The Rainbow Singer: A Novel

by Simon Kerr

The narrator of this harrowing and hilarious novel is Wil Carson, a former Protestant ex-thug from Northern Ireland. Wils adolescent hatred of Catholics is inherited from his bigoted father, but his sardonic twist on life as a no-hoper from the Backstreets of East Belfast is all his own. When the opportunity of a lifetime arisesa chance to travel to America as part of a church-sponsored peace projectWil decides to swallow his prejudices and go along with the program. But his goodwill only goes so far, and a series of tragi-comic events lands him in a Wisconsin penitentiary. Wils stint behind bars leaves him plenty of time to review his past deeds, ponder the choices hes made, and reflect on a life of mixed blessings and curses. The Rainbow Singer offers a unique slant on Northern Irelands ethnic strife as well as an utterly original and distinct new voice in fiction.

277 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I picked this up: maybe it was being the product of what in Northern Ireland was referred to as a mixed marriage. It was an interesting book, but I found Wil and his friends extremely unsympathetic, even while I could see the forces that shaped them and left them feeling unable to act any other way. I think there was not quite enough humanity in the book - but maybe I'm an incurable optimist.

[Charlaralotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up a used copy off Portabello Road in an Aid for Romania charity shop. A quick read and quite good account of one Irish teen's experience on supervised holiday to America to mend relations between Protestants and Catholics. Would probably make a good movie, as primarily action-based. Always interesting to see major conflicts through eyes of those involved in them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book that considers how the Troubles affected young people growing up in Ireland, and in the extreme case of the main character, incited them to become involved in the violence.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I like books where you don't have to like the protagonist, that's what this is.