''The Van'' is a 1991 novel by

Roddy Doyle Roddy Doyle (born 8 May 1958) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, eight books for children, seven plays and screenplays, and dozens of short stories. Several of his books have been ma ...

and the third novel in '' The Barrytown Trilogy''. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (1991).

Premise

The basis of the story is that Jimmy Rabbitte Sr. has been laid off from his job and has no money. His friend, Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves, also is laid off and receives a redundancy cheque. With this cheque, the two friends decide to purchase a 'chipper' (fish and chips van). Jimmy and Bimbo's friendship becomes strained, because Jimmy starts to believe that Bimbo and his wife Maggie are planning the work behind his back. The story continues themes found in the other two novels of ''The Barrytown Trilogy'' and focuses on the elder Jimmy Rabbitte and his efforts at going into business with friends.

Film adaptation

Stephen Frears Stephen Arthur Frears (born 20 June 1941) is an English director and producer of film and television often depicting real life stories as well as projects that explore social class through sharply drawn characters. He's received numerous accola ...

turned it into a film in 1996 starring Colm Meaney as Larry (renamed from Jimmy Rabbitte) and Donal O'Kelly as Brendan 'Bimbo' Reeves who he goes into business with.

References

1991 Irish novels Novels by Roddy Doyle Sequel novels Novels set in Dublin (city) Irish novels adapted into films Secker & Warburg books Novels set in the 1980s Novels set in the 1990s {{1990s-novel-stub