Gospel according to blindboy

Blindboy Boatclub is Ireland's foremost satirist and most original comedic voice, and one half of the Rubberbandits. Present in the art and theatre world with their movement `Gas C**ntism', they represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2015 and were the first entertainment act to headline at Shakespeare's Globe. Hit singles include `Horse Outside' and `Spastic Hawk', and popular television shows include The Rubberbandits' Guide and The Almost Impossible Gameshow. Blindboy also campaigns in support of a variety of social issues, including male mental health.

The Gospel According to Blindboy is a surreal and genre-defying collection of short stories and visual art exploring the myths, complacencies and contradictions at the heart of modern Ireland. Covering themes ranging from love and death to sex and politics, there's a story about a girl from Tipp being kicked out of ISIS, a van powered by Cork people's accents and a man who drags a fridge on his back through Limerick. Whip-smart, provocative and animated by the author's unmistakably dark wit, it is unlike anything else you will read this year. `Mad, wild, hysterical - this is a brilliant debut.' Kevin Barry, author of Dark Lies the Island `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 `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 `If you've ever witnessed a Rubberbandits video you'll be anxious 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 blow torch. Essential, funny and disturbing.' Danny Boyle