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9th out of 24 books
—
22 voters
The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher
by
Doug MacLeod
"You must think it strange that I'm digging up my grandfather."
"Not at all. I'm sure many young men dig up their grandfathers."
Thomas Timewell is sixteen and a gentleman. When he meets a body-snatcher called Plenitude, his whole life changes. He is pursued by cutthroats, a tattooed gypsy with a meat cleaver, and even the Grim Reaper. More disturbing still, Thomas has to sp...more
"Not at all. I'm sure many young men dig up their grandfathers."
Thomas Timewell is sixteen and a gentleman. When he meets a body-snatcher called Plenitude, his whole life changes. He is pursued by cutthroats, a tattooed gypsy with a meat cleaver, and even the Grim Reaper. More disturbing still, Thomas has to sp...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
June 28th 2010
by Penguin
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This is my second Doug MacLeod book (the first one I read was "I'm Being Stalked By a MoonShadow"), and although they are completely different, his style is still the same.
The writing itself was fantastic, it had dark moments then light moments and there was a cast of wit and sarcasm all over it. The characters were brilliantly portrayed.
We had Thomas Timewell with his opium-addicted mother and his 14-year-old-brother who has moved into a mansion and is running his own business. There are also T...more
The writing itself was fantastic, it had dark moments then light moments and there was a cast of wit and sarcasm all over it. The characters were brilliantly portrayed.
We had Thomas Timewell with his opium-addicted mother and his 14-year-old-brother who has moved into a mansion and is running his own business. There are also T...more
Jan 02, 2013
Jessica
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
confronting,
danger,
death,
drugs,
entertainment,
fantastic-plot,
grim-reaper,
horror,
like-able-characters,
love,
murder,
mutilation,
parent-child,
religion,
survival,
young-adult,
twist
The story begins as young Thomas, a 16year old gentleman in 1828, is interrupted as he digs up his Grandfather’s fresh corpse in order to fulfil his final wish. The man who interrupted Thomas in the middle of his most unsavoury act is none other than the man who will take Thomas and his friend the kind and gentle Charlie, on the ride of their lives.
Plenitude, is a middle aged body snatcher who has secrets that will turn Thomas’s life upside down, while he breaks his own personal rules to accom...more
Ridiculously entertaining.
I didn't realize it was a comedy until I started the book. As the plot began presenting itself, the twists appeared, and the characters unveiled themselves, I started to laugh. It was just too ridiculous. And I happen to be partial to a little bit of ludicrous writing.
The characters just get more zany every minute -- from Thomas, the main character, who is undoubtedly a gentlemen at every moment, to Plentitude, the body-snatcher, and even Thomas' mother, so befuddled...more
I didn't realize it was a comedy until I started the book. As the plot began presenting itself, the twists appeared, and the characters unveiled themselves, I started to laugh. It was just too ridiculous. And I happen to be partial to a little bit of ludicrous writing.
The characters just get more zany every minute -- from Thomas, the main character, who is undoubtedly a gentlemen at every moment, to Plentitude, the body-snatcher, and even Thomas' mother, so befuddled...more
This book is one of those books that sneaks up on you unaware. The experience is something similar to going into a small and slightly average looking restaurant and being served food that just blows you away. Not, perhaps, the best meal you have ever had but one that leaves a very distinct taste in your mouth.
I have never read a black comedy before. The book is set in England in 1828 and it had a delightful humour to it that actually made me laugh out loud several times. It is such a dry style o...more
I have never read a black comedy before. The book is set in England in 1828 and it had a delightful humour to it that actually made me laugh out loud several times. It is such a dry style o...more
The Life of a Teenage Body Snatcher is a black comedy set in England in 1828 and is the 12th book written by Doug MacLeod. We meet sixteen-year-old protagonist, Thomas Timewell, on the evening of his grandfather’s funeral. Thomas' Grandfather's dying wish was for his body to be donated to science to help in the advancement of the medical and scientific fields. Like in many cases, those wishes were ignored and he was buried anyway. So, as you do, Thomas takes matters into his own hands and digs u...more
I like this book. I like its simplicity and complexity and above all, the characters. Even the extremely foul ones (with the exception of Atkins and Clemency...which is pretty much the two antagonists of the book. Whatever.)
Who knew that deciding to do the right thing could lead to such an array of amusing, confusing, heartbreaking and astonishing events?
One of the things I love about this book is the romance. Thomas's love interest, and their 'getting-together' wasn't overly emphasised or embel...more
Who knew that deciding to do the right thing could lead to such an array of amusing, confusing, heartbreaking and astonishing events?
One of the things I love about this book is the romance. Thomas's love interest, and their 'getting-together' wasn't overly emphasised or embel...more
Thomas Timewell is 16 and a gentleman. On the night of his grandfather’s funeral, he is caught by a body snatcher called Plenitude, as he tries to steal his grandfather’s body to donate it to science. Thus begins a strange and wonderful Gothic tale in the Victorian manner, as Thomas and Plenitude cross paths in a number of escapades. Throw into the mix a cast of strange and weirdly comic characters - a mad gypsy woman, who exposes her semi-naked body to the unwary, Thomas’s mother, who is addict...more
The reason I decided to read this book is because I wasn’t looking for it. I had a list of books that I wanted to read but the library didn’t have them. After giving up finding any of the books I was looking for, I began browsing the shelves. I came across this book, read the back cover and decided to get it. It sounded like the kind of book I would like to read.
