Customer Reviews: Read 128 more reviews...
 OK but not exactly brilliant November 25, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is alright to read if you are bored lying in bed with a cold and want a light and easy book. Some of the writing is quite good to an extent in terms of humour. On the other hand, I did not warm myself to the characters at all. For most of the novel they actually seemed quite unfriendly. This may be biased but I got the feeling that if they were real and I spoke to them, insults would be spewing from every nerve connection in their brains and they would give me that long, hard, cold 'are you a cretin or something' stare. The character of George I felt slightly sorry for; no wonder he is cutting himself with scissors considering the kind of family he has, even if he is a hypochondriac. Jean is the kind of woman you feel like telling to grow up and actually try talking to her husband about what is wrong with him from the very beginning instead of worrying over whether she will get time to sleep with her lover. Katie acts like a stroppy teenager for most of the story. I particularly didn't like Jamie as he comes across as self-absorbed and conceited and got the impression he looks down on his family (except for Katie perhaps). In my opinion, Ray seemed to be the only character who is genuinely kind because he means it. I would say Katie's family are too snobby for him. Not to mention too wrapped up in their own lives to care for anyone else.
On the whole, dislike the characters (although I will say towards the end they became a bit more likeable- I do understand that not everyone in the world is nicey nicey but the Haddon's depiction was a tad pessimistic). Writing is not too bad -quite funny in most parts, but is nowhere near as insightful and intelligent as the Curious Incident. As I said before, only read it if you have no other book by the bedside table.
 A spot is bothering them... November 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The painful anatomy of a family, with a funny side to it. And for those who, like me, have already read and appreciated `The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time', this is a very different book by the same author.
George, the father, has retired and seems content with his pressure-free life. His wife Jean is mightily distracted by some private matters and the organization of the wedding reception for their daughter Katie, who is getting married for the second time. Her parents disapprove of Ray, the future son-in-law and Katie herself is starting to have doubts. Does she want to marry Ray because she loves him or because he seems to be a very good and reliable provider for herself and her son Jacob? Meanwhile Jamie, Katie's brother, is having problems with his boyfriend Tony. His parents are aware of the relationship but an invitation to the wedding seems inappropriate given the fact that none of the other relatives/friends know about Jamie's homosexuality. Jamie himself is not sure whether he wants Tony to come to the wedding or not.
The buzz & fuzz of the wedding preparation go almost unnoticed by George, however, as he discovers a problem on his body. Almost simultaneously and by pure coincidence, an entirely different matter, of a different nature but very disturbing indeed, comes to light. Unbeknownst to all, he starts to slowly disintegrate psychologically.
Among the tragicity of some of the episodes, the author was able to combine the intricacies of the mind and soul of the Hall family, with an easy and accessible narrative. Many hilarious and funny moments dot this novel without lessening the emotional impact. Very well done.
 Funny, real, preposterous. October 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a superb novel about a group of characters that might just be real but clearly are not. Haddon is able to write to produce a whole gamut of reactions, from amusement to stomach-churning. His characters fill a whole host of societal boxes: mentally ill, homosexual, single mother, adulteress. They are at the same time completely real and completely preposterous.
Don't approach this as a social commentary, nor as representing reality. Relax and be let yourself be taken along with their journey, through the many short chapters (encouraging you to read just one more, just another, until before you know it you're through). Forget also what else Haddon has written - this is not supposed to be set against his previous works, and comparison of such different works is unfair.
Clearly, judging by some reviews here, this book isn't for everybody; but I would have been happy if it had continued for a further 144 chapters.
Captivating.
 POOR September 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm sorry to say I couldn't get into this book. The writing is poor, the characters are forgetable and it all drags on...until I finally gave up reading it halfway through.
Enjoyable but unremarkable September 24, 2008
It took me a while to get into this book...about 200 pages to be more accurate.
The 'plot' took some time to develop but one could say it was worthwhile. On the surface, this is a pretty normal family...noted that some say the way these characters emerge is a bit cliched and could be compared to a TV sitcom - the feisty daughter, the gay son, the hand-wringing wife, a dopey and cuckolded husband.
However, I found the way the author dealt with these issues intelligent, and although simply worded, quite profound in places. Indeed, there were some amusing vignettes which I wish I'd written down whilst reading as it would involve a re-reading to find them again! The descent into mental illness/hypochondria/depression/whatever you want to call it of George was especially well dealt with and gives someone an idea of how it may be to live with someone going through this if one hasn't experienced it before.
The book has an underlying humour but the issues are all real and some specifically raw. I sometimes found myself guiltily chuckling at parts that perhaps were really not amusing at all.
Criticisms are that the book, at 500 pages, is arguably too long for what is essentially an elongated family episode. Also, to be picky, I found Jacob's language a bit unrealistic for what I presume was a 3/4 year old.
Overall, stick with it and you might find yourself rewarded and having learnt something (specifically the 'illness' of George).
Not something I would re-read or a book that would stick in my mind..if there were a 3.5 stars, it would have got that, but 4 is too generous and 3 is probably fair.
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