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bart_gunn's review against another edition
4.0
Hubert is a wonderful character and deserves to be represented in film. Ensure to have a dictionary to hand as I have never read a book that had so many new words I have never previously encountered
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of fun. Feels a little of-its-time, but not necessarily dated. Very strong, convincing voice (better than Amis, with whose early work this book (particularly the earlier parts) must often be compared). Curiously inspiring. Get zet.
ellaaatp's review against another edition
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
itssamu's review against another edition
1.0
Never in its 300 pages did I believe that any of what was written. It never even got to the point that I was able to suspend my disbelief. It was just words on paper.
radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition
3.0
Fischer's sharp from the first sentence and never holds back. A self-proclaimed lay-about (who's doctorate in philosophy from Cambridge does nothing to protect him from mayhem for most of his life), Eddie Coffin begins his journey into midlife crisis with a bang: he is found by one eyed sociopath Hubert who's prosthetic leg and hand don't stop him from being seriously violent, and driven to bump off French banks for an easy Franc (published before the Euro). Sound like a Guy Ritchie film yet?
Our fat, balding middle aged man doesn't just loose his way into bank robbing like some other hapless novel's protagonist; he's the kind of guy that's been using ancient philosophy and argument as a means to all sorts of drama. The novel bounces back through Coffin's past for crazed interludes, just in case you thought that bank robbery would be the height of Coffin's illegalities. He may be a genius, but Coffin's ceaseless cynicism and lack of ambition have landed him in heaps of trouble that seem to get more unbelievable with Hubert and Coffin's amped up heists!
The situational comedy abounds. Imagine the bank robbers walk in and lecture you on philosophical theory before calmly strolling out with all the cash. Imagine a football match: cops vs crooks. If you haven't been imagining a chubby Jason Statham in the newest Guy Ritchie, it's because you haven't read this book.
Fischer's quick with his word play; every sentence is a bomb of sarcastic wit that will make you laugh. The formatting (philosophical argumentation) serves up sarcasm by the slab. It's pure entertainment. I found it to be a bit of a cold novel, though. I'm confident that my ranking of this novel has more to do with my state of mind than the novel itself. It's a fast paced read that should never have taken me a week to read.
Our fat, balding middle aged man doesn't just loose his way into bank robbing like some other hapless novel's protagonist; he's the kind of guy that's been using ancient philosophy and argument as a means to all sorts of drama. The novel bounces back through Coffin's past for crazed interludes, just in case you thought that bank robbery would be the height of Coffin's illegalities. He may be a genius, but Coffin's ceaseless cynicism and lack of ambition have landed him in heaps of trouble that seem to get more unbelievable with Hubert and Coffin's amped up heists!
The situational comedy abounds. Imagine the bank robbers walk in and lecture you on philosophical theory before calmly strolling out with all the cash. Imagine a football match: cops vs crooks. If you haven't been imagining a chubby Jason Statham in the newest Guy Ritchie, it's because you haven't read this book.
Fischer's quick with his word play; every sentence is a bomb of sarcastic wit that will make you laugh. The formatting (philosophical argumentation) serves up sarcasm by the slab. It's pure entertainment. I found it to be a bit of a cold novel, though. I'm confident that my ranking of this novel has more to do with my state of mind than the novel itself. It's a fast paced read that should never have taken me a week to read.
testpattern's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the saddest, funniest, and wisest books I have ever read. A washed-up hack of a philosophy professor goes on a bank robbing spree in france with a hapless small-time crook, using a different conceit derived from the history of philosophy to structure each job. Hilarity ensues.
1347296's review against another edition
2.0
So many astounding snippets, one-liners, and moments; really, the best book I didn't enjoy.
Fischer is usually a favorite, but I think he was overly nostalgic for Hungarian wordplay while writing this. Or possibly attempting to fill the apparent vacant philosophy chair without having to fill out an application
Fischer is usually a favorite, but I think he was overly nostalgic for Hungarian wordplay while writing this. Or possibly attempting to fill the apparent vacant philosophy chair without having to fill out an application
holiszjoanna's review against another edition
5.0
'Why endure verticality when you can be horizontal?'
mssarahmorgan's review
2.0
i liked the story, but i found the style kind of annoying. his first book, [book: Under the Frog] was brilliant, though.