Author(s): Lorcan Roche

General Fiction

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 very wealthy and very 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, Lorcan Roche's The Companionbecomes a darkly humorous tale of obsession, An Irish take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nestand A Confederacy of Dunces, The Companion'selectrifying style, shocking finale, and its moving tale of friendship under duress all make for an immensely rewarding read. 'Essential reading for our times. Get a drink of something strong, grab a Velvet Underground album (preferably on vinyl), play it high, read aloud.' The Evening Herald'Lorcan Roche is a fresh and vivid voice in new Irish fiction. I love the energy of his writing and its passionate engagement with the world. He is a gifted and clever storyteller.' Joseph O'Connor, author of Star of the Sea' The Companionis brilliantly achieved . . . Roche handles his materials well, never losing control over his narrative, keeping his reader's attention throughout.' The Irish Times'Psychologically complex, beautifully written, a splendid read.' Today, RTE