as well. I think she gets the bad language off the O'Briens in eighty-one, fuckers they are.'
-Rory attempts to tell his mother about his "lifestyle" decision:
Rory hesitated before breaking what he knew would be earth-shattering news to Agnes. 'I ... I'm gay, Mammy.'
Agnes held onto her smile and said casually, 'That's nice - I'm happy too,' and she stood up and began to clean the kitchen.
-And, Mark, dressed for the first time in a nice suit, is forced to endure the catcalls . . . of the neighborhood women:
'Hey, Mark!' Mrs. Williams called. 'Would you risk it for a biscuit?'
'Go on outa that, Mark Browne,' Mrs. Troy called, 'wiggle your arse when you go by us, yeh fine thing!'
Good times, good times.
I was tempted to only give this one four stars, as most of the book is not as funny as the first, but the last third really picks up the pace, AND the laughs, and finishes strong, though with a sad reminder that even if happy times predominate, life ain't all hearts and flowers.
December 27, 2014
Plenty of charm and humor is this tale of Agnes Brown and her crew of seven kids in Dublin circa 1970. She always seems to make ends meet with income from her vegetable stand and work some of her oldest kids do. Her eldest Mark is studying to be a carpenter and works to pull off a plan to save a furniture factory from going under. Dermot is smart and popular, but uses brain for brilliant shoplifting. Poor sweet Simon has a terrible stutter. The one who really breaks her heart is Manny, who has taken to running with skinheads and dreams of becoming a drug dealer. Unfortunately, her kind son Rory, who is studying hair dressing and is secretly gay, is subject to bullying from the very gang Manny runs with. As Agnes rides the triumphs and crises of her kids’ lives, she dreams of winning big on bingo, finding true love in a slowly developing romance. Another crisis is the landlord’s plan to move all the families from the tenement she lives in to a new project in a more suburban location. The first in the series, “The Mammy”, was fresh and funny. Here the humor is toned down, the sense of vibrant life in this struggling family still makes a heartwarming diversion for readers jaded by too made dark stories.
July 29, 2017
Davvero carino pure questo!
Qui Agnes ha 41 anni e deve fare i conti con Frankie (ahia!), Cathy (sedicenne innamorata), Simon, Rory (gay), Trevor (artista geniale) e Mark che è il vero protagonista di queste pagine!
Talmente brillante da meritarsi cinque stelle!
Qui Agnes ha 41 anni e deve fare i conti con Frankie (ahia!), Cathy (sedicenne innamorata), Simon, Rory (gay), Trevor (artista geniale) e Mark che è il vero protagonista di queste pagine!
Talmente brillante da meritarsi cinque stelle!
October 21, 2018
Sono state per me 180 pagine di puro piacere. Fa bene al cuore e alla mente.
«Agnes si girò sulla sedia e guardò. Quella che una volta era stata la normale finestra di una scuola, larga due metri e alta uno, era stata dipinta come una vetrata istoriata, con la scena dell’Ultima Cena. I colori usati erano forti e brillanti, e il pasto che doveva essere alla base del rito cristiano sembrava una festa, non la solita veglia funebre. Quell’artista doveva avere una spiritualità diversa dalla maggior parte delle persone. La finestra era meravigliosa; nei giorni di sole ci si poteva immaginare l’ufficio pieno di colori. L’opera d’arte serviva anche per distrarre l’attenzione della gente dalla grande incrinatura, a forma di mezzaluna, nell’angolo superiore destro della finestra. Agnes si voltò di nuovo verso Miss Conway.
“E allora?” chiese.
“L’ha fatta suo figlio!” dichiarò tutta fiera Miss Conway.
“Piccolo bastardo! Questa volta lo ammazzo di botte, per la miseria! Quanto mi costerà farla sostituire?”
Agnes non aveva visto l’opera d’arte, ma solo l’incrinatura. Succede di frequente con i genitori dei bambini dotati.
