Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know

This book is not just history neither it is as sensational as the title makes it seem. Instead it shows along with the detailed portraits of the mentioned fathers the fascination Colm Toibin has with understanding people. Since I am especially interested in Oscar Wilde, I found the part on William Wilde especially insightful but the writing is such that it evinces interest throughout.Sample in the these photographs of two passages

This is an very interesting book telling the stories of the fathers of three of Ireland's most famous writers. Beautifully written and incredibly well researched Colm Tobin manages to bring the characters to life so we can see and feel the times they lived in and the effects they had on their sons and their son's careers. Famous characters are mentioned too like Isaac Butt after whom Butt Bridge in Dublin is named. William Wilde founded the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin. This and other interesting facts are littered through the book which for an Irish reader are particularly fascinating. The story of James Joyce's father is very sad and I found it a bit tedious as it went through "Ulysses" with long passages given to illustrate a point.

These are the potted 'biographies' of the fathers of three of Ireland's major literary figures. It's not exclusively about the fathers, but covers siblings and friends as well. perhaps there is a little too much referring to and quoting from the illustrious sons.

These were originally four lectures and read badly.Furthermore, none of the subjects was mad, bad and dangerous.

This book didn't "do it" for me (as I feared).I know Wilde, but very little about the works of Yeats and Joyce .... Nor have I ever visited Dublin.I think you need a good knowledge of all four to fully appreciate this book.

Ordered this on 14/11/18 and it was here by 11.30 on the 15th!!I heard extracts of the book on the Radio but couldn't wait to get my mitts on the real thing! Yippee!