Plot Summary

The Woman Who Walked Into Doors

Roddy Doyle
Guide cover placeholder

The Woman Who Walked Into Doors

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996

Book Brief

Roddy Doyle

The Woman Who Walked Into Doors

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dublin, Ireland • 1990s

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

440L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle follows Paula Spencer, a survivor of domestic abuse, as she recounts her childhood, relationship with her abusive husband Charlo, and the impact of this violence on her family. The narrative, set in early 1990s Ireland, examines patterns of love and brutality while depicting Spencer's struggle with alcoholism and her attempts to protect her children. The novel addresses domestic violence, rape, and substance abuse.

Gritty

Emotional

Melancholic

Challenging

Dark

Reviews & Readership

3.9

11,860 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Roddy Doyle’s The Woman Who Walked Into Doors presents a gripping narrative marked by raw emotion and poignant storytelling. Praised for its authentic voice and deep character insight, it also faces criticism for its harrowing depiction of domestic violence. Overall, Doyle’s compelling prose makes it a powerful, though challenging, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Woman Who Walked Into Doors?

Readers who appreciate The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle are typically drawn to poignant, character-driven narratives dealing with complex emotional and social issues. Fans of Alice Walker's The Color Purple or Toni Morrison's Beloved will likely find Doyle's portrayal of resilience and personal struggle compelling and relatable.

3.9

11,860 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dublin, Ireland • 1990s

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

440L

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!