“Il dipinto, Mrs Browne. Suo figlio è l’autore del dipinto” …»
[anobii, Apr 2010]
«Agnes si girò sulla sedia e guardò. Quella che una volta era stata la normale finestra di una scuola, larga due metri e alta uno, era stata dipinta come una vetrata istoriata, con la scena dell’Ultima Cena. I colori usati erano forti e brillanti, e il pasto che doveva essere alla base del rito cristiano sembrava una festa, non la solita veglia funebre. Quell’artista doveva avere una spiritualità diversa dalla maggior parte delle persone. La finestra era meravigliosa; nei giorni di sole ci si poteva immaginare l’ufficio pieno di colori. L’opera d’arte serviva anche per distrarre l’attenzione della gente dalla grande incrinatura, a forma di mezzaluna, nell’angolo superiore destro della finestra. Agnes si voltò di nuovo verso Miss Conway.
“E allora?” chiese.
“L’ha fatta suo figlio!” dichiarò tutta fiera Miss Conway.
“Piccolo bastardo! Questa volta lo ammazzo di botte, per la miseria! Quanto mi costerà farla sostituire?”
Agnes non aveva visto l’opera d’arte, ma solo l’incrinatura. Succede di frequente con i genitori dei bambini dotati.
“Il dipinto, Mrs Browne. Suo figlio è l’autore del dipinto” …»
[anobii, Apr 2010]
December 23, 2011
Good enough to make me want to read the last book in the trilogy, but not as sharp and funny as the first book in the series: The Mammy. Gets a bit buried in the sentiment, and a bit too Binchy-ish.
July 9, 2012
You can read each book in the Agnes Browne series in a day - and you should. "The Chisellers" is the second book in the series. My expectations were pretty high after I'd finished "The Mammy" and I wasn't disappointed. Perhaps there was not as much humor in this book, and while I missed that, it didn't stop me from enjoying the story. I love the dialect, I adore Agnes, and her children are a riot. They feel like the neighbors next door. If my neighbors were Irish. And if we lived in a Dublin tenement. In the 70's. Which we don't. Or didn't. But still.
One thing was a little strange, though. The description led me to believe that the story would be all about the Brownes' forced move to a new home. Not so much. True, the move happens, but it's pretty much a non-event. Not that it matters, really. It was just odd.
One thing was a little strange, though. The description led me to believe that the story would be all about the Brownes' forced move to a new home. Not so much. True, the move happens, but it's pretty much a non-event. Not that it matters, really. It was just odd.
April 6, 2023
Sequel di “Agnes Browne mamma”, questo libro si incentra sulla vita e le vicissitudini dei figli.
La scrittura è sempre molto scorrevole e ti viene voglia di finirlo tutto d’un fiato.
Essendo i ragazzi diventati grandi, anche il libro è più “adulto” rispetto al primo ed infatti non è esilarante come il predecessore, in cui vi erano dei passaggi dove letteralmente ti sganasciavi dalle risate.
La scrittura è sempre molto scorrevole e ti viene voglia di finirlo tutto d’un fiato.
Essendo i ragazzi diventati grandi, anche il libro è più “adulto” rispetto al primo ed infatti non è esilarante come il predecessore, in cui vi erano dei passaggi dove letteralmente ti sganasciavi dalle risate.
January 25, 2016
This is the second book in the Agnes Browne trilogy, recounting the continued story of the Dublin widow and her seven children.
It is wise for the Dubliner (and everyone else, too) to remember: “If you take on one of Agnes Browne’s children, you take on all of them.”
Agnes is notified that her tenement building will be torn down in an urban renewal project, and she will be relocated to a modern, 3-bedroom, townhome in the suburbs, with electricity, a modern kitchen, indoor plumbing, and room for a garden. But she doesn’t want to leave the Jarro and all her friends; besides there’s no early morning bus from Finglas to central Dublin, so how will she get to the market before 5:00a to bargain for the best produce for her stand?
Her brood is growing up, leaving school (with or without graduating), and finding their way in the world. Mark is the steadfast oldest son, Frankie the wild one who will break her heart, Rory a gentle man with a secret, Dermot a charming rapscallion, Simon a studious and religious boy with a stutter, Cathy the lone girl and blossoming into a young woman, and Trevor the “baby” brother with a genuine gift. Agnes and her children have gone through some very tough times, but they are making their way and a little success goes a long way to lifting one’s spirits.
