A Spot of Bother (Vintage)
by Mark Haddon
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Book Reviews of A Spot of Bother (Vintage)
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: Hard to put your finger on
Summary: 4 Stars
I did laugh out loud twice (which is rare for me when reading) and though I wouldn't go as far as to describe it as 'riotously funny' I could certainly see the humour amongst the madness throughout the book.
To start with I almost felt depressed myself at how miserable all the characters were. Not one of them seemed content with their life. There was just something about it though that kept me wanting to pick it up and read on and thankfully, about half way through each of them started to admit their discontent to themselves and actually do something about it.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable, expect maybe Jamie and Ray who were maybe the more balanced of them all.
I've given it four stars because I did like it and it was certainly more amusing than some 'domestic drama' books I've read but it's hard to put my finger on what I actually liked...maybe the fact that they weren't MY family!
Book Review: An Entertaining Read
Summary: 3 Stars
I almost stopped reading the book when George cuts off his imagined cancer (it would make most readers queasy); yet I'm glad I remained loyal to Haddon's book. Both comical and tragic--as are our own lives--this story has the qualities of an enjoyable plot. As with his other novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, A Spot of Bother has quirky, witty, flawed characters. What I love about these characters is their realization of their own imperfections. While some, like George, may try to eradicate these flaws, in the end they embrace them.
This novel depicts a family's desires to forgive themselves and to forgive others in order to continue living their lives. The story was entertaining and somewhat philosophical, but I found the vividness of the self-surgery scene unnecessary. Haddon continues his tradition of misunderstood characters, but I prefer The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
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.