Oh, Play That Thing

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On the last page of the first volume of The Last Roundup trilogy, Henry Smart is on the run from his Republican paymasters after committing murder and mayhem. He flees from Dublin to Liverpool and then to Ellis Island, New York. The story picks up in 1924, where New York is at the center of the universe. Henry, now a handsome man with a sandwich board, also carries a stash of hooch for the Lower East Side's speakeasies. As he hires kids to help him, he attracts the attention of local mobsters, prompting him to escape to Chicago. In Chicago, Henry finds a fresh start, free from his past. The city is vibrant, and the music is alive, particularly the furious sounds of Louis Armstrong, whose talent is overshadowed by the limitations imposed on him due to his race. The mob controls the stages, and Armstrong, a prisoner of his circumstances, needs a white man to help him. He chooses Henry Smart. This novel bursts with energy and creativity, featuring language and rhythms that mirror the music it celebrates. Roddy Doyle's unparalleled vision and ambition shine through, making this work a remarkable triumph.