O’Carroll doesn’t ignore the difficulties and heartbreak, but he doesn’t dwell on them either. And he softens the blows with a generous dose of Irish humor. The Browne’s are an engaging lot, and I’m happy to spend some time with them.
It is wise for the Dubliner (and everyone else, too) to remember: “If you take on one of Agnes Browne’s children, you take on all of them.”
Agnes is notified that her tenement building will be torn down in an urban renewal project, and she will be relocated to a modern, 3-bedroom, townhome in the suburbs, with electricity, a modern kitchen, indoor plumbing, and room for a garden. But she doesn’t want to leave the Jarro and all her friends; besides there’s no early morning bus from Finglas to central Dublin, so how will she get to the market before 5:00a to bargain for the best produce for her stand?
Her brood is growing up, leaving school (with or without graduating), and finding their way in the world. Mark is the steadfast oldest son, Frankie the wild one who will break her heart, Rory a gentle man with a secret, Dermot a charming rapscallion, Simon a studious and religious boy with a stutter, Cathy the lone girl and blossoming into a young woman, and Trevor the “baby” brother with a genuine gift. Agnes and her children have gone through some very tough times, but they are making their way and a little success goes a long way to lifting one’s spirits.
O’Carroll doesn’t ignore the difficulties and heartbreak, but he doesn’t dwell on them either. And he softens the blows with a generous dose of Irish humor. The Browne’s are an engaging lot, and I’m happy to spend some time with them.
December 1, 2013
I was surprised to discover that the "chisellers" referred to in the title are Agnes' children, and that it is not a pejorative. Where I grew up a chiseller is a con-artist, a moocher, a sponger who takes without giving back. Cultural differences, I guess. This is the story of the Brownes in the 70s, as each child tries to find his or her way in the world, for good or ill.
This volume does read like a "transitional" volume of a trilogy, which I guess it is. There are many characters, plot lines are a bit thinner. I didn't laugh as much as I did when reading The Mammy, and I did find myself skimming certain bits, trying to get back to the story. The "fairy tale" element is still rather strong, though not all goes to plan, and fortunately Cliff Richard gets only a passing mention. I got a strong feeling that this volume sets up a lot of things for the next. I just can't get used to this whole "series" thing that modern writers have going on. It reads very quickly, and felt "shorted" here and there for some reason.
Looks like I'll have to read the next volume to find out why. sigh
This volume does read like a "transitional" volume of a trilogy, which I guess it is. There are many characters, plot lines are a bit thinner. I didn't laugh as much as I did when reading The Mammy, and I did find myself skimming certain bits, trying to get back to the story. The "fairy tale" element is still rather strong, though not all goes to plan, and fortunately Cliff Richard gets only a passing mention. I got a strong feeling that this volume sets up a lot of things for the next. I just can't get used to this whole "series" thing that modern writers have going on. It reads very quickly, and felt "shorted" here and there for some reason.
Looks like I'll have to read the next volume to find out why. sigh
May 24, 2014
Years ago, I read The Mammy, a wonderful story about Agnes Browne, a widowed mother of seven living in lower-class Dublin in the 1960's. Having thoroughly enjoyed that novel, I was happy to see the second tale of the Agnes Browne trilogy on the library shelf.
Agnes Browne is now middle aged, and her children are growing rapidly. They all have unique personalities, from conscientious responsible Mark, to drug-addicted criminal Frankie, to gay hairdresser Rory. There are problems, both major and minor, and many disappointments, but through it all is a great sense of humor and a beautiful picture of a family sticking together.
The novel moves quickly, with likeable characters and charming Irish dialect. It is not a deep or poetic novel, but a fun, heart-warming one. And the charming photograph on the cover was enough to sell me on the book!
Agnes Browne is now middle aged, and her children are growing rapidly. They all have unique personalities, from conscientious responsible Mark, to drug-addicted criminal Frankie, to gay hairdresser Rory. There are problems, both major and minor, and many disappointments, but through it all is a great sense of humor and a beautiful picture of a family sticking together.
The novel moves quickly, with likeable characters and charming Irish dialect. It is not a deep or poetic novel, but a fun, heart-warming one. And the charming photograph on the cover was enough to sell me on the book!
