Troubles
Troubles
Book Brief
Beta459
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • 1910s
2002
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Troubles by J.G. Farrell follows an English major visiting a dilapidated Irish hotel, the Majestic, amidst the Irish War of Independence. The story depicts the complexities and tensions of this period, highlighting the lives and challenges the hotel's residents face. The narrative explores themes of decline, conflict, and cultural identity during a transformative era.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Dark
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
7,189 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Troubles by J.G. Farrell is lauded for its rich historical context and darkly comic portrayal of a decaying Irish hotel, symbolizing the decline of the British Empire. Critics praise Farrell's vivid characters and intricate prose. Some find the narrative slow and dense. Overall, it offers a compelling and atmospheric read with a blend of humor and poignancy.
Who Should Read Troubles?
Readers who enjoy J.G. Farrell's Troubles likely appreciate historical fiction set against tumultuous backdrops and narratives rich in satire and dark humor. They may also enjoy Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited and Ford Madox Ford’s The Good Soldier for similar themes of societal change and decline.
7,189 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
J.G. Farrell won the 1970 Lost Man Booker Prize for Troubles, a special award given in 2010 to acknowledge books published in 1970 that missed out on the opportunity for recognition due to changes in the Booker Prize's eligibility rules at the time.
The Majestic Hotel, a central setting in Troubles, was inspired by an actual hotel, the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran, County Donegal, Ireland, which Farrell visited.
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Troubles is the first book in J.G. Farrell's acclaimed Empire Trilogy, which examines the effects of British colonialism and includes the subsequent novels The Siege of Krishnapur and The Singapore Grip.
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459
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • 1910s
2002
Adult
18+ years
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