At Swim-Two-Birds (Dalkey Archive Essentials)

A great book! Unfortunately, there are numerous transcription errors in the Kindle version.

It was alright, people made it out in these reviews to be such a great piece of literature and it is on many lists as one of the best books of the 20th century. If you like meta fiction, its great. However, it is very hard to follow and it's not that humorous in my opinion. I fell asleep quite a few times after reading only a few pages. I was about to give up reading it, but followed through, it was the longest 200 pages I read in a while.

To read this masterwork by O'Brian is to take a plunge into the headwaters of two joining rivers -- Language and Purpose -- and be carried away in their swift crosscurrent. Don't be concerned if the words start to swirl and their Meaning turns to froth. Trust the flow. It will circle back and reward you with ever deepening and broadening insights into where you were previously and ultimately where we are all going.

On reflection a satire of the time. When reading I found it confusing and bizarre

Absolute masterpiece, I read it every couple of years. Clever as Waugh, funny as Wodehouse and always enthralling.PS: I am adding an edit here because I just saw a couple of low star reviews from people that had trouble understanding the writing; bless them but he is talking to the butcher not the block.

This book is often compared to G.V. Desani's All About H. Hatterr. Unlike Hatterr, however, this book is rather dark and grim, kind-of a prequel to Catcher in the Rye insofar as it follows the life and thoughts of a 18-22 year old young man as he struggles to find himself. The organization of the text is very interesting and the concepts of multiple leads and conclusions is thought-provoking.

A hugely readable and entertaining romp; funny, beautifully crafted Irish writing. This was a re-read after many years, and just as much a pleasure in incipient dotage as it was in the distant days of youth. A must read.

Difficult to review as I understood very little of the language. It was only by reading a synopsis of the novel that i was able to follow the content.

Brian Nolan is a legendary figure amongst Irish writers and this book is a once in a lifetime masterpiece. In essence it is a classic surrealistic novel, laced throughout with fable, myth and hidden meanings, farce, fantasy and satire. The effect on the reader is mesmerising as he uses layer after lyrical layer of the English language to evoke bouts of laughter while appreciating that beneath the surface is a serious critique of repressive Irish society of the late 1930’s. I believe that work is best approached by the reader primarily for the sheer enjoyment of the language. Additionally, though not necessary for the enjoyment, it can be approached studiously, ferreting out the richness of the references and allusions in much the same way as the reader might approach Joyce’s Ulysses. Whatever approach is taken, it is no coincidence that this work is included in the Guardian’s list of 100 best novels ever written. An innovative masterpiece which I’m sorry that I had not read until now. Read it with an open mind and once you get into its stride, be prepared to chuckle your way to the end, savouring each sentence along the way.

A hodgepodge of brilliant writing which ultimately vomits itself onto Joyce's shoes.Enjoyable, if the reader wants a peculiar and inspired rigmarole.Off-putting, if the reader wants a narrative that doesn't lose the plot.Best summarized as meta-fiction - a farrago of whimsy, a mingle-mangle of wryness.Perhaps there's one too many scatty confabs.Recommended to surrealists, folklorists, woolgatherers, oddballs, and those into all things topsy-turvy.

At Swim Two Birds is a kaleidoscope of a book. Hard to describe, mesmerizing, truly brilliant at times.It's also very hard going. Sometimes this in itself is the joke, as it reflects traditional Irish story types. But even allowing for that, many parts felt over-long and a little too chaotic. A firm editor might have cut a third of the book and improved the final result.That said, it's unique and truly very enjoyable in many sections. It's definitely a book that will stick with me, I'm glad to have read it.

Many years ago I read some short articles/letters by this author in some of his guises. Found him quite amusing. Don't know if age has soured me or if I have matured, but although the author is educated to a standard higher than mine, I just could not be bothered finishing this pretentious drivil. I will stick to my thrillers/procedurals in the future for entertainment

Not funny, but tedious in the extreme. No insights, certainly rather surreal, but to what end? It was chosen for a book club, and for the first time ever I couldn't be bothered. I persevered for a time, loathed every wasted minute. And I normally like Irish authored novels. Pretentious, self-regarding as the main character. Cannot understand why some people think it's wonderful.