The Giant, O'BrienFrom the two-time Booker winner, the story of the 18th Century Irish giant, Charles O'Brien. Charles O'Brien, bard and giant. The cynical are moved by his flights of romance; the craven stirred by his tales of epic deeds. But what of his own story as he is led from Ireland to seek his fortune beyond the seas in England? The Surprising Irish Giant may be the sensation of the season but only his compatriots seem to attend to his mythic powers of invention. John Hunter, celebrated surgeon and anatomist, buys dead men from the gallows and babies' corpses by the inch. Where is a man as unique as The Giant to hide his bones when he is yet alive? The Giant, O'Brien is an unforgettable novel; lyrical, shocking and spliced with black comedy. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
anda andshe andthe arecalled arms atthe babby Bitch Mary blood bones Bride brother Byrne called can’t Caskey cellar Charles Byrne Charlie child Claffey’s Claffeysaid cockroach race Cockspur Street coming Connor Constantine Claffey corpse cows dead dissecting door drink dwarves eyes face feet fingers flesh freak fromthe gentlemen Giant asked hair hand hanged he’s head heard hesaid hewas HILARY MANTEL hishands Howison Ihave inthe Ireland isthe itis itwas Jankin Jean-Paul Marat Jermyn Street Joe Vance John Hunter Kane legs likea London looked man’s Mester mouth Mulroney’s never night O’Brien ofhis ofthe onthe pauper pocket Pybus red-head rubbed saidthe Giant Scotchman shoulders skin skull Slig smiling stared story Street Tannikin theGiant there’s thought Tibor tobe Toby tothe turned voice walk wall wasa What’s whatis witha withthe woman Wullie Wych Street You’re