July 26, 2010
The second in The Mammy series. This book takes the reader deeper into the dark corners of the family, their faults and secrets come to light and are dealt with in either a light-hearted or in a not dealing with this manner. It's well done because that's the way the Irish deal with the miseries and misfortunes of life--well, my Irish heritage does anyway. The children become real as they grow and Agnes is literally spread a bit thin. She's the heart of the family that is essentially raising itself as she works nearly around the clock then spends a fair amount of time in pubs or on dates with her new French amour. It's a good read, a true Irish voice within the writing rings honestly and I do recommend it.
December 31, 2014
I ADORE this series! So funny I can't help laughing out loud and scary the bejesus out if my poor cat. This is the second, next comes "The Granny" and that completes the box set. I did find one more Brendan Carroll title that is sort of a prequel called The Wan or something like that. About Agnes Brown before marriage. Though funny as Angela's Ashes, these are not as dark or depressing but they do give an honest account of life and language in Ireland back in the days.
August 7, 2012
This is the second book in the Agnes Brown trilogy. I read the first book, The Mammy several years ago and loved it. Agnes Brown is a widow with seven children living in Dublin. This book continues the story of The Mammy. The book is poignant and funny at the same time. A great read.
June 30, 2016
Another winner
I like this series, it's engaging, fun and enjoyable. I will read more of Mr. O'Carroll's books. Another fun Irish writer.
I like this series, it's engaging, fun and enjoyable. I will read more of Mr. O'Carroll's books. Another fun Irish writer.
July 16, 2008
All are really fun to read... Do it you won't be sorry
March 18, 2018
Just as much fun to read as the first one. The kids are a little older, and the problems and challenges -- and also the joys -- are a little more mature. Love the dialogue, love the characters, love the family. I thought I had all 3 in the trilogy, but it turns out I have 2 + a stand alone about Agnes' childhood. Eagerly waiting for the missing book to come in so I can spend some more time with the Browne family.
December 13, 2022
This is the second book about Agnes Brown and her family; however, you don't need to have read the first as it also stands alone. It tells the story of working class people in Dublin and their day to day lives.
I read this book in one sitting. It's so well written and the characters practically leap off the page. From the first page to the last, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I read this book in one sitting. It's so well written and the characters practically leap off the page. From the first page to the last, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 26, 2017
Delightful
March 5, 2018
Anche il secondo volume della saga di Agnes Browne non delude. Storia avvincente in ogni suo punto, mai banale ne scontata, i suoi figli non sono da meno.
April 20, 2019
A little slow to begin with but it got a lot better as the book went on :)
August 30, 2021
Don’t underestimate these wonderful little books. Very entertaining reading.
The Browne family is a hoot, hard working, loving and they know how to party. But if you mess with one of them, you are in trouble with all of them.
The Browne family is a hoot, hard working, loving and they know how to party. But if you mess with one of them, you are in trouble with all of them.
August 30, 2023
Agnes, dopo la morte di Rosso continua a fare da madre ai suoi figli che crescendo tirano fuori sempre di più la loro personalità. In più a un certo punto si ritrova a dover traslocare dal centro di Dublino per spostarsi in campagna, ma dopo una vita passata in centro, spostare si in periferia, i dubbi sono tanti. Mark diventa adulto e insieme a lui crescono le responsabilità sia nei confronti della famiglia, ma anche a livello lavorativo e… sentimentale.
Ho iniziato questa serie qualche mese fa, primo libro (prefazione) bellissimo, il primo della serie mi ha lasciata qualche dubbio in quanto l’autore ha modificato qualcosa e adesso finisco questo. Il terzo in ordine cronologico. Cosa dire? Bellissimo! Se Agnes Browne ragazza l’ho trovato spassoso, Agnes Browne mamma in qualche parte triste, questo l’ho trovato ricco. Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il ruolo di Mark, bellissimo come personaggio. Agnes spassosa ma al tempo stesso piena di responsabilità nel dover tirare su i figli da sola e dover far fronte a tutto.
Lo consiglio? Sicuramente si e non vedo l’ora di iniziare l’ultimo, anche se so che mi mancheranno tutti.
