What do you think?
Rate this book
Folk'd #1
Folk'd
In Folk’d , Irish mythology meets urban the result is a funny, gripping and unique novel that you won’t be able to put down.
Things haven’t gone to plan for Danny Morrigan. At twenty-three, he’s given up university and taken a dead-end job in a call centre to support his girlfriend and their new baby. It’s not the life that he had envisaged. But you should be careful of wishing things had gone differently.
The grass isn’t always greener on the Other Side.
Book one of the Folk’d Trilogy
Things haven’t gone to plan for Danny Morrigan. At twenty-three, he’s given up university and taken a dead-end job in a call centre to support his girlfriend and their new baby. It’s not the life that he had envisaged. But you should be careful of wishing things had gone differently.
The grass isn’t always greener on the Other Side.
Book one of the Folk’d Trilogy
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2012
8 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 2, 2016
Danny Morrigan does not have a perfect life. He and his girlfriend Ellie dropped out of university when they found out she was pregnant with the now eight month year old Luke. Now, he works a dead end call centre job, and his girlfriend's parents hate him for ruining their daughter's life. But then something happens to change his life and send him down a different track, and he realizes how much he had to lose. I don't think I've ever had a reading of a book quite so disrupted by the back cover before. It was a lot less coy about the plot summary than I was, revealing not just that Danny Morrigan's wife and child go missing, but spelling out exactly what's behind it. Consequently, the book's slow pacing is turned into less of a slowly unfolding mystery and more a toe-tapping impatience to get on with what the book reveals long before it's actually opened. Even beyond that, I think I would have had some pacing problems with the book, that there's just too much plot-heavy matter packed into the last few chapters. It's clearly stuff that's going to be addressed in the trilogy at large, but it also suggests how little is going to be revealed in the book at hand.
That said,there's a lot to like here too. Donaghy has the protagonist's voice--basically, working class Irish with a reasonably decent university education--down, and as much as the initial phases seem slow paced, Donaghy makes the most out of that pacing to really establish his characters and the lives Ellie and Danny have built together (which is absolutely necessary, given what happens). Even characters that seem like caricatures, like Danny's quasi-in-laws, are fleshed out enough that later movements feel earned. I'll admit, part of my interest in the book may be that I've recently spent time with a couple with an eight month old; Donaghy captures that sense of exhaustion mixed with pride and hope for the kid's potential that can come out of such a family. The fantasy portion of the book is a bit too much exposition without explanation (and using the protagonist to highlight this doesn't really make it go away) but again, I imagine that's something that book 2 will address. All in all, I liked the book; whatever issues I had with the pacing, the characters trumped it. (Though it would have been nice to give Ellie more to do.)
That said,there's a lot to like here too. Donaghy has the protagonist's voice--basically, working class Irish with a reasonably decent university education--down, and as much as the initial phases seem slow paced, Donaghy makes the most out of that pacing to really establish his characters and the lives Ellie and Danny have built together (which is absolutely necessary, given what happens). Even characters that seem like caricatures, like Danny's quasi-in-laws, are fleshed out enough that later movements feel earned. I'll admit, part of my interest in the book may be that I've recently spent time with a couple with an eight month old; Donaghy captures that sense of exhaustion mixed with pride and hope for the kid's potential that can come out of such a family. The fantasy portion of the book is a bit too much exposition without explanation (and using the protagonist to highlight this doesn't really make it go away) but again, I imagine that's something that book 2 will address. All in all, I liked the book; whatever issues I had with the pacing, the characters trumped it. (Though it would have been nice to give Ellie more to do.)
May 29, 2016
Folk'd by Laurence Donaghy
Folk'd is a story set in Belfast, and is written by a Belfast author. I think this is what makes it so good. As opposed to an author from anywhere else, Donaghy knows the dialect and all of the places, so none of it sounds forced. I was expecting it to be a bit childish and fanciful with it being a Fairy story but it is definitely not for children. There is quite a lot of bad language in it so definitely don't give it to your kids! They are also not the nice kind of Fairies.
