In A Star Called Henry we were introduced to this charismatic lad, prince of the streets and rebel. Now he is a handsome young man fleeing Ireland and losing none of his charm and quick wits in prohibition America. Speak-easies, gangsters, double dealing, racism, booze, women and Louis Armstrong, Henry is in the thick of history. It’s seriously good.
Comparison: Martin Amis, David Nobbs, Stephen Fry.
Similar this month: None but try David Maine or A L Kennedy.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Win a Copy of The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan and a Bucket List Scratch Book
Closing date: 04/07/2026
It's 1924, and New York is the centre of the universe. Henry Smart, on the run from Dublin, falls on his feet. He is a handsome man with a sandwich board, behind which he stashes hooch for the speakeasies of the Lower East Side. He catches the attention of the mobsters who run the district and soon there are eyes on his back and men in the shadows. It is time to leave, for another America- Chicago is wild and new, and newest of all is the music. Furious, wild, happy music played by a man with a trumpet and bleeding lips called Louis Armstrong. His music is everywhere, coming from every open door, every phonograph. But Armstrong is a prisoner of his colour; there are places a black man cannot go, things he cannot do. Armstrong needs a man, a white man, and the man he chooses is Henry Smart.
Oh, Play That Thing features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, eBooks of the Month, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
Oh, Play That Thing is available in Ebook, Paperback
Oh, Play That Thing was written by Roddy Doyle and published by Vintage
Oh, Play That Thing has 376 pages
Yes it is part of The Last Roundup series
£9.89
