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thelibraryofimagination's review
3.0
It has taken me a long time to write this review as I do not know how to share my opinion of it without offending the author.
So I’ll say this. This book is perfect for someone who loves ‘life in the pub', from sports, to booze, with humour, extreme vulgarity and the relationships between the people who visit - regulars and strangers alike.
This book was not for me, but that does not mean it is not a book for you.
So I’ll say this. This book is perfect for someone who loves ‘life in the pub', from sports, to booze, with humour, extreme vulgarity and the relationships between the people who visit - regulars and strangers alike.
This book was not for me, but that does not mean it is not a book for you.
snoakes7001's review
5.0
Call me shallow, but I'm a sucker for a book that starts with a bit of swearing. The opening scene, where our young narrator throws a man out of the pub, sets the tone for what is to come.
The King George is in Sutton Coldfield and, like all such pubs, it has its motley band of regulars from old boys supping their halves of mild to racist misogynist bullies swilling pints of lager. This crew of misfits form the supporting chorus to the main story - that of our hapless barman.
Aged only twenty, he's fast becoming the one thing he never wanted to be - someone who goes to work, comes home, gets drunk, wakes up with a hangover and starts the whole sorry cycle all over again. He's feckless, self-absorbed, obsessed with his ex Gemma and always late for work, but he's also endearingly naive, shy and self-conscious.
When Amy, an attractive student, comes to work at the King George during her summer break, he senses the possibility of a new start. And as his 21st birthday approaches, he tries to work out who he wants to be and what it is that he actually wants out of life.
It's a cracking story and well told, with a bunch of characters who could easily have walked out of your local. The post-teenage navel-gazing is lightened by some truly comic set pieces, as well as some real pathos courtesy of the dramas in the drinkers' lives. The novel flits between the present and the past as we look back over his year behind the bar and learn what happened to end his relationship with Gemma.
The King George is in Sutton Coldfield and, like all such pubs, it has its motley band of regulars from old boys supping their halves of mild to racist misogynist bullies swilling pints of lager. This crew of misfits form the supporting chorus to the main story - that of our hapless barman.
Aged only twenty, he's fast becoming the one thing he never wanted to be - someone who goes to work, comes home, gets drunk, wakes up with a hangover and starts the whole sorry cycle all over again. He's feckless, self-absorbed, obsessed with his ex Gemma and always late for work, but he's also endearingly naive, shy and self-conscious.
When Amy, an attractive student, comes to work at the King George during her summer break, he senses the possibility of a new start. And as his 21st birthday approaches, he tries to work out who he wants to be and what it is that he actually wants out of life.
It's a cracking story and well told, with a bunch of characters who could easily have walked out of your local. The post-teenage navel-gazing is lightened by some truly comic set pieces, as well as some real pathos courtesy of the dramas in the drinkers' lives. The novel flits between the present and the past as we look back over his year behind the bar and learn what happened to end his relationship with Gemma.
faysieh's review
4.0
This will not be everyone's preferred beverage but for me as a reader who likes to keep an open mind, (fresh air is always good for ridding the middle aged brain of too many cobwebs), this was an exciting debut about finding oneself, or not, in a pub-based coming of age tale.
It is funny, irreverent, littered with colourful language, and rather than cheese and onion flavoured, it is seasoned with a West Midlands dialect which only serves to add authenticity to the dialogue and characters' thoughts and actions.
Behind the bar of The King George is Unnamed Narrator, a 20 year old male in search of self confidence, a girlfriend and a Life. Trouble is, no matter how hard he searches, hangovers allowing, and not before lunchtime, he just cannot get his hands on those elusive attributes which will catch him a gorgeous girl and help him know what to say to the very eclectic mix of regulars that keep having their glasses topped up.
The novel explores the thinking process of a young man who lacks ambition and is incredibly aimless. He hasn't a clue how everyone knows more than he does and he is terrified of doing or saying the wrong thing. This makes the reader feel a mixture of part empathy and part frustration. As a mother I wanted to hug him and shake him in equal measure.