I picked the book up in Belfast's Forbidden Planet, which by the way is much, much better than ours in Sheffield! Sheffield's Forbidden Planet just has Marvel and Dr Who. This one had much much more! No doubt helped by the fact the shop is easily double the size but nevertheless, much better. I nearly didn't buy it as I was concerned about having to get stuff home but figured I was in Belfast and this would be a great souvenir, especially given that it was a signed copy as well.
I am so glad I bought this book, I enjoyed the story immensely and it didn't take me long to get through it. Each of the characters had their own depth and background, making them interesting and also making you care about what happens to them. There is nothing worse than hating every character and not caring about what happens.
As with all Fairy stories there is the good guy, the bad guy, the knowledgable one and the girl. This however is not just any fairy story. This has some really unexpected twists, it has death, it has love and heartache, friendship and companionship.
It's also a trilogy, and yes, I will definitely be reading the other books!
Laurence Donaghy is without a doubt one of the best authors out of there for creating realistic characters and down to earth, relatable dialogue.
Awesome books, get them read. You don't have to like fantasy to like these.
Folk'd is a story set in Belfast, and is written by a Belfast author. I think this is what makes it so good. As opposed to an author from anywhere else, Donaghy knows the dialect and all of the places, so none of it sounds forced. I was expecting it to be a bit childish and fanciful with it being a Fairy story but it is definitely not for children. There is quite a lot of bad language in it so definitely don't give it to your kids! They are also not the nice kind of Fairies.
I picked the book up in Belfast's Forbidden Planet, which by the way is much, much better than ours in Sheffield! Sheffield's Forbidden Planet just has Marvel and Dr Who. This one had much much more! No doubt helped by the fact the shop is easily double the size but nevertheless, much better. I nearly didn't buy it as I was concerned about having to get stuff home but figured I was in Belfast and this would be a great souvenir, especially given that it was a signed copy as well.
I am so glad I bought this book, I enjoyed the story immensely and it didn't take me long to get through it. Each of the characters had their own depth and background, making them interesting and also making you care about what happens to them. There is nothing worse than hating every character and not caring about what happens.
As with all Fairy stories there is the good guy, the bad guy, the knowledgable one and the girl. This however is not just any fairy story. This has some really unexpected twists, it has death, it has love and heartache, friendship and companionship.
It's also a trilogy, and yes, I will definitely be reading the other books!
Laurence Donaghy is without a doubt one of the best authors out of there for creating realistic characters and down to earth, relatable dialogue.
Awesome books, get them read. You don't have to like fantasy to like these.
June 19, 2014
This is hands down the funniest novel I've ever read. If you like Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams this is for you. Laurence Donaghy is a fantastic observer of the human condition. His skill as a writer turns the everyday, the mundane, into situations that when read, cause to you to literally laugh out loud. At one line I almost had to suffocate myself with a pillow to stop myself from waking my wife I was laughing that hard.
