Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
by Jenners • 08/07/2012 • 5 Stars, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, M Authors, S Titles • 29 Comments
Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
Genre: Fiction, ContemporaryWhere I Got It: Downloaded it from Audible
Why I Read It: It was an impulse download and I’m soooo glad I listened to my impulse
My Rating: 5 stars
Set at Seabrooke College (a Catholic boarding school in Dublin), Skippy Dies revolves around the death of Daniel “Skippy” Juster. It isn’t a murder mystery per se (after all, Skippy dies, on the floor of a donut shop, in the first few pages of the book.) Yet it is a mystery. Just exactly WHY does Skippy die?
The first part of the book takes place before Skippy’s death and introduces us to Skippy and his life at Seabrooke, where Skippy is one of a group of boarders. As the story develops, we get to know life at Seabrooke and get glimpses into the realities of Skippy’s life. (The boy is bearing many burdens that he keeps well hidden.) Then, just as we begin to grasp things, Skippy dies and aftermath of his death changes the lives of everyone around him—forcing them to look deep within to find their role in his death and the answers they need to keep on living.
My Thoughts
This book was brilliant! It was my only 5 star read from 2011, and I just can’t describe to you why this book just rocked my world. However, I will do my best to give you sense of why this book works on so many levels.
Perhaps the reason the book came together for me is that the author manages to combine tragedy and comedy in a way that has you moving from snorts of laughter (just try not to laugh when cynical Dennis explains the “real” meaning of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken or Mario discusses his lucky condom) to tears of anguish (Ruprecht’s reaction to Skippy’s death just broke my heart in a million pieces). To me, Murray managed to get the world of the 14-year-old boy spot-on—with its sense of possibility and innocence mixed with the first dawnings of harsh reality and heartbreak. The boys at Seabrooke College will tug at your heartstrings while also making you turn away in disgust.
Balancing out the life of the boys is the experiences of their teacher, Howard Fallon (who was once a Seabrooke boy himself). In some ways, Howard represents the future of the boys we’re coming to know—the harshness of the “real” world where you might get the girl but then grow tired of her annoying habits and the sheer dreariness of living day after day with the same person. Add in a past you cannot seem to shake and the horror of ruthless, ambitious men like The Automator, and you wonder if perhaps Skippy is the lucky one to depart life so early.
This book captured what it feels like to be on the cusp of the “real” world while also reminding us of what the real world feels like when you’ve been in it for a while. The charm of the boys and their exploits captured my imagination and heart. Like Ruprecht, I mourned for Skippy. In many ways, Skippy represents the death of innocence. As the aftermath of his death leaves the main characters grasping for meaning and a way out of the darkness that his death reveals, I found myself journeying with them.
I’m struggling to capture for you what the book is like as it is often a big sprawling mess of a thing that may require some time to fall into its rhythms. When I first started it, I was unsure about it … if I was “getting” it. But Murray does a brilliant job of weaving a rich and multi-colored tapestry of a story. At first, all the threads feels disconnected and loose, but as the story develops, it comes together in a tightly woven, connected whole and it is breath-taking.
About the Narration
I listened to this book on audio and I’m so glad I did as I’m convinced that the brilliance of the narration is what put this over the top for me. This was the first time I listened to an audiobook that was narrated by multiple readers. (There is a primary narrator who “reads” the book and then different voices for each of the primary characters.) It was like listening to a play in many ways. By having a wide range of Irish actors and actresses play the various roles, the book came alive for me in a way that an audiobook hasn’t quite done before. The voice for The Automator was dead-on, and I came to love Dennis and Ruprecht’s voices as well. The sultry voice of Ms. McIntyre (the teacher who captures Howard’s imagination) was filled with all kinds of flirty knowingness that made you see exactly why he was enchanted by her. Whoever cast the book was a genius. For a long listen (20+ hours), I think it might have gotten to be too much if it was just one reader. Yet I found myself mesmerized by the book. I couldn’t wait to get back to it. This is one book where I would definitely recommend the audio experience if you can get it. It elevated a brilliant novel into something more special.
