Not Just For Christmas

by Roddy Doyle

Danny Murphy is set to reunite with his brother, Jimmy, after two decades apart. As he journeys to their meeting, Danny reflects on their shared past, filled with both joyous and contentious moments, culminating in a heated argument that led to their estrangement. The question will their reunion spark another fight, or will they rekindle their brotherly bond? Danny is uncertain.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland, Irish Literature, Audiobook

Paperback

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

Roddy Doyle (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Dúill) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993.

Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.

Reviews

[Elaine Kirwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bhí an scéal seo saghas áit, agus níor thaitin an scéal liom leis an bhfírinne a rá. Ach bhí an Gaeilge deas leis an gceart a dhéanamh.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Roddy Doyle wrote a shopping list I would probably be happy to read it.

[Sarah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cad é an Ghaeilge ar 'stan'?

[Ian Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Not Just for Christmas’ is a novella written by Roddy Doyle for the Open Door education series of books. As a ninety page written to order story by rights it should be rubbish but unfortunately it is absolutely fantastic.

Written as a piece of nostalgia the story concerns Danny Murphy going to meet his brother, Jimmy, after an estrangement lasting over twenty years. Despite the short form of the book the childhood fights, teenage adventures and the big row that tore them apart are relived by the reader. By the time the meeting comes to its conclusion the reader has developed an emotional attachment to the Murphy brothers that most writers could hope to develop with a novel spanning a thousand pages.

Roddy Doyle’s writing captures the real emotions of other people’s lives and the warmth brings us in to enjoy them as if they were old friends or members of our own families. A fantastic piece of writing very much in the mould of ‘Paddy Clarke, Ha, Ha, Ha,’ and ‘The Woman Who Walked into Doors’ both of which preceded it.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little novella, part of the Open Door Series, a series of short novels written by good Irish writers for adults with low literacy skills. My library clearly hasn't understood this and they have this book shelved in Junior Fiction. Junior Fiction it isn't. Two estranged brother, Danny and Jimmy, meet up after more than 20 years with no contact. They naturally meet at the pub and consume more pints than is good for them. They look back at their family, neighbours and why they haven't had any contact as adults. Some of the other titles in the series sound very interesting too, will have to search them out.

[Eleanor Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok

[Collezionedistorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un brevissimo racconto, ambientato nella Dublino tanto cara all'autore e caratterizzato dalla sua peculiare ironia. Jim e Danny sono fratelli che non si vedono da una ventina di anni, ma nell'infanzia e nell'adolescenza sono stati inseparabili. Su iniziativa di Jim si danno appuntamento nel significativo pub della loro gioventù e qui, tra un ricordo e l'altro, riscoprono un legame fatto di rivalità e sarcasmo che non è andato perduto col tempo ed il silenzio.
Una piacevole riflessione sui rapporti fraterni, forse un po' troppo corta per rimanere impressa. Mi ha fatto sorgere il dubbio che Jim e Danny siano personaggi tratti da altri romanzi di Doyle, ma per ora non ho trovato conferma al mio sospetto!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a copy signed by Doyle to a friend in a used bookstore in Salt Lake City. (Go figure.) This is a slim volume in a series of books designed for adults new to reading. It is a subtle, frank, and affectionate account of a reunion of two brothers. What a nice discovery!

[Ann Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Roddy Doyle's books that I've read. It appeals to me because I grew-up with a sibling a year older and Danny's memories caused me to take a second look at some of mine. This short book inspires me to read more of Doyle's work.

[Clarissa Anjani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the book's content but would highly recommend for learning German.

[Elisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5 ⭐

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delizioso racconto della buonanotte

[J Rudden · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Póit (2009)

[Noël Dierickx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een aangename ontdekking.

[Luna Wetzels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi kortverhaaltje over twee verloren broers.

[E R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tá an scéal measartha maith ach tá sé fíor mhaith má tá tú ag foghlaim Gaeilge. Tá sé greannmhar in áiteanna.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un racconto che ti spacca il cuore in due, senza una sillaba di sentimentalismo. E niente, Roddy Doyle è un genio.

[Janie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one novella of a series project designed as material for encouraging adult literacy in Ireland. The project has commissioned works from several popular UK authors of adult fiction. What I love most about this is the idea ([late] literacy is close to my heart) and the solid execution (accessible + meaningful = literary). What I love second-most is enjoying the dialect differences (vis-a-vis ASE). I almost never read pop Brit lit, so for me enjoying the idiom in this medium is fun in a novel way.

I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the resolution, and I didn't like that I didn't like it.

[Nilo Di Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

La genialità di Roddy Doyle non ha limiti. La sua semplicità è pari alla sua grandezza. In poche pagine il sunto della vita di molti di noi. Tutti quelli che per orgoglio o testardaggine rinnegano amicizie, fratelli e sorelle o amori.
Quell attimo in cui capiamo quanta stupidità circonda le nostre vite e i nostri pensieri. L'attimo in cui si ha la paura di perdere qualcosa di caro e di voler tornare indietro, l'attimo in cui dissapori e ricordi brutti vengono superati. Il presente è unico e irripetibile. Di passato spesso si muore. Vivere il presente significa avere un futuro. 75 pagine e tante riflessioni da fare.

[Hermioneginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy ha solo un anno più di suo fratello Danny, e tutti - loro compresi - si hanno sempre considerati come gemelli. Ma ora non si vedono da più di vent'anni, e quando si incontrano nel pub dove presero la prima sbronza, emergono le rivalità. Saranno capaci di andare oltre?

Un libricino brevissimo, ma significativo. Quante volte per incomprensioni, orgoglio, mancanza di voglia e tempo, lasciamo andare persone importanti?

[Katy Brandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than his other one in this series. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. Doyle is pretty consistently good, even though I've been disappointed in his latest "Henry" addition.

[A. Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the series of short works by prominent writers, this is more sophisticated than Mad Weekend.

[Siobhan O' Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good read Roddy Doyle is a great writer, this is a short story about 2 brothers and tells a log story in few words. good read

[Le Paginestrappate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lettura svelta per un tragitto sui mezzi pubblici. Inconsistente.
http://lepaginestrappate.wordpress.co...

[Mia Papierliebling · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://miaspapierlieblinge.jimdo.com/...

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

A great book for adult learners of Irish (or who have become rusty) but fair warning the ending isn't great

[Peter P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good things come in small packages and this is a gem, by Roddy Doyle. Sad and funny, beautifully simple and deeply poignant. If you're from Dublin....if you've a brother....ah, sure read it anyway.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really good read ... Easy short book ...