I was attracted to this book because it was a fantasy novel, based in Belfast, that after reading the free chapter, I found funny. Remove any of these elements, it still would remain a fantastic book. It isn't a comedy though, its a tale of fantasy where funny things happen. Horror happens too, genuine moments of terror. Touching moments too, tugs on the old heart strings and a twist around the half way mark which genuinely made me go " NOOOOO" A rare book, one based in Belfast that has no mention of the troubles, which is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Fantastic use of language and speech, it feels authentic of Belfast without the clunky stereotypes of how we speak here. I bought the Kindle version and knew immediately how much I liked it that I went out and bought a signed copy from a local retailer. The cliff hanger ending had me literally checking my calendar to see when part two was available. You will not regret this purchase and like me will be waiting not so patiently for the 2nd installment
I was attracted to this book because it was a fantasy novel, based in Belfast, that after reading the free chapter, I found funny. Remove any of these elements, it still would remain a fantastic book. It isn't a comedy though, its a tale of fantasy where funny things happen. Horror happens too, genuine moments of terror. Touching moments too, tugs on the old heart strings and a twist around the half way mark which genuinely made me go " NOOOOO" A rare book, one based in Belfast that has no mention of the troubles, which is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Fantastic use of language and speech, it feels authentic of Belfast without the clunky stereotypes of how we speak here. I bought the Kindle version and knew immediately how much I liked it that I went out and bought a signed copy from a local retailer. The cliff hanger ending had me literally checking my calendar to see when part two was available. You will not regret this purchase and like me will be waiting not so patiently for the 2nd installment
February 16, 2013
I can't rate this book any higher than 5 stars, and that's a shame because I would if I could. This has to be one of the best books I've read in over ten years. The storyline is flawless, the characters thoroughly believable and the pace so fast it draws you in and makes this book one of those rarities - 'unputdownable'. There is violence, but it's not gratuitous, there is profanity but it's in context, there is humour, that makes you laugh out loud as you're reading and there is the Irish accent, spoken by the characters, that you slowly start to read in. I'm terrible at accents - people laugh - but I have developed perhaps the worlds best mind reading Irish accent in the world. Unfortunately when I run to family and friends to display this new found talent, vocalising the accent results in familiar ridicule. This book (and the sequel) is simply brilliant. Written in a style that tells a modern epic tale of heroes and dark villains from the realm of (SShhhh don't say the name)in a style that evokes an age gone by where the magic of story telling was whispered around campfires. If you want a book that draws you in, makes you laugh and wince in equal measure, makes you turn the page again and again until it's finished and magically develops your ability to mind read in a perfect irish accent - then this is it.
March 13, 2014
Folk'd if I know where to begin!
In Danny Morrigan, Donaghy has created a character that is charming and offensive in equal measure. One cannot help but empathise with him. Funny, sarcastic, warts and all, he is such a believable character in a make-believe world. Reinventing folklore, dragging mythology into the modern era, is a brilliantly fresh concept. One cannot fail to be impressed by such an imaginative and fresh novel.
Laurence Donaghy dances through genres as if suspended on air. There's magic in his prose, there's humour (Billy Connollysque) in his dialogue, there's wizardry in his fantasy, and there's a hard reality to his romance. There is also a painful truthfulness to his writing. At times, his uncanny ability to get inside this reader's mind verges on disturbing. It is as if he has somehow looked inside my mind, stolen my darkest thoughts and exposed them to the world. Such talent!
The uniqueness in Donaghy's style is that he can touch my heart with a single beautiful phrase. He can make me laugh, cry, cringe and prick my conscious, all in the space of a few bittersweet lines. What brilliant use of the English (Belfast style) language. Unashamedly brilliant!
Folk'd is a great read. It will make you appreciate all that you have!
And the best bit - the second book in the Folk'd trilogy is out April'14.
In Danny Morrigan, Donaghy has created a character that is charming and offensive in equal measure. One cannot help but empathise with him. Funny, sarcastic, warts and all, he is such a believable character in a make-believe world. Reinventing folklore, dragging mythology into the modern era, is a brilliantly fresh concept. One cannot fail to be impressed by such an imaginative and fresh novel.
Laurence Donaghy dances through genres as if suspended on air. There's magic in his prose, there's humour (Billy Connollysque) in his dialogue, there's wizardry in his fantasy, and there's a hard reality to his romance. There is also a painful truthfulness to his writing. At times, his uncanny ability to get inside this reader's mind verges on disturbing. It is as if he has somehow looked inside my mind, stolen my darkest thoughts and exposed them to the world. Such talent!
The uniqueness in Donaghy's style is that he can touch my heart with a single beautiful phrase. He can make me laugh, cry, cringe and prick my conscious, all in the space of a few bittersweet lines. What brilliant use of the English (Belfast style) language. Unashamedly brilliant!
