With My Lazy Eye

This is an extremely impressive first novel by an Irish writer destined to go on to even greater things. Caveat;if you are looking for a "chick -lit" diversion, then Lazy Eye is not for you. However, the more discerning reader will be rewarded by this perceptive, uplifting and at times quirky evocation of middle class Dublin family relationships, particularly between the narrator Lucy and her serially-disappointed father who defines her as woefully-underachieving. Lucy's first job- flying by the seat of her pants as a travel writer in London,and early tentative relationships with young men are conveyed with humour and verve.It is the mark of a superior writer to make us view the ordinary afresh and Julia Kelly achieves this throughout with consummate literary panache.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I had no idea what to expect.The book is beautifully written. It is a story set in the Dublin of the late 1970' and 1980's about the journey of a young Dublin girl, Lucy, from her childhood to adulthood with all the frustrations, joys, coming of age, friendships, frustrations and family memories that could take place in any major city.It's main thread is Lucy's relationship with her father.The description of the Papal mass in the Phoenix Park in 1979 is so good it is worth buying the book for it alone. Indeed anyone in Ireland named John Paul should be made read this section as part of their 30th birthday celebrations as they may get a little insight as to what inspired their parents to have them in the first place.This lovely Novel is packed full of typical Dublin chilhood memories ...Bovril, Rice Krispies, MiWadi.Loop the Loops, Chopper Bikes, Debs, London, Exams,The Waltons, Love, Laughter and Sasperillas!!Is it any wonder that it took me ages to read as I kept drifting back into my own Dublin childhood.Delightful novel that is serious, funny and sad but always absolutely entertaining.Actually the previous reviewer missed the point .... Lucy's story is our story in that nothing appears to be happening on any particular day but when each day is added to the next the story is engrossing.Looking forward to the next one already!

I absolutely loved this book! It is beautifully written, so funny and so original. There's a great description in practically every paragraph - it made me laugh out loud so many times and there were some very poignant episodes too, especially towards the end. This writer is such a breath of fresh air. I'm so looking forward to her next one!

Reviewer Spanner summarizes it very well. I could enjoy the book even without being Irish. Very honest. The main character has a messy life, just like most of us, but I was intrigued by her story. And Julia Kelly writes beautifully, with original turns of phrases.

Very interesting read for anyone reared of the era, especially for those with a history in Dublin in or around that time. Or if you were too young, an insight into a world gone-by.A different writing style to the usual chick lit books, you actually have to read the pages to connect with the story and gain from the book. It's not a mindless saunter through the chapters - a good replacement for the usual beach read. I couldn't put the book down when I read it and I look forward to the next one.

This is a very poorly written book. I do not understand how the author managed to find a publisher for it and I resent the time I wasted while I struggled through the meaningless language.

This book was terribly written and I fail to understand how it was published. I couldn't get past the first few pages because every sentence was peppered with contrived and unnecessary descriptions that just bogged it down and made it difficult to read (I really didn't care that 'someone had done a number two' in the bath and I couldn't understand the significance of it to the book or plot). In the opening chapter the book jumps from one instance to the next and I don't know whether I have an old fashioned idea of the purposes of a novel but I believe it is meant to tell a story. There was no story here, just a stream of random and over described sentences that became instantly forgettable as soon as I read the next.

A very disappointing first novel.I patiently waited for something to happen but nothing did.I actually struggled to finish the book.Not recommended.