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I have this one on my wish list. I’ll have to look for the audio.
Definitely try for the audio. It is long but oh so worth it.
What kind of books do you read? would you wanna do a bookswap?
I read all kinds of books but usually limit my swapping to Paperback Swap.
Oh I got an email with an offer for two free audible books- sounds like this could be perfect
I love Audible and use them for almost all my audiobooks (our library has a poor selection). That offer would be a great way to dip your toes into the world of audiobooks.
I finally started reading this book yesterday. I was immediately hooked. Can’t believe I stopped to write this comment! Thanks!
Sounds like it was a 6* book for you! Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Great…another book I have to add to my “Books to read that I will never get to read because I cant finish one book a year” list.
Have you read Gone Girl???
Ooh, I’m all about audiobooks recently, and I’m very impressed by your 5-star rating! I’ll be looking for this one at the library.
I’ve had this one forever and have been meaning to get to it. That “on the cusp” thing is so appealing to me. I felt the same way about Hummingbirds which I finished a little while ago.
Based on your book summary of December, it took a while but I ordered Skippy Dies for my Kindle, but haven’t started it yet. Now I’m thinking I should get the audio book (which is not something I do). Wow!
I have a copy of this that my daughter read last summer and I haven’t gotten to yet. Now I’ll have to get to it.
I came over hearing worried that I was about to hear some bad news about Skippy the bush kangaroo (sighs huge sigh of relief).
Seriously though, great post, your love of this book shines through and you don’t get any better a recommendation than this.
I want this just so I can ask my 14 year old if the author captured his inner life! So, how long does a 20+ hour audio book take? I mean, obviously, it takes 20+ hours….but in human terms….how long? I used to love to listen to the old radio mysteries….so I am sure I would love this too….just not sure about the actual time commitment in everyday life….
Wow! I can really feel your enthusiasm for this audio book. I does sound like a book I’d also relish.
I’ve requested this book, but I’m like #55 million of 54million persons to get it.
I loved this book too! On paper the premise sounds fairly average, but the writing is so good. I’m pleased the audio is as good as the print version.
I’ve only read a few reviews of this but they all seem to say the same thing – this book is brilliant. I’ve added it to my wish list.
Ack! I’ve been wanting to read this forever, but longer books are only good for me in audio form. And my library doesn’t have it. But for the 10th time, I’m going back and looking one more time…
Sounds really good – and this edition with the multiple readers especially so.
I don’t have an MP3 player, so I haven’t listened to any audio books for years (since books-on-tape in the cassette player in the car – that’s how many years). I don’t know if I’d use one a month so I’m not sure about Audible….hmmm…must give this some thought.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Not my usual fare, but the sad/funny aspect makes for good reading and thinking. 14 is that age where life changes and we start to grow up. Even though it was hard for you to describe how this book made you feel, I think you did a good job. I feel ya
Very intrigued by this one. I’m definitely putting it on the wish list, but heavens to betsy, I just don’t think I can do audio. I read so much faster than I listen….
I don’t think I could read this one. I saw the movie (at least it sounds the same as the movie) and I cried. I’m glad to hear its so good. So was the movie except for one major part for me.
When you first mentioned how much you loved this one, I went right out and got it. I just have to make some listening time for myself. It’s a long book, but I love that it has multiple narrators and that it was such a great read for you. I will have to come back with a full report!
Multiple readers..that sounds a bit daring for a neophyte audio consumer like myself. :-0
Wow, great review! I’m going to add it to my audible wish list. I haven’t listened to a book with multiple readers so your thoughts on that have me wanting to give it a try.
I had no desire to read or listen to this one … until now. Humm. Adding to the ever-growing wish list.
OMG, I am so glad I caught your review of this one. I actually have this one on audio, but never listened to it yet……thanks so much it does sound good.