The Gospel According to Blindboy

Synopsis

Sunday Business Post Book of the Year

Blindboy Boatclub is one half of the Rubberbandits, Ireland's foremost satirist and now the talented author of a collection of brilliant short stories and visual art. Published to critical acclaim, his first collection is powered by big themes and even bigger ideas.

There are stories about a van fuelled by Cork people's accents, Tipperary's first ISIS recruit, a sexually aggressive banshee and a fridge dragged heroically through the streets of Limerick.

The Gospel According to Blindboy questions and challenges the complacencies and contradictions at the heart of modern Ireland. Whip-smart, provocative and animated by his unmistakable dark wit, it is one of the most original collections of short stories to emerge in recent years.

 

'Mad, wild, hysterical, and all completely under the writer's control  - this is a brilliant  debut.' Kevin Barry

'There is genius in this book, warped genius. Like you'd expect from a man who for his day job wears a plastic bag on his head but something beyond that too. Oddly in keeping with the tradition of great Irish writers.' Russell Brand

'If you've ever witnessed (there's no other word for it) a Rubberbandits video you'll be anxious (there's no other word for it) to read this collection of short stories from one of the originators. I hesitate to use the word author as the experience is as close to reading a traditional short story as being burnt by a blow torch. Essential, funny and disturbing.' Danny Boyle

'One of Ireland's finest and most  intelligent comic minds delivers stories so blisteringly funny and sharp your fingers might bleed. In language so delicious you can taste it, we're shown holy and unholy Ireland: a land of lock-ins, nettle stings, stone-mad  Cork birds, gas cunts and Guiney's jeans. No one is safe - we all have the unmerciful  piss ripped out of us and there's no escape from the emotional gut punches,  expertly dealt.' Tara Flynn

'Demented, dishevelled and deeply surreal - Blindboy Boatclub's book will shock and delight.' Irish Independent

'It's not for the faint-hearted.' Joe.ie

'You won't be disappointed. It will take you to places unexpected.' Ryan Tubridy

Summary

Chapter 1: The Gospel According to Blindboy

Blindboy, the narrator, introduces his unconventional gospel, which challenges established norms and encourages questioning everything. He uses the example of the "Holy Trinity," which he argues is a human construct rather than an immutable truth.

Chapter 2: The Kingdom of the Hoors

Blindboy invites us to consider society as a "whorehouse," where everyone plays a role and everyone is for sale, from politicians to celebrities. He gives the example of "Big Tech," which profits from our data and our attention, exploiting our weaknesses.

Chapter 3: The Son of God

Blindboy reinterprets the figure of Jesus as a symbol of rebellion and a "door into anarchy." He argues that Jesus' message of love and acceptance could be seen as a radical challenge to the established order.

Chapter 4: The Holy Spirit

Blindboy explores the concept of the Holy Spirit as a force that inspires creativity, passion, and rebellion. He uses the example of the Irish People's Liberation Organization (PLO), which fought against British rule in Northern Ireland.

Chapter 5: The Burning Bush

Blindboy compares the burning bush that Moses encountered in the Bible to the internet, a "bush" that is continuously ablaze with information and ideas. He encourages us to embrace this "fire" and use it to fuel our own enlightenment.

Chapter 6: Casting Out Demons

Blindboy suggests that "demons" represent the negative forces that hold us back, such as fear, shame, and conformity. He uses the example of therapists, whom he views as modern-day exorcists who help people cast out these inner demons.

Chapter 7: The Last Supper

Blindboy reinterprets the Last Supper as a celebration of diversity and unity, where people from all walks of life come together to share food, drink, and stories. He emphasizes the importance of breaking bread with those who differ from us.

Chapter 8: The Resurrection

Blindboy argues that the resurrection of Jesus is a metaphor for our own potential to rise above adversity and transcend our limitations. He uses the example of his own experience with depression, and how he found a way to "resurrect" himself from its depths.

Chapter 9: The Ascension

Blindboy encourages us to "ascend" beyond the mundane and the materialistic, and to seek higher ideals and a deeper purpose in life. He uses the example of the "hippie movement" of the 1960s, which sought to elevate consciousness and create a more just and equitable society.

Chapter 10: The Second Coming

Blindboy leaves us with a message of hope and renewal. He believes that the "Second Coming" is not a literal event but a symbol of a time when humanity will finally embrace wisdom, compassion, and unity. He encourages us to work towards creating this future by living our lives in accordance with his "gospel."