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Start giftingAt Swim-Two-Birds
Narrator
Alan Smyth
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Length
10 hours 20 minutes
Language
English
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.
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.
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.
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Reviews
“That’s a real writer, with the true comic spirit. A really funny book.”
“If I were a cultural dictator in England, I would make At Swim-Two-Birds compulsory reading in all universities.”
“Both a comedy and a fantasy of such staggering originality that it baffles description and very nearly beggars our sense of delight.”
“A book in a thousand.”
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