Not being a frequenter of pubs, it is a testament to the power of Mr Hand's writing that I could picture the hostelry, picture the customers and live alongside them as they discuss life and partake of all the pub has to offer, or not. It was as if I was skulking unseen, (I certainly would not have wanted to be actively involved!) somewhere in the depths of the slightly (but only just so) more civilised Lounge.
The characters are diverse and awful and funny and shameless and drunk, and yet Unnamed Young Man seems to look up to many of them for their money, their brawn and their effortless ability to tell stories, complain and keep a conversation going.
Ideal for anyone who is missing their regular due to pandemic enforced lockdowns or anyone who wishes to recall their misspent youth, this book is for you. I was always way too sensible, serious and determined to succeed to truly identify with a single character in this book, but this absolutely did not detract from my enjoyment of it and I did not need to call Time before I read the last word.
Thank you to Shaun Hand, the publisher and the people at Pigeonhole for an entertaining read.
It is funny, irreverent, littered with colourful language, and rather than cheese and onion flavoured, it is seasoned with a West Midlands dialect which only serves to add authenticity to the dialogue and characters' thoughts and actions.
Behind the bar of The King George is Unnamed Narrator, a 20 year old male in search of self confidence, a girlfriend and a Life. Trouble is, no matter how hard he searches, hangovers allowing, and not before lunchtime, he just cannot get his hands on those elusive attributes which will catch him a gorgeous girl and help him know what to say to the very eclectic mix of regulars that keep having their glasses topped up.
The novel explores the thinking process of a young man who lacks ambition and is incredibly aimless. He hasn't a clue how everyone knows more than he does and he is terrified of doing or saying the wrong thing. This makes the reader feel a mixture of part empathy and part frustration. As a mother I wanted to hug him and shake him in equal measure.
Not being a frequenter of pubs, it is a testament to the power of Mr Hand's writing that I could picture the hostelry, picture the customers and live alongside them as they discuss life and partake of all the pub has to offer, or not. It was as if I was skulking unseen, (I certainly would not have wanted to be actively involved!) somewhere in the depths of the slightly (but only just so) more civilised Lounge.
The characters are diverse and awful and funny and shameless and drunk, and yet Unnamed Young Man seems to look up to many of them for their money, their brawn and their effortless ability to tell stories, complain and keep a conversation going.
Ideal for anyone who is missing their regular due to pandemic enforced lockdowns or anyone who wishes to recall their misspent youth, this book is for you. I was always way too sensible, serious and determined to succeed to truly identify with a single character in this book, but this absolutely did not detract from my enjoyment of it and I did not need to call Time before I read the last word.
Thank you to Shaun Hand, the publisher and the people at Pigeonhole for an entertaining read.
laurahastoomanywips's review
4.0
This a sort of "coming of age" type book, set in an old fashioned pub, The George, in Sutton (West Midlands) and tells the tale of the narrator as he ruminates about his time at college, his ex girlfriend, Gemma and what he wants to do in life. He also describes the clientele (very unique and interesting) and the goings on in the pub. The descriptions of the characters are well done and vivid as well as the aimlessness felt by the narrator.
Would recommend this to anyone who has worked or still works in the pub trade or in my case bookmakers as some of the characters are similar to those I came across there.
There is scope for a sequel due to the way the book ended.
Read and enjoyed via The Pigeonhole with thanks to them and the author for the opportunity.
Would recommend this to anyone who has worked or still works in the pub trade or in my case bookmakers as some of the characters are similar to those I came across there.
There is scope for a sequel due to the way the book ended.
Read and enjoyed via The Pigeonhole with thanks to them and the author for the opportunity.
fionamccallum154's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this due to the great character descriptions and realism. Ending was the right one as fitted in perfectly with the whole story. Hoping for a follow up book
claire1044's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missredreads20's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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