Mr Bawman Wants to Tango
Mr Bawman Wants to Tango by Mogue Doyle, published by Liberties in 2010, is a 240-page work that explores the complexities of adolescence within the confines of a Catholic boarding school. The narrative intertwines themes of coming of age and crime, presenting a stark contrast between youthful innocence and the oppressive environment shaped by authority figures. Through the experiences of Johnny and Martin, two boys whose lives are intertwined by their time at the school, the story delves into their struggles with loneliness, authority, and the darker aspects of their surroundings.
Readers will find a vivid portrayal of the boys’ lives, from their initial innocence to the challenges they face as they navigate relationships with peers and authority figures. The narrative captures their interactions with the school’s oppressive environment and the consequences of their actions, particularly when they become involved with two sisters from the kitchen. Doyle’s lyrical writing style evokes a sense of dark humor while addressing serious themes, making this a thought-provoking exploration of youth and morality.
Official synopsis Publisher
Mr Bawman Wants to Tango by Mogue Doyle is sure to reverberate given the current scandals in relation to the Catholic Church. It intertwines the pleasures of adolescence with the overly regulated and sometimes even menacing environment of a Catholic boarding school, which one can face either by showing Hank Chinaski-like indifference or keeping a stiff upper lip.
Johnny and Martin are alcoholics living under a bridge in their home town. Their stories, and how they both ended up homeless, are intimately linked from the two years they spent together in a religious order’s boarding school. Johnny tells the story of their initially innocent days in the school: their loneliness; their interactions with the other students and the canings they got from priests. He also describes their methods of dealing with the Mr Bawmans – the monks that prey on the naive young students for their own sexual gratification.
However, the boys lives become more complicated once they meet two sisters working in the school kitchens. According to the societal rules of the students, liaisons with girls working in the school are not acceptable. When Martin impregnates his girlfriend, Billy – the school bully – in an episode with echoes of Lord of the Flies, holds a show trial to make an example of him to the rest of the students. With lyrical writing evoking comparisons to Pat McCabe and Flann O’Brien, Mogue Doyle delivers a darkly humorous coming-of-age tale with raw emotion dripping from the page.
FAQ
What is “Mr Bawman Wants to Tango” about?
Who is the author of “Mr Bawman Wants to Tango”?
When was “Mr Bawman Wants to Tango” published?
What is the ISBN for “Mr Bawman Wants to Tango”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
