Editorial Reviews:
This work tells of the life and times, the joys and sorrows of Agnes Browne, a widow of seven kids trying to make ends meet in Dublin. It is full of incidents, intriguing characters, and a passion for life. This story is now a film, starring and directed by Anjelica Huston.
It seems like there's no end to Irish tales depicting unhappy, squalid childhoods in crowded, working-class flats. While Brendan O'Carroll's The Mammy maintains many elements of the traditional genre--the saintly, overworked mother, the Catholic family with an enormous posse of children and any number of abusive alcoholic fathers--it's a somewhat cheerier vision of Irish youth than we've come to expect. The mammy in question, one Agnes Browne, has enough spunk to look after her brood of seven, run a fruit stand at the local open market, gossip viciously with her best friend Marion, and still daydream about dancing with a famous singer. This is in large part due to the fact that her husband, Redser, who falls squarely into the above-mentioned category, has died--thanks to a careless driver--just before the novel's opening pages. Our first glimpse of the pragmatic, lovable Agnes comes as she's waiting in the social services office on the afternoon of his death, determined not to lose a penny of her widow's benefits as a result of dilly-dallying. She doesn't even have the necessary death certificate yet, but that's not nearly enough to slow down Agnes Brown: "No, love, he's definitely dead. Definitely," she says to the clerk, then, turning to her friend for backup, "Isn't he, Marion?" Marion, made from the same tough stock, agrees solemnly: "Absolutely. I know him years, and I've never seen him look so bad. Dead, definitely dead!" The scene is emblematic: Agnes knows how to fight, and she isn't afraid to do it. Her deadpan humor becomes a hallmark. As for her children, they get into the usual trouble--fights, girl problems, and the like. But there are also some charming, unexpected episodes in the book. For example, Agnes's oldest child meets a Jewish man and performs small tasks for him on the Sabbath, which eventually leads to greater goods. Among other things, Mark learns about the Jewish faith, new knowledge he accepts with bemusement and some of his mother's innocence and good humor. Upon hearing that the man doesn't celebrate Christmas, he exclaims: "Will yeh go on outta that! How can yeh not believe in something when it's real?" The book is not without its share of tragedy, but Agnes takes it all with aplomb. She's clearly the glue that binds her pack of youngsters together: "The rule in the Browne family was: 'You hit one, you hit seven.' Since March twenty-ninth and Redser's demise, little had changed in the Browne house. If anything, the house was less tense." The Mammy is a slight book--it tells the simple, fairly conventional tale of a single Irish family--but it makes up for its gaps with humanity, in the same way Agnes Browne makes up for what she and her children lack. --Melanie Rehak
Customer Reviews:
Displaying 1 to 5 of 83 total reviews (Page 1 of 17):
 "The Mammy" is a very touching, heart-warming story
"The Mammy" is a very touching, heart-warming story. It's the second Irish novel I've read after Frank McCourt's books.
It's about a woman named Agnes Browne who has dead, alcoholic-abusive, husband and now struggling with 7 little children with no money left. Typical Irish family with many children, living in poverty, trying to survive day by day.
Still, the story flows eloquently and sweetly with great sense of humour. It made me laugh out loud as well as shed tears in my eyes. Agnes Browne is a very simple woman, has fighter spirit and full of courage. The story's also telling us a great friendship she has with her best friend, Marion. Battling hillarioulsy to get driving liscense and as the same time, being submissive in facing the cancer. I love the part where Marion always visits the church every morning and said, "God, it's me, Marion!"
I admire Agnes' soul that is gentle yet firm with her kids. Her heart is full of love which remains untouched when her husband was still alived. She also has dreams of meeting her favourite singer, Cliff Richard, to sing and dance with him.
The closing of the book is my best favourite part ever," dance, Agnes Browne, dance to the star!" And from above, she can hear her friend Marion, laughs."
Two thumbs up for Mr. O'Carroll.
Review written by Mrs.Natalina of Indonesia ... i just post this for her ... A pleasant afternoon read
This is the first of Brendan O'Carroll's delightful stories of the inimitable Browne family. Have you ever tried to laugh and cry at the same time? I'm not sure I would have wanted a mother like the one in this book, but I do admire her stamina, perseverance and pluck. The book is short enough to finish in one sitting, a good holiday travel choice. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
THE MAMMY by Brendan O'Carroll
April 7, 2007
Amazon Rating 5/5 stars
I loved THE MAMMY by Brendan O'Carroll. It's funny, sad, and inspirational all in one. THE MAMMY in some ways reminded me of ANGELA'S ASHES by Frank McCourt, in that both take place in Ireland and both focus on poverty and ill fortune, but told with a light hearted and often times funny voice.
The Mammy is Agnes Browne, who at the start of this novel is a newly made widow. Her husband Redser Browne had just died, and she is doing what she needs to do, file the papers so she can get the money from the government due to her, the widow.
I have to say that every little thing that happens in this book, there is a funny spin on it, as Agnes always looks at the bright side of life, no matter how dark things become. And no matter how hard things get for Agnes, she stays strong. She's got seven children to feed and it's not easy. Her oldest acts like he's the new man of the house, and each of the other children have their own distinct personalities that makes this story richer. Agnes makes a living by selling produce on Moore Street, standing next to her best friend Marion. Between the two of them, the laughs come fast and hard, even when Marion's health is on the line.
THE MAMMY is just one of four in this series of books about a poor Irish family living in the heart of "the Jarro". I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  Adorable characters lie within
This book is funny, heartwarming and definitely worth the read. The characters are lovingly drawn. The relationship between Agnes and Marian,(best friends for years) is absolutely wonderful. I love all things Irish and this book is a wonderful example of why. My only complaint is that it is much too short. And since it is the first of three, I feel it should have been made into one larger novel. Great quick read
Easily read in a few hours. It is so enjoyable. The characters are all likeable so you actually care to read on. There is humor. There is sadness but it isn't dwelled on for too long. I'm on Amazon looking up the sequels. This isn't heavy stuff but our own lives are full of heavy stuff so who needs that? :)
I truly think this book would be of interest to young and old of all ages.
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