Ho iniziato questa serie qualche mese fa, primo libro (prefazione) bellissimo, il primo della serie mi ha lasciata qualche dubbio in quanto l’autore ha modificato qualcosa e adesso finisco questo. Il terzo in ordine cronologico. Cosa dire? Bellissimo! Se Agnes Browne ragazza l’ho trovato spassoso, Agnes Browne mamma in qualche parte triste, questo l’ho trovato ricco. Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il ruolo di Mark, bellissimo come personaggio. Agnes spassosa ma al tempo stesso piena di responsabilità nel dover tirare su i figli da sola e dover far fronte a tutto.
Lo consiglio? Sicuramente si e non vedo l’ora di iniziare l’ultimo, anche se so che mi mancheranno tutti.
March 22, 2015
The Chisellers continues the story of the Browne family a couple of years after the events of The Mammy. With the elder children now bringing in a wage, life in the tenements is a little more bearable for the family. Agnes receives a letter one morning from the Dublin Corporation, the tenements are to be demolished and the family are to be uprooted across Dublin in a matter of weeks. Agnes and the residents are soon in uproar, protesting at the move.
The comedy this time around takes a bit of a backseat, it's still there and the book is in places extremely funny but it's a bit of a serious read in places, and there were a number of developments and twists that I wasn't expecting. Now the children are older, Frankie is a skinhead which is bad news for Rory who is now working in a hairdressers, being chased home of a night by the local gang of skinheads. When Frankie is kicked out of school his troubles soon escalate as he finds himself caught up with some very dodgy people. Dermot is somewhat of a rascal and I loved the story of how he shoplifted a pair of trousers from a local clothes shop. All while Agnes and Mark sat in a cafe upstairs after shelling out close to £100 on a suit, Mark starting to make a good living for himself and his family. The other children again have their roles to play in the story, I'm particularly fond of Trevor. All of the characters just come to life on the page.
Once again O'Carroll writes about a time and place that he knows well giving the book a real feel of authenticity, and highlighting the subjects that people at that time had to face, sometimes difficult but writing about it in a very humorous way. Through the drama and the heartache it's a very bittersweet read in places, and once again Agnes Browne and her 'chisellers' are a joy to read about. I was left speechless with certain events towards the end of The Chisellers and wasn't expecting O'Carroll to take the story where he did but it definitely left me wanting to continue with the trilogy straightaway. I love O'Carroll's writing, it's just fantastic, and as with The Mammy I had this read in just a few sittings which is actually a bit of a shame because they are over far too soon. As I recommended The Mammy, The Chisellers comes highly recommended by me also.
The comedy this time around takes a bit of a backseat, it's still there and the book is in places extremely funny but it's a bit of a serious read in places, and there were a number of developments and twists that I wasn't expecting. Now the children are older, Frankie is a skinhead which is bad news for Rory who is now working in a hairdressers, being chased home of a night by the local gang of skinheads. When Frankie is kicked out of school his troubles soon escalate as he finds himself caught up with some very dodgy people. Dermot is somewhat of a rascal and I loved the story of how he shoplifted a pair of trousers from a local clothes shop. All while Agnes and Mark sat in a cafe upstairs after shelling out close to £100 on a suit, Mark starting to make a good living for himself and his family. The other children again have their roles to play in the story, I'm particularly fond of Trevor. All of the characters just come to life on the page.
Once again O'Carroll writes about a time and place that he knows well giving the book a real feel of authenticity, and highlighting the subjects that people at that time had to face, sometimes difficult but writing about it in a very humorous way. Through the drama and the heartache it's a very bittersweet read in places, and once again Agnes Browne and her 'chisellers' are a joy to read about. I was left speechless with certain events towards the end of The Chisellers and wasn't expecting O'Carroll to take the story where he did but it definitely left me wanting to continue with the trilogy straightaway. I love O'Carroll's writing, it's just fantastic, and as with The Mammy I had this read in just a few sittings which is actually a bit of a shame because they are over far too soon. As I recommended The Mammy, The Chisellers comes highly recommended by me also.
