The Divine Ryans

In this beloved, bestselling novel which has been unavailable for some time, young Draper Doyle Ryan tries to come to terms with the mysterious death of his father as he struggles, in touching, comic fashion, with budding adolescence and the strange demands of his proudly eccentric family.

When first published in 1990, The Divine Ryans received unanimous critical praise and won the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award; Wayne Johnston himself was hailed as one of Canada's most distinctive comic talents.

Also available in Germany as De Gottlichen Ryans (Hoffman and Campe 2000)
Available in the Netherlands as De goddelijke Ryans (de Geus 2001)

"[Johnston] oudoes both W. P. Kinsella and Paul Quarrington. His rink of dreams is a mixture of mystery, hilarity, pain and occasional flashes of understanding." -- London Free Press

"Wonderful...Wayne Johnston is one of the most entertaining writers in Canada, endlessly inventive, with a marvelous sense of pacing." -- The Canadian Forum

"Johnston is an authentic comic genius...His timing and pacing are impeccable. He knows how to...create laughter out of a wonderful mixture of emotions." -- Montreal Gazette

"A very funny and fulfilling read." -- The Globe and Mail

"Divine reading indeed...a work of art in its powerful handling of everyday humour and sublime tragedy." -- St. John's Sunday Express

"An absolute stunner - achingly funny, needle sharp and packing an unexpected wallop...the literary equivalent of a small budget movie masterpiece with heart, soul and brains" -- Time Out (UK)

"Most compelling...an assured, touching comedy." -- Edmonton Journal

"Johnston is well on his way to becoming the most distinctive comic talent this country has produced since Mordecai Richler." -- Montreal Gazette

"Johnston's books are beautifully written and among the funniest I have ever read." -- Annie Dillard

"Sidesplitting...This gem of a book crackles with black Irish humour while gently touching the heart." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A practically perfect comic novel, filled with superbly observed characters...and enriched by the author's keen understanding of the family unit as both sanctuary and madhouse. Johnston is really, really good." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Wayne Johnston is Canada's Roddy Doyle." -- Anne-Marie McDonald