Tom Sharpe

My love of  Tom Sharpe's books comes from my first 15 years of working life and a daily train commute. If you have ever read funny parts of books in public places and tried not to laugh aloud,  Sharpe beat me, on so many occasions I am sure there were many sharing the carriage with me who must have thought I was bonkers.

Sharpe wrote for forty years from 1971 and became extremely popular, writing his landmark books in the 70’s and 80’s. His books have had several TV adaptions, 'Blott on the Landscape’ (David Suchet), ‘Porterhouse Blue’ (David Jason) and ‘Wilt’ (Griff Rhys Jones and Will Smith). All enjoyable but none of my favourites as the ones I loved were so outrageous and controversial that they would not be able to be filmed. 

This description of Sharpe is exactly why I liked him "Tom Sharpe is very funny – but exceptionally vulgar, crude and offensive.” His was slapstick humour, think of a well-known and much-loved Torquay hotel manager and think of books filled with many such larger-than-life over blown characters.

My three personal choices of his books would be the two set in South Africa, ‘Riotous Assembly’ and ‘Indecent Exposure’ where Sharpe rips into the apartheid he discovered while working there as a social worker and teacher in the 1970’s. If you have anything like my sense of humour these books will have you in tears. Still, for me ‘The Throwback’ is the one I will never forget, a book about the most absurd man born into the most absurd family and raised in a world of entitlement and privilege with such little knowledge of life beyond his own. Then later in life the gift of all gifts Jacob Rees-Mogg came along and personified the character for me. 

I have not re-visited the books in years to see if they pass the test of time ,  what I remember though is the fabulous laughter at the time I read them.

We often hear the question “Who would you most like to have dinner with (non-family)?” I have consistently said Tom Sharpe as I could only dream that he was as funny and entertaining in person as in his books. He does look a little cheeky in the picture below. 👍📚😉📖☕

'Verity' - Colleen Hoover

This is a fast-paced book with a one- or two-day reading time. For me, the end or something similar to it was clear from quite early on, yet so many reviews I have read talk of how clever and unpredictable it was. The other reviewers cannot be familiar with the, just as you thought that the story is over a big bombshell will land type of story. When I first suspected the final plot twist, I was reminded of the excellent 80’s film ‘Jagged Edge’ which it proved was a good comparison.

The storyline itself has enormous potential throughout, our heroes Jeremy and Lowen (Low) are bought to live together while Low becomes the ghostwriter to the title character Verity who lives upstairs supposedly in a coma and has two books to complete. The sexual attraction between Jeremy and Low grows and grows but equally so do the strange sightings of Verity within the house with Jeremy's son Crew telling us that he had talked to mummy and waved to her, Low is convinced that she had felt Verity looking at her, which the medical people would say was impossible.

All the good in the book and it is good, what cannot be left unsaid is how sexually explicit it is, think ‘Fifty Shades’ but even more descriptive. The title character writes obsessively that great sex equals love and the thing that holds love together. We then read many times blow by blow what great sex is suggested to be with no filter. This is quite clever on the author's part as she is putting some distance between herself and the words as they are all Verity's words, she then adds distance again by saying these are not even Verity's words but those of Verity in character. For those who like shock and awe, you may well like this book. Ms. Hoover has decided she is going to author a very sexy book with the idea that the explicitness is a vital part of the plot and fits the narrative. It could be argued that a more subtle approach would have also fit the narrative and could have made the book sexier with the idea sometimes less is more and the imagination is more of a tease than just writing like your work is going to be in some top-shelf magazine placed next to some bare all pictures.

I understand why it is a bestseller but to deliver the story it did it could, should the author had wanted been done so much better and even sexier. She went for the money.

Mark out of ten - 7

 

'Fevre Dream' - George R.R Martin

This book caught me by surprise, for around eighty pages I found it frustratingly cliched and I could easily have given up, but then, a chapter that completely changed the dynamic of the book and set the tone for a fast-paced intriguing drama. Two incredibly different characters one a journeyman steamboat Captain and the other a reformist vampire 'Bloodmaster" form an unlikely partnership that steers them head on to the choices between good and evil.

Abner Marsh and Joshua York form a partnership the strength of which time and time again Abner our steamboat Captain becomes extremely cautious of. With the partnership near breaking point we have a scene where Joshua our vampire must tell Abner the whole truth to allow things to continue, what follows is an incredibly well-told story of his evolution from vampire boy to a century old 'Bloodmaster'. You feel Joshuas mental dilemma in deciding that the need to reveal his story out ways the risk, but also you get a real insight into the intelligence, logic and reasoning of Abner.

We meet incredibly evil characters throughout not all are vampires. Along with being a great story it also explores questions like whether it is possible to change our nature because it’s the right thing to do. The abolitionist movement in America, and how we treat out fellow man.

From the author who went on to give the world ‘Game of Thrones' this 1982 story is an excellent way to start to explore R.R. Martins other works.

 

Marks out of ten 8.5

'Still Life' - Louise Penny

I recently had the pleasure of delving into Louise Penny's "Still Life," our book club's chosen novel for the month. Gripped by the narrative, I managed to complete it in just two sittings.

