The book
In this subversive comic extravaganza, Dublin-born film-school dropout Trevor finds himself washed up in New York where he answers an ad to work as a companion to Ed, a wheelchair-bound teenager with muscular dystrophy. Ed’s family is extremely wealthy and extremely dysfunctional. Ed’s father, a guilt-ridden judge, rarely emerges from his dusty study. Ed’s morbidly obese, sexually perverse mother retired to her bed after a skiing incident ten years ago. They may live in the same luxurious apartment, but Ed and his parents barely interact. A bizarre yet touching friendship develops between Trevor and Ed—both men are equally in need of someone who can show them understanding and compassion.
As the boisterous narrative increasingly focuses its attention on Trevor’s past and the mysterious stirrings of his psyche, The Companion becomes a darkly humorous tale of obsession and madness. This Irish take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Confederacy of Dunces announces the debut of a singular and electrifying new talent.
The author
Lorcan Roche
Lorcan Roche, born in Dublin in 1963, is journalist, playwright, travel-writer, magazine editor and one-time male nurse. His works include award-winning plays for radio (Angel of Suburbia) and stage (Him and Her, Whatever Happened to Joe Magill, and The Old Fella). He lives in Dublin with his wife and daughter.
Press
- Aug 30 2010
Hipster Book Club: "Roche adeptly walks the tricky line between comedy and tragedy, elevating what could be a clichéd story about redemption and hard-learned lessons to a higher level." - Jun 30 2010
Reviews by Mary Whipple: "One of the most memorable debut novels I’ve read in years." - Jun 3 2010
Publishers Weekly: "A hilarious and heartbreaking tale." - Jun 1 2010
The Huffington Post: "Kindness and its Evil Twin" - Jun 1 2010
Booklist: "A masterfully written exploration of growing up and moving on. "