This fills in the ‘A book with a male main character’ square on the bingo board. Usually I read books with characters I can relate to a...more
This fills in the ‘A book with a male main character’ square on the bingo board. Usually I read books with characters I can relate to a...more
This is kind of a difficult one to judge. There were so many scenes that were brilliantly written, but didn't really relate to the overall plot - such as practically every scene featuring Thomas' mother and her friends - that it ended up almost feeling like it was two books combined into one, neither of which were particularly satisfying in the end, because they were insufficiently fleshed out.
The characters were fantastic, and it was well written and funny throughout. But the ending felt a lit...more
The characters were fantastic, and it was well written and funny throughout. But the ending felt a lit...more
Doug Macleod is one of Australia's premier writers - full stop. From Sister Madge's Book of Nuns, through The Comedy Company and Kath & Kim, and My Incredible Life and Death, to the beautiful Siggy and Amber, Tumble Turn (swoons) and The Clockwork Forest.
The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher follows young Thomas Timewell, "sixteen and a gentleman". We meet Thomas as he is attempting to steal the newly-buried body of his grandfather. An unusual pastime for a young gentleman, you might think. An...more
The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher follows young Thomas Timewell, "sixteen and a gentleman". We meet Thomas as he is attempting to steal the newly-buried body of his grandfather. An unusual pastime for a young gentleman, you might think. An...more
When I think back on the events in the book, wading through a pool of heads, being attacked by a meat cleaver it sounds like I should have been on the edge of my seat, but I just wasn't. There were certainly plenty of unsavoury characters around while Thomas was trying to do the right thing, but by the time the mystery was solved at the end, I still hadn't realised I was meant to be trying to solve one. I think because Thomas wasn't trying to solve it either, it didn't seem like an important asp...more
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This book definitely earns its 'quirky' label, with a number of true laugh-out-loud moments. A little too pat and glib near the end, perhaps, but your mileage may vary. At times I wasn't sure if I was reading historical fiction, YA fantasy, or a fable: but can't it be all? In the end, though, any book with grave-robbing, anatomists, and jokes is alright by me. A few gross-out moments might require a little discretion or warning for very very young readers.
I like the style of the writing of this novel - the formal and witty narrative reminds me of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The dry humour is just a delight to read, and although I didn't really find the plot quite as engaging as Bradley's book, this was a lot of fun to read.
This is an amusing read with a winning hero and some convincing period detail(it is set in England in 1828. I enjoyed it but the ending felt rushed and tacked on. As if Mr. MacLeod's imagination (normally capable of great flights of fancy)has suddenly deserted him.
I really enjoyed this book. For those who enjoy Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist Series, this is for you. There is the element of who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. The relationship between Thomas and Plentitude has such an thrilling dynamic about it.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Thomas Timewell is sixteen and a gentleman. When he meets a body-snatcher called Plenitude, his whole life changes. He is pursued by cutthroats, a tattooed gypsy with a meat cleaver, and even the Grim Reaper.
A lovely, over-the-top black comedy. I wasn't sure teens would get all the jokes, but there are several fans of this book at my school. If you like Richard Harland, you should enjoy this.
This is a a curvey, wakey, funny spin off. Well worth reading i realy like the twist that the auther has done at the end wasn't expecting it!
I read this, it has a lot of interesting mix ups and surprising moments. I didn't except Plenitude to die at the end. Otherwise its a pretty interesting book.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but it certainly exceeded any expectations I had. Very good reading.
Surprised at how much I enjoyed this black comedy, informative and fun. Easy to recommend.
I think that this book is SO good! It just gets my mind running wild!
I reviewed this at http://www.readplus.com.au/blog_detai...
Nov 20, 2012
Thym38
added it
It was really funny and so not what i expected. I loved it!
Great story, a lot darker then I thought it was going to be. Loved the language of old London and the authentic lifestyles.
Loved this, very quirky & different. Can see why it made the CBCOA Honours list.
Great read, well written a bit of adventure and humour.
Excellent, Sophisticated ideas and language
Jul 15, 2011
Rosalie
added it
An interesting perspective on 1828.
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Doug MacLeod is a Melbourne-based writer and TV producer who has worked on many of Australia's most popular comedy shows, including The Comedy Company, Fast Forward, Big Girls' Blouse, The Micallef Program and SeaChange. He was also the script editor on Kath and Kim.
While he enjoys the TV work, he prefers writing books for young people. After leaving his full-time job in TV, Doug wrote the teenage...more
More about Doug MacLeod...
While he enjoys the TV work, he prefers writing books for young people. After leaving his full-time job in TV, Doug wrote the teenage...more
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“You must think it strange that I'm digging up my grandfather."
"Not at all. I'm sure many young men dig up their grandfathers.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
"Not at all. I'm sure many young men dig up their grandfathers.”
