Book Review - Leonard and Hungry Paul - Rónán Hession

‘Leonard and hungry Paul’ by Rónán Hession is the story of two thirty something bachelors, both quiet, unassuming and kind blokes. Leonard has just lost his beloved mother and is finding loneliness hard, but is glad he has a friend like Hungry Paul, who lives with his parents. They enjoy playing board games together, and life seems to be just ticking along. Then Leonard becomes interested in a woman at work and Hungry Paul, previously just drifting through life, suddenly comes into some money. How will things change for these two friends?

I found this a thoughtful, pleasant read. To begin with I thought it was going to be ‘uplit’ fiction, but it became something different (Eleanor Oliphant came to mind). There wasn’t much in the way of plot, though there was a wedding to plan for. Just two main characters, living their lives. It would be say to dismiss both characters as losers, but that would be wrong. Both men are relatively happy with their unadventurous lives. Hungry Paul is pretty quiet, maybe not getting on with his life as others would like, but happy in his own skin. He’s not in the past, or the future, just living his life mindfully in the present. Leonard is a bit lonely perhaps, but also getting on with things – but is prepared to take a chance when an opportunity presents itself. Both of them help some of the other characters realise something about themselves and their lives.

Leonard and Hungry Paul Summary

I found this to be a ‘kind’ book, if you can imagine such a thing. It’s about the power of friendship, and taking comfort in the small events of life. Leonard and Hungry Paul are quirky, likeable people, that you find yourself rooting for. That they are so endearing is down to the writing skill of Ronan Hession.

I read so many books that provoke a strong reaction in me. This is certainly not that book, and all the better for it. I think I just needed to read something as calming and soothing as this one. I have a long standing interest in meditation and there’s something zen like about this, particular in the monk-like Leonard. Maybe he’s named after famous monk and occasional singer Leonard Cohen (much missed).

There’s not a lot of action, or many other characters, so it does allow you to spend time with the two mains and Hungry Paul's sister Grace, and is all the better for it. I’m pretty sure the two main characters aren’t described in any physical sense, nor is there a sense of place, but I found this refreshing. There’s also a nice seam of humour present in the book, and it's got a warm heart. It wasn’t obvious, and it crept up on me, but I found myself really enjoying this book.

Book review - Leonard and hungry Paul by Rónán Hession

August 4, 2020 by Melville House

252 Pages