January 24, 2016
Uprooted from her beloved Jarro, Agnes Brown leaves inner-city Dublin forced into the suburbs by the housing authority. Since most of her Jarro neighbors have been relocated to the same area Agnes quickly makes a home for herself and her seven children. The eldest child Mark has become an apprentice carpenter, Frankie falls in with a group of Neo-Nazi skinheads, Rory is developing a flair for hairdressing (a career that does not sit well with brother Frankie and his gang), Dermot becomes quie adept at shoplifting, Simon struggles in school with his stutter, Catherine learns about life and sex vicariously through her best friend Catherine, and the baby Trevor shows amazing artistic ability.
After winning the big pot at the local Bingo Parlor Agnes plans a vacation for herself to visit her sister Dolly in Canada. Mark asks his mother for a loan to help him save the carpentry shop he woks in and loves. She willingly helps Mark but hides her money from Frankie who has now been expelled from school and has become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Frankie and his gang confront a gay young man one evening and beat him nearly to death. When Frankie realizes it is his brother Rory that they attacked he steals his Mother's money and flees to London. The rest of the book deals with Mark's struggle to become a furniture designer and master carpenter and Frankie's fall into further trouble.
This second book in the Agnes Browne trilogy, although not as sunny and comic as the first, is still a wonderful look into the life of a strong Irish mother who loves her family and her friends. I would love to know Agnes.
After winning the big pot at the local Bingo Parlor Agnes plans a vacation for herself to visit her sister Dolly in Canada. Mark asks his mother for a loan to help him save the carpentry shop he woks in and loves. She willingly helps Mark but hides her money from Frankie who has now been expelled from school and has become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Frankie and his gang confront a gay young man one evening and beat him nearly to death. When Frankie realizes it is his brother Rory that they attacked he steals his Mother's money and flees to London. The rest of the book deals with Mark's struggle to become a furniture designer and master carpenter and Frankie's fall into further trouble.
This second book in the Agnes Browne trilogy, although not as sunny and comic as the first, is still a wonderful look into the life of a strong Irish mother who loves her family and her friends. I would love to know Agnes.
March 24, 2013
The Chisellers is the second book of the Mrs Browne trilogy (this trilogy is he inspiration behind the very successful TV series Mrs Brown’s Boys).
This book is starts 3 years after the first (1970) and Agnes Browne and her children are being forced to move from the Jarro in Dublin to a new housing estate in the country. It focuses more on her children (chisellers) this time from the eldest, Mark, who is on his way to owning his own business building furniture down to the youngest one, Trevor, who is considered by his school as a “national treasure” with his artistic skills. Thrown in is the black sheep of the family, Frankie, who gets involved with skinheads, drugs and gangsters.
Overall, again (as with the first) this is a well-written book where the characters come to life. It is filled with humour with my favourite being that when they move they had a new fridge that they used to store things like bread in but it was 3 months before Agnes realised that she had to actually plug it in! Without giving too much away this is a fun story with the message remaining the same, always look out for your family – if you mess with one child of Agnes Browne, you mess with them all.
I highly recommend that you order this trilogy right away, they will have you engrossed right to the last page.
Now off to start reading the last part of the trilogy: The Granny.
Rating: 5/5
This book is starts 3 years after the first (1970) and Agnes Browne and her children are being forced to move from the Jarro in Dublin to a new housing estate in the country. It focuses more on her children (chisellers) this time from the eldest, Mark, who is on his way to owning his own business building furniture down to the youngest one, Trevor, who is considered by his school as a “national treasure” with his artistic skills. Thrown in is the black sheep of the family, Frankie, who gets involved with skinheads, drugs and gangsters.
Overall, again (as with the first) this is a well-written book where the characters come to life. It is filled with humour with my favourite being that when they move they had a new fridge that they used to store things like bread in but it was 3 months before Agnes realised that she had to actually plug it in! Without giving too much away this is a fun story with the message remaining the same, always look out for your family – if you mess with one child of Agnes Browne, you mess with them all.
I highly recommend that you order this trilogy right away, they will have you engrossed right to the last page.
Now off to start reading the last part of the trilogy: The Granny.
Rating: 5/5
November 27, 2013
Secondo capitolo dedicato ai Browne e all’Irlanda con i suoi pub e le sue atmosfere surreali, e nulla è cambiato rispetto al primo.
