Rickshaw

by David McGrath

Having spiraled into self-destruction, Irish finds himself homeless on the streets of London. In a last-ditch effort to sort something out, he rents a rickshaw, propelling him into a frantic sub-culture of criminals, misfits and lost souls.

Rickshaw is a dangerous bedlam of close calls and near misses and its passengers are the drunken, beaten down and stranded. To work rickshaw, Irish must take a lesson in stamina and shift up through his emotional gears but no matter how hard he pedals, always hot on his heels, is his past. Hilarious, poignant and razor sharp, this debut novel captures the underbelly of London’s West End through a stunningly, gimlet eye and electrifying energy.

266 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2015

About the author

David McGrath won the Bare Fiction Prize 2014 with his short story, Ger Sheen & the Satanists, a story he headlined with at JP O’Malley’s Emerging Irish Writers event at the London Irish Centre in April 2015. He has won the Peirene Press Story Competition, placed in the Words with Jam Short Story Competition and was highly commended in the Manchester Fiction Prize 2013. He has been published in Litro, Open Pen and several anthologies. He has won a StorySLAM at the Royal Festival Hall, performed at London LitCrawl, Wilderness Festival, Open Pen Live, Rattle Tales, Story Sessions & several Liars’ League events for which he won MVP in 2013. Rickshaw is his debut novel.

Reviews

[MLD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The premise is fresh and intriguing and it gives an insight into a world within London (where I reside) which I've never known or thought much about! Rickshaw is the story of an Irishman who has run away to London from the things at home which haunt him. Once there he falls into the same habits and vice that plagued him at home in the seedy streets of London's Soho district only this time his adventures lead him to become a rickshaw driver.

The world and characters of this novel are so clearly and charmingly drawn it could have been Dickens writing about London in the 21st century. I have lived in London for eight years and shamefully have never ridden a rickshaw or thought much of the plight of those who drive them. This novel (which I understand is the writer's debut) is funny, warm, dark and engaging and you just really want Joe, our protagonist, to succeed and overcome the things that plague him. Have given this four stars to encourage the author to get on with his next one - I'm sure it will be ace!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a giveaway. I thought it was a nice and intriguing read with great character buildup and character development. Irish is the central character whom the story follows. This character replaced one addiction with another all out of guilt from his last interaction with his deceased father. It reads very well, although some transitions between flashbacks and current events weren't clear.

I would recommend this book to a majority of my friends. Look forward to other books from David McGrath.

[Andrea Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as a goodreads first reads.

this book tells the story of Irish, an alcoholic who initially rents a rickshaw to earn money for booze. along the way he gives up and swaps this addiction for addiction to the pain he gets driving his rickshaw. we also get to meet his friend in the underclass and see how they are treated by everyone else.

I was surprised by this book as I was expecting it to be funny but instead it was more of a social commentary

[Katie McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Each chapter brings a new and exciting character or event, with humour running through the whole book.
McGrath offers a "fly on the wall" insight into the London that most of us don't see or are too busy to notice. This book takes the seemingly ordinary and transforms it into an exciting advendure.

[Matt Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not dissimilar to Roddy Doyle in places, we follow the adventures of a young Irishman looking for a focus newly arrived in the big city. What follows are the adventures of a rickshaw driver as he learns the trade and eventually begins to be overtaken by it. By turns funny, sad and in places a little surreal, it's worth a read.

[Edel · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGrath writes with punch and confidence, creating a well paced, engaging story. Experience London’s underbelly from the safety of your armchair as Rickshaw accelerates from chapter to chapter picking up a memorable cast of rogues.

[Chloe Macphail · Rating 2 out of 5]

the first few chapters i loved ,the style of writing flowed nicely. however the plot became a bit repetitive. i just felt there needed to be a bit of action to spice the book up e.g. the struggles of irishes health as he just cycles with no prior training his muscles ect.

[Joanne Keilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable - heartbreaking and hilarious! It's an emotional roller coaster (in a good way)

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, funny, affecting and brilliant. Builds a tangible, dirty, vital London and a compelling story without compromising on either. Highly recommended.

[Mereka Elsworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this as part of the goodness give away. A superb read,humorous witty and so many twists and turns of emotions. Beautifully written. Highly recommended

[James Hooton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, great story-telling.

I read this with ease ; aided by the author's skill and style. It's funny and so true. Imagined the incidents - or rather lived-in them.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly easy read but I did find myself getting confused in places as to what was happening and whereabouts in the timeline we were. Fairly harmless

[Jon Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pedal on.

Non-stop encounter with alcoholic/recovering alcoholic rickshaw rider. Fast paced but filled with poignancy in the often frightening London Rickshaw world.