The story unfolds with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team from the Surêté du Québec being called to the scene of a suspicious death in the tranquil village of Three Pines, situated south of Montreal. Chief Inspector Gamache, our initial encounter with whom paints him as an intriguing and intelligent man, leads the investigation. Throughout the book, we discover that his crime-solving prowess stems from a profound understanding of people, their nature, and the intricacies of their daily lives.

The victim in question is Jane Neal, an elderly and cherished resident of Three Pines, discovered lifeless in the woods. Despite the locals attributing her demise to a tragic hunting accident, Gamache harbours doubts and is soon convinced that Jane Neal met with foul play—she was murdered.

"Still Life" boasts a stellar cast of eccentric, complex, and endearing characters, with Clara playing a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative. The story introduces numerous suspects, some prompting exclamations of disbelief while others elicit a strong desire for their guilt. Throughout the book, it becomes evident that nearly every character harbours layers of secrets—some innocent, others decidedly dark.

In keeping with the mystery genre, divulging too much would spoil the intrigue. Suffice it to say, "Still Life" is a delightful mystery that kept me guessing until the very end—a puzzle I did not manage to solve.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie

‘And Then There Were None’ is a refreshing standalone novel by Christie that steers away from the normal snobbery found in her other works. The well-crafted characters of this story boast clear and captivating backstories, enhancing the overall narrative. It's no surprise that this is Christie's best-selling book, given its compact yet impactful storytelling.

 

The brevity of the book does not diminish it in any way; in fact, it packs a powerful punch, making it a compelling read. The influence of this suspenseful tale is evident in its widespread impact on literature, film, and theatre.

 

However, one drawback lays with the missed opportunity for guests to question which of them had the finances required to fund the devious plan, costs such as the island rental, and the cash incentives paid to get other guests to attend. If they had asked that it would have narrowed down the possibilities of discovering Mr U.N.Owen's real identity. Additionally, the dated attitudes and language used throughout the story may feel old-world to modern readers' sensibilities.

 

Marks out of 10 - 8.5

'The People on Platform 5' by Clare Pooley

We are invited to board the daily commuter train from Hampton Court to Waterloo Station, where ordinary lives intersect in unexpected ways. While the premise promises intrigue and human connection, the execution leaves so much to be desired and what we get are:

Predictable Plot Twists:  Sanjay and Emmie’s eventual union? Foreseeable from the moment they shared that grape-induced Heimlich manoeuvre. Toby’s betrayal? As transparent as the train windows. It’s as if the author handed us a timetable of events, and we obediently followed along.

Convenient Resolutions: The story unfolds with the precision of a Swiss watch. Every character’s predicament—be it love, career, or personal growth—magically resolves itself. Candida’s greed? Predictable. Martha’s quirky existence in a David Attenborough-inspired world? Amusing, but hardly surprising. Even the weather cooperates as if the clouds themselves conspired for a happy conclusion.

Iona and Bea: Iona and Bea’s friendship shines like a beacon amongst the mundane. Their bond, forged over shared secrets and dog walks, tugs at our heartstrings. Their last chapter, filled with warmth and acceptance, is the novel’s saving grace. But alas, it’s a solitary oasis in a desert of predictability.

Lost Opportunities: The train platform becomes a missed opportunity— What about the grumpy ticket collector with a hidden past? Or the mysterious woman who always wears mismatched socks? These characters remain mere sketches, their potential untapped.

Candida’s One-Dimensional Greed: The money-grabbing antagonist embodies clichés. Her motivations are as transparent as the train windows. We yearn for complexity, and shades of grey, she remains resolutely black-and-white.

Final Thoughts: The book chugs along predictably, its wheels firmly on the rails. While some moments sparkle—a stolen glance, a shared umbrella—the overall journey lacks the thrill of unexpected detours. In summary, the novel offers comfort and familiarity. For those seeking literary surprises, this platform may not be the right stop. 🚂📖

Marks out of 10 a lucky 5

'The Sisters' by Claire Douglas

 

This book left me disappointed on so many fronts.  

Firstly, the book relies heavily on a juvenile fascination with the physical attractiveness of its characters, which at times feels gratuitous and lacks depth.  

The novel's emphasis on the importance of outward beauty perpetuates a shallow perspective, detracting from the potential depth and complexity that could have enriched the storyline. We have a story where the main characters are all body beautiful anyone else hardly worth a mention. Body shaming and negative role models for young women very much came to my mind.   

Although the dynamic of the relationship of twins should be an interesting topic all the negatives of the book prevented it from being so.  

The relationship between Ben and Bea mirrored very much the dynamics of the film ‘Cruel Intentions,’ which lacks originality and contributes to a sense of predictability throughout the book.  

 The repetitive nature of the interactions among Ben, Bea, and Abi, especially within the context of their romantic entanglements and cruelty to one another, diminishes the overall narrative quality and fails to bring meaningful developments to the forefront.   

Furthermore, the story takes an improbable turn with an ending that allows someone to evade the consequences of attempted murder solely because of love. This unrealistic resolution erodes the story's credibility, as it seems implausible that Abi's parents, among others, would not seek justice for such a serious crime.  

‘The Sisters’ presents a narrative fraught with shallow characters and a tired exploration of love and competition, all of this left me wanting more substance and originality.  

Marks out of ten – A generous 4