When Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle published The Woman Who Walked into Doors almost 30 years ago, it was hailed internationally as an unsparing portrait of domestic abuse. Protagonist Paula Spencer is a woman as extraordinary as she is ordinary, rebuilding her life after years of living with a violent husband whom she loved. Now, The Women Behind the Door returns to Paula at 66, finally living her life… until her eldest daughter returns home in crisis. This is a delicate portrait of shame and its shadows. Few can write humanity like Doyle, holding humour and grace amidst hard truths. He’ll share reflections from his remarkable career to date, his motivation behind writing the Paula Spencer series, and more, in a highlight of the literary calendar. Moderated by Jerry Wasserman.

Roddy Doyle’s attendance made possible thanks to the generous support of Culture Ireland.

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Event Participants:

Roddy Doyle

RODDY DOYLE is the author of thirteen novels, including the The Commitments, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, for which he won the Booker Prize in 1993, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors and, most recently, The Women Behind The Door, published this year. He co-wrote the screenplay for The Commitments, and wrote the scripts for The Snapper and The Van. His most recent screen work was the script for Rosie, released in 2018. He is a co-founder of Fighting Words, which was set up to help and encourage children and young people throughout Ireland to write creatively. He lives in Dublin.

Roddy Doyle’s attendance made possible thanks to the generous support of Culture Ireland.

Jerry Wasserman

JERRY WASSERMAN is an actor, theatre critic and Emeritus Professor of English & Theatre at UBC. His latest book, Life Could Be a Dream: African American Blues, R&B, Gospel & Doo Wop, 1946-56, is forthcoming from McFarland.