James T. Farrell: Studs Lonigan: A Trilogy (LOA #148) : Young Lonigan / The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan / Judgment Day

from RoseCityReader

I understand readers who complain about the book seeming dated. The slang the characters use, their clothes, even some of their concerns, are anachronisms now. But it strikes me as a spot-on description of the rough world of second generation, Irish Catholic toughs in Chicago in the 1920s. Defini...

from jmcdbooks

Rated: C Farrell writes a quasi-Joycian style epic trilogy covering the life and thinking of a Irish-Catholic-wantabe living on the Southside of Chicago from a teenager during pre-WWI until his early death during the depression. Best line: "Misery loves company, but what the hell good does compan...

from DinadansFriend

This is a novel originally designated as a contemporary best seller that has become a classic. It's a fine novel and one of the best explorations of a not-very bright mind that exists in world literature. Modern Americans should read this book. The Modern Democrats will want to be able to help St...

from NoLongerAtEase

Certainly worthy of its place in the canon of "classic American fiction", Farrell's first and greatest work is a stark depiction of life and death among Chicago's South-side Irish. The trilogy is often pegged as an example of "naturalism" or "realism" ala Dresier. It is also typically taken to ad...