Stesso ottimismo sfrenato. Ogni piccola situazione ha il suo lieto fine; le cose si sistemano sempre e tra l’altro esattamente come ti aspetti, senza colpi di scena o trovate particolarmente fantasiose. Eppure, come nel primo libro, arrivi in fondo e non sei deluso o annoiato; certo, non sei estasiato dalle storie appena lette e di certo non ti rimarranno nel cuore per sempre, ma il senso positivo ti resta incollato addosso. E non è male come sensazione, proprio per niente.
Da qualche parte ho già pronto anche il terzo dei quattro o forse cinque libri che compongono la saga; sono curiosa di scoprire quale sarà la mia reazione quando lo leggerò, fra qualche mese o forse anno.
Aggiungo che mi piace sempre, alla fine di un libro, leggere i ringraziamenti dell’autore; spesso si assomigliano; ogni tanto sono stringatissimi, alle volte fin troppo prolissi, ogni tanto un po’ freddi e ogni tanto appassionati. Certe volte neanche ci sono. Beh, i ringraziamenti di Brendan O’Carroll mi sono piaciuti tanto. Li ho già letti 3 volte, e si, mi piacciono proprio. Sono sinceri e sono originali ed è bello sentire l’emozione racchiusa in poche, semplici parole.
Stesso ottimismo sfrenato. Ogni piccola situazione ha il suo lieto fine; le cose si sistemano sempre e tra l’altro esattamente come ti aspetti, senza colpi di scena o trovate particolarmente fantasiose. Eppure, come nel primo libro, arrivi in fondo e non sei deluso o annoiato; certo, non sei estasiato dalle storie appena lette e di certo non ti rimarranno nel cuore per sempre, ma il senso positivo ti resta incollato addosso. E non è male come sensazione, proprio per niente.
Da qualche parte ho già pronto anche il terzo dei quattro o forse cinque libri che compongono la saga; sono curiosa di scoprire quale sarà la mia reazione quando lo leggerò, fra qualche mese o forse anno.
Aggiungo che mi piace sempre, alla fine di un libro, leggere i ringraziamenti dell’autore; spesso si assomigliano; ogni tanto sono stringatissimi, alle volte fin troppo prolissi, ogni tanto un po’ freddi e ogni tanto appassionati. Certe volte neanche ci sono. Beh, i ringraziamenti di Brendan O’Carroll mi sono piaciuti tanto. Li ho già letti 3 volte, e si, mi piacciono proprio. Sono sinceri e sono originali ed è bello sentire l’emozione racchiusa in poche, semplici parole.
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April 24, 2016I giovani Browne crescono, sempre più uniti e in solidarietà con la loro eroica mamma, Agnes Browne.
Ognuno di loro, con il proprio carattere, è protagonista di questo terzo romanzo, con le sue avventure e le sue vite.
Mark, che subito dopo la morte del padre, nel precedente capitolo di questa saga, aveva preso le redini della famiglia, entrando nella falegnameria Wise e studiando come apprendista, adesso si trova ad affrontare un momento di forte crisi nell'azienda e tira fuori la sua intraprendenza e il coraggio necessari per aiutare il direttore dell'impresa.
Frankie è la pecora nera della famiglia, Susan il balbuziente, Rory l'omosessuale, Dermont il furfante, Caty l'unica femmina dei Browne, Trevor l'artista. Agnes cerca, per quanto possibile, di seguirne le crescite, nonostante il suo pesante lavoro e le sue modeste possibilità.
Il valore di una famiglia numerosa, dell'essere cresciuti tutti insieme tra mille difficoltà ma con la certezza di essere una squadra fa da padrone a questo romanzo, che ancora una volta ti tiene incollato alle sue pagine, tra le avventure rocambolesche dei suoi protagonisti e la figura dolce e materna di questa fantastica mamma.
Ognuno di loro, con il proprio carattere, è protagonista di questo terzo romanzo, con le sue avventure e le sue vite.
Mark, che subito dopo la morte del padre, nel precedente capitolo di questa saga, aveva preso le redini della famiglia, entrando nella falegnameria Wise e studiando come apprendista, adesso si trova ad affrontare un momento di forte crisi nell'azienda e tira fuori la sua intraprendenza e il coraggio necessari per aiutare il direttore dell'impresa.
