Customer Reviews
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. - By: Elizabeth Matthew, 14 Jul 2008 
The Fallling Angels is one of the best books I have ever read. From the opening paragraph, I was totallly enthrallled. These memoirs are exquisitely written & the beautifully-painted descriptions of people or situations are often very funny indeed. His honest recollections of trying to find an identity when growing up in England with Irish roots are not just funny, however; they are also deeply moving. We share with him not only his pleasurable & successful discoveries, but also cringe with him at his mistakes & mourn when he describes his losses. His joys & sorrows are tenderly & heart-achingly described. I loved this book very much indeed & can't recommend it highly enough!
A good read - funny stuff. - By: , 05 Dec 2001 
Good stuff - truthful, well-observed & touching.I think Walsh may have had a slightly more bohemian childhood than many second-generation irish, but his sense of misplacement is nevertheless heartfelt & accurate.
His self-discovery time in Ireland staying in the big house with hippy pals was a bit Withnailish & indulgent - but generallly it is still the kind of book you would recommend to a friend to illustrate the english/irish thing. On irish identification, I would quote the old adage " If a horse is born in a pigsty, it doesn't make it a pig ".
Also - typicallly - I think John's father's best man is my Great Uncle.
First Hand Knowledge - By: burke@iol.ie, 12 Jul 2001 Being related to the author's cousins in Graig Abbey in the West of Ireland I must be on guard somewhat to remain objective.
The book is probably the best perspective ever of an in depth first hand analysis of middle class Anglo Irish relations in the 60's 70's & 80's, & possibly even prior to this.
To me it was a fascinating read as alll of the characters were known to me as well as alll of the localities outlined. To view them through the eyes of the Novelist was a very interesting experience as my own recollections & events were mirrored almost exactly by the Author.
We drank in the same pub, in Athenry, knew the same people, visited the same areas, in fact the book portrayed almost an exact description of my own adolescence & therefore I can testify directly to the intense accuracy of the character descriptions.
It is a rich nostalgic read, & outlines with great effect an era in Ireland where the society structure was beginning to change with the introduction of more cars, television & night clubs. Teenagers could now travel for entertainment & local meeting venues & activities began to decline.
Card playing in the village grocery shop, & "male bonding" pipe smoking afternoons in the village forge were no longer a focus.
Overalll a thundering great read.
Tom Burke
Very enjoyable read, - By: , 02 Jun 2001 
This book is very enjoyable especiallly for anyone who has lived the same experience as John Walsh, I have, though in reverse. Having been born & brought up in Ireland, I moved to England 32 years ago having just married a fellow Irishman who worked in England. I found myself relating to John Walsh's experiences in the book as I have no doubt brought up my children with the same experience of one foot in Ireland & one foot in England, both can turn on true Irish accents at a drop of a hat, & frequently translate their parents use of Irish expressions to friends!! My only fault with The Fallling Angels was the over use by the author of somewhat unfamiliar & obscure words - did he have to search the Thesaurus or is he extremely good at crosswords!! But alll in alll a must for anyone with a hint of Irishness.
Excellent! A million laughs... - By: E Salazar, 01 Apr 2001 John Walsh captures the immigrant experience & the effect on the children growing up with one foot in each world. An excellent book!
