“Declan Burke is his own genre. The Lammisters dazzles, beguiles and transcends. Virtuoso from start to finish.” – Eoin McNamee “This bourbon-smooth riot of jazz-age excess, high satire and Wodehouse flamboyance is a pitch-perfect bullseye of comic brilliance.” – Irish Independent Books of the Year 2019 “This rapid-fire novel deserves a place on any bookshelf that grants asylum to PG Wodehouse, Flann O’Brien or Kyril Bonfiglioli.” – Eoin Colfer, Guardian Best Books of the Year 2019 “The funniest book of the year.” – Sunday Independent “Declan Burke is one funny bastard. The Lammisters ... conducts a forensic analysis on the anatomy of a story.” – Liz Nugent “Burke’s exuberant prose takes centre stage … He plays with language like a jazz soloist stretching the boundaries of musical theory.” – Totally Dublin “A mega-meta smorgasbord of inventive language ... linguistic verve not just on every page but every line.Irish Times “Above all, The Lammisters gives the impression of a writer enjoying himself. And so, dear reader, should you.” – Sunday Times “A triumph of absurdity, which burlesques the literary canon from Shakespeare, Pope and Austen to Flann O’Brien … The Lammisters is very clever indeed.” – The Guardian

Monday, August 25, 2008

Four Readings And A Christening

It’s a busy time at Chez Grand Viz, folks. Princess Lilyput (right) will be christened this coming Sunday, and has insisted her minions rush about “just, like, doing stuff” between now and then, and loath we are to disobey. We’re looking forward to it, though. I remain unconvinced about the religious / spiritual aspect of the ceremony, but I’m loving the idea of officially introducing the little girl to our extended families, our friends and the community at large. A manly tear may well be shed …
  Before we get to Sunday, however, there’s Saturday’s Electric Picnic gig to be negotiated, during which yours truly will be chairing a panel on Irish crime fiction in the company of Declan Hughes, Julie Parsons and Brian McGilloway. I’ll be doing a follow-up post in the aftermath, so if there’s any questions you ever wanted to ask of any of the trio, now would be a good time to let me know.
  The weekend after that is the crime writing series as part of the Books 2008 festival, where I’ll be participating on two panels in the company of John Connolly, Dec Hughes, Tana French, Gene Kerrigan, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Brian McGilloway, Arlene Hunt, and sundry other ne’er-do-wells from the Irish crime writing scene. It should be a blast, not least because blogger non pareil Peter Rozovsky is travelling to Ireland to take a gander at the Irish crime writer in its native habitat, and may even consent to partake in a ceremonial dry sherry to mark the occasion.
  Once the dust settles on that particular Donnybrook, there’s a two-week run-in to the official publication of THE BIG O in North America, during which I’ll be typing my delicate little fingers down to stumps in a bid to secure as much coverage for our humble tome as is humanly possible. Any and all offers of even a single atom of publicity oxygen will be very gratefully received. Your reward will be in Heaven. Peace, out.

14 comments:

adrian mckinty said...

Dec

Just a thought, have the christening beautifully intercut with a series of five assassinations, on steps, in revolving doors etc. perhaps rival authors, or book reviewers, or just neighbours that you're feuding with, that's your call.

A...

Gerard Brennan said...

Adrian - Where were you when my kids were being christened? That's just genius.

Dec - Best of luck to you, Aileen and Princess Lily on the big day.

gb

Declan Burke said...

I'm thinking O Fortuna for the backing track ... tempting fate?

Actually - and this isn't funny - Lily has developed the habit of growling in a way that sounds very like the little girl in The Exorcist, and especially when she meets people for the first time. I'm hoping the priest doesn't have heart-failure on Sunday ... Cheers, Dec

seana graham said...

All things are forgiven of babies at a christening. Let her enjoy her growls while she can.

And have a wonderful day! No, make that several wonderful days, as even you minions of Liliput's realm get to have a little time to flaunt your own stuff. Growls resulting or not.

Peter Rozovsky said...

Yeah, who will be Princess Lilyput's godfather anyway? And if you really want to give the priest conniptions, leave a few of Ken Bruen's novels lying around.

OK, I'll take a dry sherry, but only against a background of clinking glasses and witty banter.

Oh, and I've learned how to pronounce "Dun Laoghaire," so this has the makings of a great trip.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Declan Burke said...

Seanag, you're dead right ... and I'll be straight with you, I'd hate to be the priest who criticised my daughter while I'm in earshot ...

Peter - the locals prounounce it 'done leery' ... If you pronounce the way it's supposed to sound, 'doon layray', they'll think you're taking the piss. Cheers, Dec

Peter Rozovsky said...

I'm in no danger of getting my ass kicked, or my arse either, then. I'd read that it was pronounced "done leery" and am proud of myself for having so read.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

adrian mckinty said...

Peter

Ah but will you say Derry or Londonderry, that's the real test?

A..

Peter Rozovsky said...

Since I don't think I'm headed that way, I'll likely avoid the dilemma.

I am also told that while BBC announcers say Bel-FAST, normal people say BELL-fast. Is this true?

I have decided to leave my favorite orange shirt and green one at home.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Declan Burke said...

Isn't 'Stroke City' the preferred nomeclature round London/Derry way now? Cheers, Dec

adrian mckinty said...

Dec, Peter,

The Beeb do say "L'Derry/Derry" and your man Gerry Anderson in Derry says "Stroke City." Bill Clinton said "Londonderry, Co. Derry" which was original. To be honest I have never heard anyone say Londonderry in a convo in my life and I've got friends who live in Ballymena. Eoin Macnamee told me a story when either he (or maybe his brother)(we'd had a few)worked in the post office and he used to throw all the letters marked Londonderry into the unknown address box.

A...

Declan Burke said...

I was thumbing from Coleraine to Letterkenny one day, and when a guy pulled up to ask where I was going, I said, 'Derry.' 'Sorry, never heard of it,' says he, and slams the door ...!

Cheers, Dec

adrian mckinty said...

Dec

Must have worked for the BBC then.

A...

Peter Rozovsky said...

Bill Clinton was always good at triangulating, compromising and trying to please everybody.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/