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Mr. Flood's Last Resort: A Journey Through the Heart of the Irish Diaspora

Clarence Mitchell

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Published in Mr Flood S Last Resort: A Novel

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Brian Moore's novel, Mr. Flood's Last Resort, is a powerful and moving exploration of the Irish diaspora and the challenges faced by those who leave their homeland in search of a better life. The novel tells the story of Barney Flood, an Irish immigrant in New York City who is struggling to come to terms with his new life.

Barney is a proud man, but he is also deeply lonely and isolated. He has lost his wife and children, and he has no friends or family in America. He spends his days working as a janitor at a seedy hotel, and his nights drinking in a local bar. He is haunted by memories of his past, and he longs for the day when he can return to Ireland.

Mr. Flood's Last Resort: A Novel

by Jess Kidd

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8943 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	351 pages

One day, Barney meets a young Irish woman named Mary. Mary is also an immigrant, and she is struggling to make a new life for herself in New York City. Barney is drawn to Mary's kindness and compassion, and he begins to fall in love with her. However, their relationship is doomed from the start. Mary is already married, and she has no intention of leaving her husband.

Barney's love for Mary is unrequited, and it only serves to deepen his sense of loneliness and despair. He begins to drink more heavily, and he loses his job. He ends up living on the streets, and he is reduced to begging for money. Barney's life has spiraled out of control, and he has no hope for the future.

Mr. Flood's Last Resort is a tragedy, but it is also a story of hope. Barney is a broken man, but he is still capable of love and compassion. He finds solace in his friendship with a homeless man named Peter, and he eventually finds a new purpose in life when he helps Peter to get off the streets.

Mr. Flood's Last Resort is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of immigration, exile, identity, loss, and hope. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Characters

Barney Flood: An Irish immigrant in New York City who is struggling to come to terms with his new life.
Mary O'Connor: A young Irish woman who is also an immigrant in New York City.
Peter: A homeless man who becomes Barney's friend.

Themes

* Immigration * Exile * Identity * Loss * Hope

Setting

The novel is set in New York City in the 1950s.

Style

Moore's writing is clear and concise, and he has a gift for creating vivid and memorable characters. The novel is told in the first person from Barney's point of view, which gives the reader a deep insight into his thoughts and feelings.

Critical Reception

Mr. Flood's Last Resort was a critical and commercial success. The novel was praised for its realism, its compassion, and its insights into the Irish diaspora. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and has been adapted into a stage play and a film.

Mr. Flood's Last Resort is a classic novel that deserves to be read by anyone interested in the Irish diaspora or the immigrant experience. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Mr. Flood's Last Resort: A Novel

by Jess Kidd

4.1 out of 5