MetaChat - Who's Read At Swim-Two-Birds, by Flann O'brien?

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06 January 2010

Who's Read At Swim-Two-Birds, by Flann O'brien? →[More:]

I've dedicated myself to reading Donald Barthelme's Creative Writing Syllabus this year, and this novel is the first on the list. Anyone else read it?

For my money, it's a fantastic novel. Definitely one that demands patience, but absolutely hilarious in spots and with a great cast of characters (who beget characters) ((who beget characters)).

post by: Lipstick Thespian at: 14:00 | 4 comments

I've tried it a couple of times and given up, does that count? Plus the title gets stuck in my head like a pop song, so there's that.

posted by mygothlaundry 06 January | 15:33

Mygoth - you have to commit to it and just accept its tone throughout. The last part is the best part. It's really one of the funniest books I've ever read.

And to think - it was written in 1939!!!

posted by Lipstick Thespian 06 January | 15:45

LT I couldn't even get through the wiki description. I'd need a scorecard to read that. You have far more brain cells than I do.

posted by Kangaroo 06 January | 18:36

I've read it: I loved parts of it but as a whole I found it hard going. My impression of O'Brien, which could well be mistaken, as I've only read this & 'The Third Policeman,' is of his humour as a thinnish layer over some really deep & bleak unhappiness. For much of the book I found myself flinching from the (perceived) underlying misery rather than enjoying the fun of it. You should definitely seek out 'The Third Policeman'...

posted by misteraitch 07 January | 03:40

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