Life is a Funny Business: A Very Personal Story

In Life is a Funny Business Alan Shatter revisits his early life experiences and explores how he was shaped and influenced by them.

For the first time he describes the tragedy and comedy in his family history and background, depicted through the lens of an Irish Jewish boy growing up in 1950s and 60s Dublin, and his insights as a member of Ireland’s small Jewish community.

His story travels through the Ireland of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and his early years of social and political activism and experiences as a lawyer. It ends shortly after Christmas 1981, just over six months following his first election to Dail Eireann at the age of thirty. It also touches on some more recent events of social, political and historical significance linked to his past. His surprising and perceptive narrative uniquely depicts an Ireland of decades partially forgotten, profound changes that have taken place, incidents and events he has not previously publicly discussed and how he coped with childhood adversity.

Alan’s deeply moving and thoughtful story reveals the real person behind the public figure and what shaped his values, beliefs, character and self-deprecating sense of humour. It is a story of love, laughter, tears and resilience.