Andrew Fitzpatrick

Strictly Legal Andrew Fitzpatrick

"Strictly Legal" and is set in the South West Dublin of 2002, a period of time which may seem not so long ago, but on closer inspection can appear a very different world to what we are living today. The novel is a subversive and anarchically humorous piece of writing, yet depicts a society and generation which is sliding rapidly into a cultural quagmire. The principal narrator is a sixteen year old boy by the name of "Dosser Doyle". Dosser is an entrepreneur in a very unique way. He grows and fabricates one hundred per cent legal "life enhancers" which he then sells as a "blood free alternative" to the mainstream illegal drugs available on the city's streets. Dosser considers himself to be an ambassador of morality and sees his business as a very worthwhile crusade against the tide of rising drug crime. Of course in reality, these reasons are shown to be superficial at best as it becomes clear that Dosser's main concerns are pure devilment and his activities are predominately a means of expressing his personal sense of otherness and his rejection of the generally accepted state of affairs in youth culture. In this way, the book deals with a kind of double subversion. The drug world which is supposed to be a subversive force in society is actually shown to be an established order, while Dosser then attempts to subvert this culture in order to express his individuality. Dosser is joined in his endeavours by his best friend "Tarzan" and an older associate "Gobber Gilsenan". These two characters are the secondary narrators in the novel and have their own idiosyncrasies which should become evident on reading their stories. Ultimately the belief system which Dosser promulgates will be undermined by those closest to him and he will end the novel in a state of disillusionment culminating in a crushing demise.