Queueing for a Living
Queueing for a Living by Paddy O’Gorman, published by Poolbeg in 1994, presents a unique exploration of social issues through the lens of direct human interaction. This 296-page book captures the voices of individuals from various walks of life, as O’Gorman engages with people in diverse settings such as dole queues, pawnshops, and courts across Britain, Germany, Holland, and Ireland. His approach emphasizes listening to those often overlooked, providing a platform for their stories and experiences.
Readers will find that O’Gorman’s work delves into the complexities of poverty and homelessness, revealing the raw and unfiltered perspectives of ordinary individuals, including marginalized groups like prostitutes, criminals, and victims of violence. The narrative is characterized by O’Gorman’s candid conversations, which reflect his opinionated and sometimes humorous take on the human condition. This edition invites readers to confront the realities faced by those who have been denied the opportunity to share their voices, making it a significant contribution to the discourse on social science.
Official synopsis Publisher
Since 1984 Paddy O Gorman s remarkable success and popularity as a broadcaster has been based on his direct approach to people. For his RTE radio programme, Queueing for a Living, Paddy has taken his tape-recorder to dole queues, pawnshops, bookie shops, courts and prison gates in Britain, Germany, Holland and in Ireland, North and South. Paddy O Gorman does not trust spokespeople. Spokespeople include some social workers and any official who forces a distance between him and the people he wants to listen to. As Paddy remarks, there is something very subversive about listening to people in queues . Paddy doesn t just listen to people. He holds conversations with them as well. It would not be true to say that Paddy O Gorman is non-judgmental. He is opinionated, exasperated, comical and prejudiced. This book is about people who have never previously been given the right or the opportunity to talk. Ordinary people, as well as prostitutes, criminals, victims of paramilitary discipline in Northern Ireland, drug addicts, wife beaters, beaten women, perverts and their families, all find their voices in this vivid and unsettling testimony. Paddy O Gorman never meets a typical person because there are no typical people.
FAQ
What is “Queueing for a Living” about?
Who is the author of “Queueing for a Living”?
When was “Queueing for a Living” published?
What is the ISBN for “Queueing for a Living”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
