A Spot of Bother (Vintage) by Mark Haddon
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.62 You Save: $11.38 (76%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of A Spot of Bother (Vintage)
Book Review: Ignore the Creepy Cover
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of a British family on the brink: a father slowly going crazy because he finds a spot of eczema he is convinced is cancer, a mother who has entered into an affair, a daughter considering a second marriage to man she does not really respect, and a son still struggling with his sexual identity and his parents' acceptance. The members of this family are thrown together time and time again as they sort through their issues and figure out how to deal with one another. Haddon's book is a stroke of brilliance when it comes to character development and while I would not describe this novel as "action packed," it progresses at a lovely, enjoyable pace.
I was completely engrossed and entertained in this story, watching these characters dance around one another in a way that is sometimes sad, but often bordering on unabashed hilarity. The cover of this book is, well creepy, but do not let it put you off because there is a wonderful, satisfying novel just behind it. This is a book about a British family from a British author so be aware that there are some terms and phrases that will likely be unfamiliar to non-British audiences. However, there are not enough instances to make it distracting. Rip off that cover if necessary, but Haddon's novel is a gem.
Book Review: Funny, touching, well written
Summary: 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed A Curious Incident and am happy to report that I enjoyed this book almost as much. This is the story of a family, told from the thoughts of each. George is convinced he has cancer; we know at least that he's going mad. Jean is wondering how to keep up her affair with George's former colleague now that George is retired and around the house more. Katie is going full steam ahead with plans to marry Ray, but is starting to share her family's hesitations. Jamie agonizes over his relationship with his boyfriend Tony and how he doesn't want to bring him to the wedding.
The whole family is messed up and shallow, but slowly, with each very short chapter, we come to love them as much as we see they love one another. All the inner monologues are hilarious and ring true to each character, but George is especially well drawn. I really got the impression I was inside a madman's head!
The plot hums along too, as we speed toward Katie and Ray's on again, off again wedding. I found this book entertaining and skillfully written -- this family really puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional!"
Book Review: The MBC Abbreviated Review
Summary: 5 Stars
The book, A Spot of Bother, by Mark Haddon, focuses on a novice retiree, George, the 61-years-old tyro who was struggling to shape up his new life. The author, a young gifted bloke, 46 years old to be exact, thinks through his characters' mind-sets like a surgeon incisively and produces a delightful novel. Mr. Bloom, presenting an abbreviated analysis of the book, discussed the relevance of all those ravishing characters: Jean, Katie, Jamie, Tony, and the funny pig-shaped notepad on the phone table; and, of course distraught George: here he ponders the role of Christianity in his life:
He looks around at the stained-glass lambs and the scale model of the crucified Christ and thought how ridiculous it all was, this desert religion transported wholesale to the English shires. Bank managers and P.E. teachers listening to stories about zithers and smiting and barley bread as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The book, humorous and entertainiing, was a big success in our book club.
Book Review: This is my favorite book!I love Mark Haddon!
Summary: 5 Stars
To start off the storyline did not attract me at all,but i loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,(Brilliant book)and figured I'll give it shot,and i was so happy i did!At first i only liked Jamie but the more and more i read i started to fall for the rest of the Hall Family were i get concered and want them to pull thro their problems,it was funny,and it gave me the ending i wanted(AND MORE!^,,^)without being cheesy,Mark Haddon has a gift for writting and at times make me put the book down and seriously think about what he's saying the depth of it when i think "Yeah this guy gets it,"
2 B honest the slang wasn't hard to get if uv read harry potter u wont feel lost and if u havent u can tell by the emotions and wat the characters are saying and what their doing and the slang isn't really important.Neway Amazing book I'd recommend this to family,friends,strangers,enemies,shemales,robots and the such.
Book Review: A riotously funny look into the lives of ordinary people
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has been criticized by some reviewers because its characters are too ordinary. This is the very quality that makes the book such a delight for me. The book exposes a family dealing with aging and retirement, a homosexual son, marriage and relationship difficulties and the opinions of the world around them. The dilemmas faced by these ordinary characters are familiar to us all, but Haddon's humorous and insightful treatment of them can be quite thought-provoking.
The book is riotously funny. Haddon's metaphors and similes alone will have you in stitches and dying to try them out yourself to show what a witty conversationalist you are. Let me give you an example:
"George could do the bluff repartee about cars and sport if pressed. But it was like being a sheep in the nativity play".
A thoroughly enjoyable read. You will finish it in a few nights.