Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha: 220-end

I have now finished reading Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and I have really enjoyed reading this novel. While I enjoyed reading this book, looking at it as a whole, it is truly a sad story. Throughout the course of the novel, I, as a reader, have really noticed the change (or coming of age) in Paddy. In the beginning of the novel the book focuses on Paddy and his friends. The book tends to jump all over the place with different stories and events in Paddy's life and, for the most part, there is no rhyme or reason for the stories. As a reader, it seems like there is no plot in the novel, at the start of the book. However, as the novel continues and the fights between Paddy's parents escalate, Paddy begins to mature. As a result, the book becomes more focused and "mature" and flows a lot better than it did in the beginning. The language in the novel even becomes more structured, complex, and "grown up." With the fights escalating between Ma and Da, Paddy becomes more aware of his family life and, like any child, wants to help the situation get better because he does love both of his parents. This is a very sad fact because Paddy is ultimately unable to help his parents.

At the end of the novel, after Paddy's parents have split up and Da has moved out of the house and out of the family's picture, Paddy takes on the role of "man of the house." Although the readers are not shown this, we are told this simple but realistic fact. When Da comes back at the end of the novel, I could see the distance between Paddy and his father. I feel that this distance came from Paddy's coming of age, growing up, and his father's leaving (not just one but all combined).

Although I could comment a lot more on this novel, I just want to state that I really enjoyed reading it. Though similar in structure to Ceremony I enjoyed and understood this novel a lot more and I enjoyed reading it. It was not nearly as painful and it was a great read! I would recommend this book to someone any day!