At Swim-Two-Birds

Name: At Swim-Two-Birds
Brand: Blackstone Audiobooks
Availability: InStock
Author: Flann O’Brien
ISBN: 9781094065229

Author: Flann O’Brien

Narrator: Alan Smyth

Unabridged: 10 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Published: 11/12/2019

Categories: Fiction, Satire

Synopsis

A wildly comic send-up of Irish literature and culture, At Swim-Two-Birds is the story of a young, lazy, and frequently drunk Irish college student who lives with his curmudgeonly uncle in Dublin. When not in bed (where he seems to spend most of his time) or reading, he is composing a mischief-filled novel about Dermot Trellis, a second-rate author whose characters ultimately rebel against him and seek vengeance. From drugging him as he sleeps to dropping the ceiling on his head, these figures of Irish myth make Trellis pay dearly for his bad writing. Hilariously funny and inventive, At Swim-Two-Birds has influenced generations of writers, opening up new possibilities for what can be done in fiction. It is a true masterpiece of Irish literature.

About Flann O’Brien

Flann O’Brien (1911–1966), whose real name was Brian O’Nolan, also wrote under the pen name of Myles na Gopaleen. A resident of Dublin, he graduated from University College after a brilliant career as a student (editing a magazine called Blather) and joined the Civil Service, in which he eventually attained a senior position. His novels include The Third Policeman, The Hard Life, and The Poor Mouth. Also available are three volumes of his newspaper columns: The Best of Myles, Further Cuttings from Cruiskeen Lawn, and At War.

About Alan Smyth

Alan Smyth, an audiobook narrator, has worked as a professional actor for more than fifteen years. He has toured extensively in Ireland and the United States and has worked with such companies as the BBC, Paramount Pictures, and Showtime Productions.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Vit

Birds fly… Some birds also swim… Once upon a time an ingenious student of literature aspired to write a book… Having placed in my mouth sufficient bread for three minutes’ chewing, I withdrew my powers of sensual perception and retired into the privacy of my mind, my eyes and face assuming a vacant an......more

Goodreads review by Riku

Did not think that anything more zany than the 'Third Policeman' was possible (people who like 'Lost' should check the book out, by the way)... On my first read of this book (in 2009) I was too entranced with the main plot device of the characters plotting against the author, etc and probably overlo......more

Goodreads review by Paul

This is a seriously lovely inch perfect parabola of joy which everyone ought to at least try. Go on! You know you want to. All right, you didn't know you wanted to. But i know you better than that! Would I lie? How long have we known each other now? Well then, have I ever recommended a duff book? Na......more

Quotes

“A book in a thousand.” Graham Greene, New York Times bestselling author

“That’s a real writer, with the true comic spirit. A really funny book.” James Joyce

“If I were a cultural dictator in England, I would make At Swim-Two-Birds compulsory reading in all universities.” Philip Toynbee, author of Friends Apart

“Both a comedy and a fantasy of such staggering originality that it baffles description and very nearly beggars our sense of delight.” Chicago Tribune