The Ballad of Mo & G

by Billy Keane

A gritty black comedy from a talented writer, this is an unconventional love story and an insight into the bleak landscape of post-boom Ireland. Author Christine Dwyer Hickey 'Dark, often disturbing and utterly absorbing. In The Ballad of Mo & G, Billy Keane has entered a tough world and handled it with great skill and humanity. It is also a love story for our time.' '

Even though I wished it was me she was married to, I was still hoping Mo would be happy ever after with Dermo Olsen. That was until the violence started. I loved her that much. Can you believe that?' Welcome to an unnamed town in the southwest of Ireland, where Mo and G have what could loosely be described as a dysfunctional relationship. Between the sex, beatings, and pining after Mo, there’s barely time for G to worry about his arch-enemies, the Olsens – or their Dobermans. G is plagued by nightmares, and sometimes tries to do the right thing. Very occasionally, he succeeds.

In The Ballad of Mo & G, Billy Keane tackles lives lived on the edge with a sharp yet compassionate eye, and a biting black humor. An assured report from Ireland’s dark, post-boom underbelly by a supremely talented storyteller.

Genres: Irish Literature

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2013

Reviews

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love story but very dark

[Carolann Copland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read anything like this before. I applaud the courage of Billy Keane's 'The Ballad of Mo and G'. It is a breath of fresh air. His main characters are so vivid they might have been painted on the page. Mo and G are an up to date normal couple, who find themselves in a tragic situation. Maureen the mother in law is a gas ticket, but her undying love for her rotten to the core son Dermo is terrifying. I'm so glad this book was recommended to me. A greatly satisfying read!

[Daniel Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the dark beginning put you off, this book is an absorbing read which paints a vivid if often disturbing picture of the characters lives. A great modern Irish novel that captured my full attention all the way to the final page.

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

I enjoyed the book, but I found disturbing the violence in it against his wife, There is good humour in it, but I was not expecting toward the final chapters the twist, I am not going to say what the twist is. you will have to read it.