Folk'd is a great read. It will make you appreciate all that you have!
And the best bit - the second book in the Folk'd trilogy is out April'14.
June 15, 2014
If I'm honest, I picked this e-book up mainly due its setting: my home town of Belfast, Northern Ireland, helped by a few good reviews and an intriguing subject matter.
Now I've read it, however, I have to say: I wasn't all that blown away: I found it hard to empathize with the main character as (to me), he was just not all that pleasant and too free with profanities for my taste: if this was a movie, it would be an 18 due to the language.
I also found it to follow the old 'be careful what you wish for' plot line of many a other story, with Danny's family (girlfriend and baby son) disappearing after a particularly bad way at work, as if they had never existed at all ...
While not the worst book that I've ever read, I'm also not too sure if I'll be picking up the next 2 parts of the story.
Now I've read it, however, I have to say: I wasn't all that blown away: I found it hard to empathize with the main character as (to me), he was just not all that pleasant and too free with profanities for my taste: if this was a movie, it would be an 18 due to the language.
I also found it to follow the old 'be careful what you wish for' plot line of many a other story, with Danny's family (girlfriend and baby son) disappearing after a particularly bad way at work, as if they had never existed at all ...
While not the worst book that I've ever read, I'm also not too sure if I'll be picking up the next 2 parts of the story.
September 27, 2019
It was great to read an SFF novel set in Belfast and so clearly written by a guy who grew up there, and to have fantasy characters who are poor and have a young baby. (A bit more realistic than all the books where nobody ever has to worry about money...) I also liked some of the magic/mythology and some of the characterisation.
One downside is that the plot really dragged in places, especially later on in the book. The other disappointment was the vanishing of the wife and baby as a plot device. There are already too many books and movies where the plotline is that the male main character is rescuing or avenging his wife. Women are not tools for mens' narratives and personal growth.
Overall I found it entertaining and I did get through it, but I doubt I will read the sequels.
One downside is that the plot really dragged in places, especially later on in the book. The other disappointment was the vanishing of the wife and baby as a plot device. There are already too many books and movies where the plotline is that the male main character is rescuing or avenging his wife. Women are not tools for mens' narratives and personal growth.
Overall I found it entertaining and I did get through it, but I doubt I will read the sequels.
July 23, 2015
This is a lively, cheeky, clever and imaginative book. Donaghy's writing is reminiscent of John Grisham's at times, and his description of 'the secretary' was so brilliant that it made me squirm in my seat! Whilst it's not the kind of book I would normally read, I'm glad that I did. Donaghy has taken ancient Irish myths and worked them into a modern setting - and it works really well. Sprinkled with Belfast wit and heart-warming moments, this is a page-turner I can recommend. I thought there was a little too much swearing at times, but (for the most part) that didn't get in the way of a story brilliantly told.
January 14, 2013
I actually really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure if i would but after hearing about it i thought i'd give it a go. So much so that now i'm really looking forward to getting the next one so i can continue on this journey with Danny to see if he can sort out his life.
It was an easy read, but i would say there is a lot of swearing so if your not keen on that you might be a bit put off! It didn't bother me much though as i felt that it was realistic to the characters being portrayed in the story. Looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
It was an easy read, but i would say there is a lot of swearing so if your not keen on that you might be a bit put off! It didn't bother me much though as i felt that it was realistic to the characters being portrayed in the story. Looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
February 5, 2019
Folk'd is set in Belfast, Ireland; a land full of myth and legend. Danny, who works at a call center, wishes he could have a better life, a better job, a better family, a better car. He learns too late, though, to be careful what he wishes for.
The creepy fairies, and dark tone of the book make it difficult to predict. It is surprising, and interesting, and spooky. And it ended on a terribly suspenseful cliff hanger. I also appreciated the dark sarcasm Danny has about the bad situations he is caught up in.
