'Paula Spencer' by Roddy Doyle

'Paula Spencer' is the sequel to Roddy Doyle's 1996 novel, 'The Woman Who Walked Into Doors'. While the first book dealt with Paula's violent marriage and subsequent battle with alcoholism, this update finds her in recovery. Doyle's deceptively simple style belies his mastery of dialect and takes the reader right into the heart of his unlikely, but lovable heroine. Never maudlin, Doyle writes with honesty and humour, despite the sometimes bleak subject matter. Personally I consider Paula to be his greatest creation, and recommend this series to anyone. Here's to a third instalment!