Frankie è la pecora nera della famiglia, Susan il balbuziente, Rory l'omosessuale, Dermont il furfante, Caty l'unica femmina dei Browne, Trevor l'artista. Agnes cerca, per quanto possibile, di seguirne le crescite, nonostante il suo pesante lavoro e le sue modeste possibilità.
Il valore di una famiglia numerosa, dell'essere cresciuti tutti insieme tra mille difficoltà ma con la certezza di essere una squadra fa da padrone a questo romanzo, che ancora una volta ti tiene incollato alle sue pagine, tra le avventure rocambolesche dei suoi protagonisti e la figura dolce e materna di questa fantastica mamma.
November 14, 2010
Il titolo purtroppo aveva ragione. Non è Agnes la protagonista, ma i suoi Chisellers, i suoi marmocchi.
Non che mi siano dispiaciuti, ma è lei la prima attrice e accadeva che il suo ingresso in scena, le sue (poche) parole avessero sempre quella marcia in più. Ma non ce la prendiamo: sono ragazzi e devono crescere, lei invece è già un personaggio. Uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, a dire il vero. Una mamma che riesce a tirar su i suoi figli, tra successi e delusioni. E che si ritira in seconda fila per far luce a loro.
Il risultato è una storia carina, spesso commovente, e ... buona!
Si, perchè anche se ci sono i "cattivi" come Frankie e Manny, la loro cattiveria non li porta da nessuna parte. E' la bontà a trionfare, e qualche lacrima ogni tanto scende.
Se nel primo prevalevano i sorrisi, qui sono le lacrime a vincere ma aspetto con ansia di leggere Agnes nonna, perchè lei ritorna a farla da protagonista già nel titolo: speriamo!!!
Non che mi siano dispiaciuti, ma è lei la prima attrice e accadeva che il suo ingresso in scena, le sue (poche) parole avessero sempre quella marcia in più. Ma non ce la prendiamo: sono ragazzi e devono crescere, lei invece è già un personaggio. Uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, a dire il vero. Una mamma che riesce a tirar su i suoi figli, tra successi e delusioni. E che si ritira in seconda fila per far luce a loro.
Il risultato è una storia carina, spesso commovente, e ... buona!
Si, perchè anche se ci sono i "cattivi" come Frankie e Manny, la loro cattiveria non li porta da nessuna parte. E' la bontà a trionfare, e qualche lacrima ogni tanto scende.
Se nel primo prevalevano i sorrisi, qui sono le lacrime a vincere ma aspetto con ansia di leggere Agnes nonna, perchè lei ritorna a farla da protagonista già nel titolo: speriamo!!!
October 14, 2015
Leggermente meno bello del primo volume, questo romanzo risente del fatto che la penna di O'Caroll si concentri sulla prole di Agnes invece che su di lei; niente da dire sui ragazzi, sono tutti a loro modo simpatici ma l'atmosfera di questo romanzo è più malinconica e delicata, non si ride più con le lacrime agli occhi, le lacrime scendono ma per la commozione.
C'è da dire che questo secondo volume mi è parso più attuale del primo, i ragazzi affrontano la vita e i loro problemi senza esagerazioni ma affrontando temi che oggigiorno sono quotidiani.
L'autore mette in scena anche due personaggi negativi ma nonostante tutte le avventure/disavventure il destino farà il suo corso e vincerà sempre il bene.
Concludendo, I marmocchi di Agnes è un bel romanzo ma la marcia in più è data dal personaggio di Agnes che rende tutto più divertente.
Non vedo l'ora di proseguire questa saga. *-*
C'è da dire che questo secondo volume mi è parso più attuale del primo, i ragazzi affrontano la vita e i loro problemi senza esagerazioni ma affrontando temi che oggigiorno sono quotidiani.
L'autore mette in scena anche due personaggi negativi ma nonostante tutte le avventure/disavventure il destino farà il suo corso e vincerà sempre il bene.
Concludendo, I marmocchi di Agnes è un bel romanzo ma la marcia in più è data dal personaggio di Agnes che rende tutto più divertente.
Non vedo l'ora di proseguire questa saga. *-*
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