The creepy fairies, and dark tone of the book make it difficult to predict. It is surprising, and interesting, and spooky. And it ended on a terribly suspenseful cliff hanger. I also appreciated the dark sarcasm Danny has about the bad situations he is caught up in.
June 27, 2020
This book was a surprise find in a shop, not even sure what drew me in - other than i live in Northern Ireland too.
I must say it was a breath of fresh air. It was hilarious as it spoke my language and it made my type of jokes - loved it.
Apart from some parts moving a tad slow, it was a great read. I sniggered so much, and kept wondering if a non-native can get the same joy out of it at all.
The writing is effortless, the descriptions of daily ongoings are colourfully detailed. Even at the slow parts the narrative kept me going.
Looking forward to continuing the story.
I must say it was a breath of fresh air. It was hilarious as it spoke my language and it made my type of jokes - loved it.
Apart from some parts moving a tad slow, it was a great read. I sniggered so much, and kept wondering if a non-native can get the same joy out of it at all.
The writing is effortless, the descriptions of daily ongoings are colourfully detailed. Even at the slow parts the narrative kept me going.
Looking forward to continuing the story.
September 17, 2014
Am addicted to this book and only started it this morning. I have been in a bit of a book slump lately having only read one book since December. Folk'd brought back my love for the written word. The only other local writer that I follow is Wayne Simmons now am also Laurence donaghy's fan. Having bought the book at Comic-Con and getting it signed and a brief overview view off what the book was about by the author makes it just that little bit more special I can't wait to get the second book.
July 24, 2014
The story starts out slow, painting Danny's mundane life - living day to day, horrible job, trying to make ends meet after his partners unplanned pregnancy. A whispered what if in the back of his mind and all he'll breaks loose... Slowly. Lol
Once you get half way through the book, your already in love with this arshole and can't stop reading. Totally worth it. I can hardly wait to start the next book... But I must sleep!
Once you get half way through the book, your already in love with this arshole and can't stop reading. Totally worth it. I can hardly wait to start the next book... But I must sleep!
July 5, 2017
If you like myths and legends you will probably like this...
if you don't like swearing this book is probably not for you. The story of a young family takes a few twists and turns. Along the way we meet characters from Irish myths and legends. We learn a little about Danny's family history. If you expect this story to be resolved in this book, it isn't, there is a final twist that makes you eager to read books two and three of this trilogy.
if you don't like swearing this book is probably not for you. The story of a young family takes a few twists and turns. Along the way we meet characters from Irish myths and legends. We learn a little about Danny's family history. If you expect this story to be resolved in this book, it isn't, there is a final twist that makes you eager to read books two and three of this trilogy.
March 4, 2013
I laughed out loud, just reading about the character taking out the trash. I started highlight funny and/or cool lines, then stopped because I'd have just highlighted the whole thing. Love the author's voice, look forward to the next book.
July 25, 2013
The first like... 80% of this book is good but then there isn't an ending. What little bit of an ending there was made me go "are you folkin' kidding me?" (har). At least the writer's style was readable without cringing, unlike some of the other authors of free kindle books.
September 7, 2014
This was a good start to a trilogy, well written and a good plot. Enjoyed characters.
October 1, 2014
Very funny and easy to read. Found it hard to set it down. Cant wait to get stuck into the second one
September 1, 2015
really enjoyed this modern adult fairytale. A cross between Troubled Souls, and dystopic Irish fairy tails. There is a nice slow boil, with characters with humour and a strong plot.
August 11, 2015
Interesting, a book based in Belfast with a man who is trying very hard to make do, failing himself and his family and when he digs out a space in his garden his life changes forever.
January 2, 2016
Great book mixing the modern times with celtic myth. Loved it!
April 18, 2020
The ending is so bad. A complete none ending. Most be to force you to buy the next book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews