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Jack Samsonite #1
One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite
Our hero?
Jack Samsonite
His mission?
1) pass his GCSEs
2) get the girl (to notice he exists)
3) survive the week without a serious face punching
Good thing he’s got a plan. Well, half a plan…
In the last seven days, Sam, aka Jack Samsonite, has fallen for a girl, is plagued by raging teenage lusts and very nearly gets killed by an extremely unlikely cause.
Very funny, and pretty rude, Jack tells it like it is. Whether it's skipping from school to hang with the mental freaks or stealing confiscated goods from his teacher, you'll be rooting for him all the way.
Jack Samsonite
His mission?
1) pass his GCSEs
2) get the girl (to notice he exists)
3) survive the week without a serious face punching
Good thing he’s got a plan. Well, half a plan…
In the last seven days, Sam, aka Jack Samsonite, has fallen for a girl, is plagued by raging teenage lusts and very nearly gets killed by an extremely unlikely cause.
Very funny, and pretty rude, Jack tells it like it is. Whether it's skipping from school to hang with the mental freaks or stealing confiscated goods from his teacher, you'll be rooting for him all the way.
407 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2011
8 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clempson
3 books22 followersTom is the multiple un-award-winning author of over three-quarters of THREE books, which he wrote with absolutely no help from his mum. His books include 'One Seriously Messed-Up Week' and 'One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend' in the Jack Samsonite series for young adults, plus the brand spanking new 'How to Avoid Certain Death' which is also a real life book, but, you know, for kids (8-12-ish).
More than two and a half people have read his books nearly all the way to the end and he is rapidly becoming what critics are calling 'Completely Unheard Of'!
He lives in Cheshire where he used to work in animation, but now spends most of his time stuck the following routine:
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
Tom currently has three children.
And three books.
And is in desperate need of a bigger house.
And more sleep.
More than two and a half people have read his books nearly all the way to the end and he is rapidly becoming what critics are calling 'Completely Unheard Of'!
He lives in Cheshire where he used to work in animation, but now spends most of his time stuck the following routine:
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
- Have a child.
- Write a book.
Tom currently has three children.
And three books.
And is in desperate need of a bigger house.
And more sleep.
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May 31, 2011I laughed until I cried so many times while reading this hilarious debut novel by my fellow Atom author, Tom Clempson. My husband kept looking at me weirdly as I snorted and guffawed my way through the book, until finally I broke down and read him a passage. We both had tears in our eyes as I tried to make it through without hyperventilating.
It's gross (in an inside-a-15-year-old-boy's-head way). It's touching. It's really really funny. I was cheering for Sam/Jack the whole way through, as he tries to win fair Eleanor's heart, flits between school cliques, and tries to avoid getting beaten up by the creepily-named Reaper.
Bravo Jack! Bravo Tom! Thanks for a really fun read.
It's gross (in an inside-a-15-year-old-boy's-head way). It's touching. It's really really funny. I was cheering for Sam/Jack the whole way through, as he tries to win fair Eleanor's heart, flits between school cliques, and tries to avoid getting beaten up by the creepily-named Reaper.
Bravo Jack! Bravo Tom! Thanks for a really fun read.
November 26, 2011
Our hero Sam (or Jack as he has decided to call himself) is writing a diary for a week as a school project. His goals for the week are to study for his exams, get the girl and to avoid being beaten up but that's going to be a lot more complicated than it sounds.
I don't even know where to start with this review - sometimes you come across a book that is just so much fun to read that you don't want it to end and One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite (hereafter referred to as OSMUW) is one of those books. I can't tell you how excited I am that there is going to be a sequel (although I believe we'll have to wait until 2013 to read it unfortunately). I have to mention that title - it has to be the longest book title I've ever come across but it suits the story perfectly and I love it.
Jack is a fairly typical 15 year old boy, he isn't one of the popular crowd but he isn't one of the geeks either and he flits between several different school cliques. I'm not going to tell you what he gets up to in his week - you're going to have to read the book for yourself if you want to find out. What I will tell you is that Jack reminded me of a less geeky Adrian Mole and I've not read a book that made me laugh as much as this one in a long time. In fact I completely embarrassed myself by snorting with laughter when I was reading OSMUW on a train. I just couldn't stop myself - I mean who knew choosing which urinal to use was such an exact science!
I have quite obviously never been a teenage boy but it was easy to relate to Jack, he faced a lot of the same kind of problems at school as I did and his character is very realistic. If you have ever wanted to know what goes on in a teenage boy's head then you need to read this book - it explains a lot! I don't think a page goes by that won't have you laughing but the story deals with some serious issues along with the humor. The twist at the end completely shocked me and as soon as I finished reading I had to go back and read the beginning again because it was so cleverly written.
I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone, if you have ever been a teenager you will be able to identify with Jack. I'm sure teenage boys will love the story but it will definitely appeal to girls too. My only warning would be that if you don't like crude humor and are easily offended by swearing then this might not be for you but as long as you don't take it too seriously I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. OSMUW is a fantastic debut and I can't wait to see what Tom Clempson comes up with next!
I don't even know where to start with this review - sometimes you come across a book that is just so much fun to read that you don't want it to end and One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite (hereafter referred to as OSMUW) is one of those books. I can't tell you how excited I am that there is going to be a sequel (although I believe we'll have to wait until 2013 to read it unfortunately). I have to mention that title - it has to be the longest book title I've ever come across but it suits the story perfectly and I love it.
Jack is a fairly typical 15 year old boy, he isn't one of the popular crowd but he isn't one of the geeks either and he flits between several different school cliques. I'm not going to tell you what he gets up to in his week - you're going to have to read the book for yourself if you want to find out. What I will tell you is that Jack reminded me of a less geeky Adrian Mole and I've not read a book that made me laugh as much as this one in a long time. In fact I completely embarrassed myself by snorting with laughter when I was reading OSMUW on a train. I just couldn't stop myself - I mean who knew choosing which urinal to use was such an exact science!
I have quite obviously never been a teenage boy but it was easy to relate to Jack, he faced a lot of the same kind of problems at school as I did and his character is very realistic. If you have ever wanted to know what goes on in a teenage boy's head then you need to read this book - it explains a lot! I don't think a page goes by that won't have you laughing but the story deals with some serious issues along with the humor. The twist at the end completely shocked me and as soon as I finished reading I had to go back and read the beginning again because it was so cleverly written.
I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone, if you have ever been a teenager you will be able to identify with Jack. I'm sure teenage boys will love the story but it will definitely appeal to girls too. My only warning would be that if you don't like crude humor and are easily offended by swearing then this might not be for you but as long as you don't take it too seriously I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. OSMUW is a fantastic debut and I can't wait to see what Tom Clempson comes up with next!
May 31, 2011
I first heard about this book in November 2010 at the Atom Blogger Party. All I really remember is thinking the title was incredibly long, that it was a boy's book, that at least one of the Atom people thought the author was pretty good looking, and that it was different from what Atom normally publishes because it isn't fantasy. I was intrigued as boy's books are generally pretty funny and it was new for Atom, but the words "Mndane and Uneventful" made me slightly doubtful. Either way, it wasn't due out for another seven months, so after leaving, I promptly forgot about it.
One day not too long ago I was on Twitter and discovered I was following Tom Clempson, and after butting into a conversation he was having with some other of my Twitter friends about sparkly gadget pants (really, I'm serious), and many other off the wall conversations, I decided I must read his book because he is funny! If a book is marketted as funny and the author himself turns out to be pretty funny, well... there are pretty high chances the book will make me laugh. If not, seriously epic fail.
Then last week, I received a copy of One Seriously Messed-Up Week (OSMUW) after weeeeks of patiently waiting. Then got a little worried about reading. Tom Clempson is someone who is fairly active in the blogger world, he's "one of us", someone I kind of knew. And now I had to read his book. Like I always do with books by authors I have spoken to online more than once, I worried I wouldn't like it, and I hate the thought of giving one of us a negative review. So I worried for a day, couldn't put it off any longer, then started to read. I have one word for you. Wow!
Ok, so with a funny author, you would expect a fair few laughs. What I did not expect was to have a smile pretty much plastered on my face for most of the time I was reading. This book is really funny! There were moments when I was reading in a room full of family members and I would get strange looks while I was sat there laughing out loud for literally 20-30 seconds (it doesn't sound long, but when you're laughing, it's forever). There are too many lines in this book I thought should be mentioned, but I can't mention them all, and I can't possibly choose. Tom Clempson is a comic genius!
Jack is just awesome. He's a typical boy, but he's also adorable, and I spent half the time wishing I could adopt him. And he comes out with such brilliant lines. But a fair few times, I actually found I identified with him - when he wasn't being, you know, male. Especially with being scared of reading out in class yet not having the same problem when it came to acting. But we also had similar opinions! There was one instance where he's talking about teenage pregnancies, and I just thought "YES!", because he was saying exactly what I have always thought.
OSMUW is't just about the laughs, though. Hidden between all the giggles are some serious issues. Although mentioning some of them wouldn't be giving you major spoilers, I think it's better to dicover them through Jack's comic outlook on life, so I'll leave you to find these out.
There are some major twists! Ohhh, the twists! I wasn't expecting twists. I was expecting things would work out the way he wanted, or they wouldn't. But the twists!!! My mouth literally dropped open! Once I finished the book, I immediately wanted to pick it up again, to spot all the things I missed before. Oooh, it was so clever! And I really can't say much more other than once I closed the last pages of the book I literally sat there for ten minutes thinking "wow!" Seriously. I was in complete awe, and thinking back over the different parts of the book and winding myself up. Because these characters are just so real, the twists just blew me away. I am now absolutely itching for the sequel to find out what happens next, though unfortunately it hasn't been finished yet, so there's a while to wait.
If I had to criticise the book at all, it would be that perhaps it's a little too funny. Hold on, I'll explain. It's not the type of book I personally could read in one sitting. The funny is brilliant, but after a while, it was just a little too much. So I'd put it down, I'd chat to the family, I'd watch some TV, I'd go to the pub, then I'd pick it up again later and have no problems with it. I think I just like my funny to be peppered with some sad or angry, etc, without being sad and funny or angry and funny, if that makes sense? But it's only a tiny thing, really. As criticisms go, I don't think being too funny is really all that bad!
Seriously, a fantastic, brilliant book, that I can't gush about it enough! Now righup there with all my other favourites. I cannot give this book higher praise. You must read this book!
One day not too long ago I was on Twitter and discovered I was following Tom Clempson, and after butting into a conversation he was having with some other of my Twitter friends about sparkly gadget pants (really, I'm serious), and many other off the wall conversations, I decided I must read his book because he is funny! If a book is marketted as funny and the author himself turns out to be pretty funny, well... there are pretty high chances the book will make me laugh. If not, seriously epic fail.
Then last week, I received a copy of One Seriously Messed-Up Week (OSMUW) after weeeeks of patiently waiting. Then got a little worried about reading. Tom Clempson is someone who is fairly active in the blogger world, he's "one of us", someone I kind of knew. And now I had to read his book. Like I always do with books by authors I have spoken to online more than once, I worried I wouldn't like it, and I hate the thought of giving one of us a negative review. So I worried for a day, couldn't put it off any longer, then started to read. I have one word for you. Wow!
Ok, so with a funny author, you would expect a fair few laughs. What I did not expect was to have a smile pretty much plastered on my face for most of the time I was reading. This book is really funny! There were moments when I was reading in a room full of family members and I would get strange looks while I was sat there laughing out loud for literally 20-30 seconds (it doesn't sound long, but when you're laughing, it's forever). There are too many lines in this book I thought should be mentioned, but I can't mention them all, and I can't possibly choose. Tom Clempson is a comic genius!
Jack is just awesome. He's a typical boy, but he's also adorable, and I spent half the time wishing I could adopt him. And he comes out with such brilliant lines. But a fair few times, I actually found I identified with him - when he wasn't being, you know, male. Especially with being scared of reading out in class yet not having the same problem when it came to acting. But we also had similar opinions! There was one instance where he's talking about teenage pregnancies, and I just thought "YES!", because he was saying exactly what I have always thought.
OSMUW is't just about the laughs, though. Hidden between all the giggles are some serious issues. Although mentioning some of them wouldn't be giving you major spoilers, I think it's better to dicover them through Jack's comic outlook on life, so I'll leave you to find these out.
There are some major twists! Ohhh, the twists! I wasn't expecting twists. I was expecting things would work out the way he wanted, or they wouldn't. But the twists!!! My mouth literally dropped open! Once I finished the book, I immediately wanted to pick it up again, to spot all the things I missed before. Oooh, it was so clever! And I really can't say much more other than once I closed the last pages of the book I literally sat there for ten minutes thinking "wow!" Seriously. I was in complete awe, and thinking back over the different parts of the book and winding myself up. Because these characters are just so real, the twists just blew me away. I am now absolutely itching for the sequel to find out what happens next, though unfortunately it hasn't been finished yet, so there's a while to wait.
If I had to criticise the book at all, it would be that perhaps it's a little too funny. Hold on, I'll explain. It's not the type of book I personally could read in one sitting. The funny is brilliant, but after a while, it was just a little too much. So I'd put it down, I'd chat to the family, I'd watch some TV, I'd go to the pub, then I'd pick it up again later and have no problems with it. I think I just like my funny to be peppered with some sad or angry, etc, without being sad and funny or angry and funny, if that makes sense? But it's only a tiny thing, really. As criticisms go, I don't think being too funny is really all that bad!
Seriously, a fantastic, brilliant book, that I can't gush about it enough! Now righup there with all my other favourites. I cannot give this book higher praise. You must read this book!
June 20, 2015
I read this book and thought it was going to be a lot tamer than it was, but I have to say, even though I was a little freaked out by Jack's perverted ways and bus-boners, I really enjoyed this book and thought it extremely funny.
First off, I like the writing. Obviously I had to if I liked this book. It was sort of funny and endearing yet still so true to teenager opinions, if a writing style can be all of those things.
Especially Jack/Sam's description of Em, how he says she's weird looking, (and red headed: GINGER POWER!) and sort of unusual, but by the end, she's cupping his balls, which just goes to show that Jack/Sam isn't your normal shallow teenage boy. I like his thoughts and weird little opinions, and his sweet little kid-isms, like how friendly he becomes with James so quickly.
I liked Eleanor, until the end. That scene in the drama room had me blushing as if I was the one getting changed with a guy who had a crush on me watching, but I was ready to run Eleanor over when Jack saw her and Dave Kross at McDonalds, and then the bastard gives Jack a beating. What a dog. It was a surprisingly quick read, because I was so engrossed in the hilariousness of it all, I didn't realise a whole week had passed in this guys life and it'd barely been a day in my own!
One Seriously Messed-Up Week was a sort of godsend. Any girl who doesn't mind a bit of sexual joking but wants to delve into the mind of a teenage boy (at least for a week) should read this because, aong with having a good plot and funny writing, it is very informative in a comical way and is pretty helpful in understanding the male psyche.
First off, I like the writing. Obviously I had to if I liked this book. It was sort of funny and endearing yet still so true to teenager opinions, if a writing style can be all of those things.
Especially Jack/Sam's description of Em, how he says she's weird looking, (and red headed: GINGER POWER!) and sort of unusual, but by the end, she's cupping his balls, which just goes to show that Jack/Sam isn't your normal shallow teenage boy. I like his thoughts and weird little opinions, and his sweet little kid-isms, like how friendly he becomes with James so quickly.
I liked Eleanor, until the end. That scene in the drama room had me blushing as if I was the one getting changed with a guy who had a crush on me watching, but I was ready to run Eleanor over when Jack saw her and Dave Kross at McDonalds, and then the bastard gives Jack a beating. What a dog. It was a surprisingly quick read, because I was so engrossed in the hilariousness of it all, I didn't realise a whole week had passed in this guys life and it'd barely been a day in my own!
One Seriously Messed-Up Week was a sort of godsend. Any girl who doesn't mind a bit of sexual joking but wants to delve into the mind of a teenage boy (at least for a week) should read this because, aong with having a good plot and funny writing, it is very informative in a comical way and is pretty helpful in understanding the male psyche.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2013
This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
Introducing: Jack Samsonite, a nearly-16 British teenager. His mission: to pass his GCSEs, pull the girl of his dreams, and not get beaten up. Wish him luck.
Diary-style novels are always hard to review. Always. Take a look at the other reviews I have made of books like Spud and Adrian Mole – they’re short. It’s very hard to comment on a diary, for me at least. So I shall do my best with One Seriously Messed Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite, hereafter referred to One Seriously Messed Up Week! read more...
Introducing: Jack Samsonite, a nearly-16 British teenager. His mission: to pass his GCSEs, pull the girl of his dreams, and not get beaten up. Wish him luck.
Diary-style novels are always hard to review. Always. Take a look at the other reviews I have made of books like Spud and Adrian Mole – they’re short. It’s very hard to comment on a diary, for me at least. So I shall do my best with One Seriously Messed Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite, hereafter referred to One Seriously Messed Up Week! read more...
July 3, 2011
This book was so good that I can’t put a description into words. You just need to read it. I could not stop laughing and finally felt like for once an author really successfully wrote and mastered the mind of a teenager.
Best book I have read in a long time.
Best book I have read in a long time.
August 3, 2025
This is the closest book to the inbetweeners I’ve read. The tone is genuinely quite funny and goes all in on sounding exactly like the slightly gross and outrageous way teenage boys speak.
It pretty much entirely focuses on him trying to get a girl to notice him (but obviously he has no actual game, even if he also isn’t entirely a creepy weirdo). Theres also him having tentative alliances with both the chavs and the alternative kids, a guy out to get him after he called him a pussy, realising he actually doesn’t like his current “friends” all that much and in classic male fashion having like one conversation with a guy and deciding he’s his new best friend, a friend who’s a girl who he basically doesn’t actually see as a girl and an abundance of references to boners. There’s also an unexpected inappropriate relationship that occurs that I didn’t see coming (and is a bit problematic that we don’t see any consequence from, the whole 16 age of consent is played for tongue in cheek laughs… but suppose that would’ve brought the tone of the book down if actually started talking about getting arrested and stuff as is meant to be scandalous humour).
Appreciated this didn’t end all tied up in a nice happy ever after bow - just ended fairly realistically, he doesn’t learn much or change across the book, it doesn’t result in a deep and meaningful lesson, but he had a heck of a funny and chaotic time!
Gave this three stars based on the feeling in my heart - I read this when I was younger (fyi I am female) and really loved it - now I’m bit older on a reread I’m maybe too mature to be totally obsessed with it, but it definitely was a funny and nostalgic read for feeling right back in high school again.
It pretty much entirely focuses on him trying to get a girl to notice him (but obviously he has no actual game, even if he also isn’t entirely a creepy weirdo). Theres also him having tentative alliances with both the chavs and the alternative kids, a guy out to get him after he called him a pussy, realising he actually doesn’t like his current “friends” all that much and in classic male fashion having like one conversation with a guy and deciding he’s his new best friend, a friend who’s a girl who he basically doesn’t actually see as a girl and an abundance of references to boners. There’s also an unexpected inappropriate relationship that occurs that I didn’t see coming (and is a bit problematic that we don’t see any consequence from, the whole 16 age of consent is played for tongue in cheek laughs… but suppose that would’ve brought the tone of the book down if actually started talking about getting arrested and stuff as is meant to be scandalous humour).
Appreciated this didn’t end all tied up in a nice happy ever after bow - just ended fairly realistically, he doesn’t learn much or change across the book, it doesn’t result in a deep and meaningful lesson, but he had a heck of a funny and chaotic time!
Gave this three stars based on the feeling in my heart - I read this when I was younger (fyi I am female) and really loved it - now I’m bit older on a reread I’m maybe too mature to be totally obsessed with it, but it definitely was a funny and nostalgic read for feeling right back in high school again.
May 12, 2020
Owing to me being a fan of the Inbetweeners TV series, this duology was recommended to me, and I laughed and loved every page. Having a taste for witty humour, these scintillating novels tickled my funny bone, time and time again:
This comedic novel, set in the form of a week long biography / journal, follows the extraordinary story of our protagonist Jack Samsonite. Using crude and offensive language often associated with teenagers like Jack, he describes the series of events he experiences: from getting caught in the middle of rivalling gangs, being hunted down by a blood-thirsty bully, falling in love, going to a party and making new friends. This is definitely one crazy week of high school.
The second novel in this two part series follows the same method as the last; an exceptionally eventful week-end for our protagonist. With newly introduced characters, and everyone being older (now in sixth form), the series of events are even more ridiculous than the last. Definitely taking things up a notch. Struggling to create a short film, and stuck in deciding his future after Sixth Form, there are no limits that Jack wont go to to complete his goals.
The comedic genius of Clempsons writing is second to none, if you like naughty, slapstick humour then this is perfect for you.
www.jamiewhitereviews.wordpress.com
This comedic novel, set in the form of a week long biography / journal, follows the extraordinary story of our protagonist Jack Samsonite. Using crude and offensive language often associated with teenagers like Jack, he describes the series of events he experiences: from getting caught in the middle of rivalling gangs, being hunted down by a blood-thirsty bully, falling in love, going to a party and making new friends. This is definitely one crazy week of high school.
The second novel in this two part series follows the same method as the last; an exceptionally eventful week-end for our protagonist. With newly introduced characters, and everyone being older (now in sixth form), the series of events are even more ridiculous than the last. Definitely taking things up a notch. Struggling to create a short film, and stuck in deciding his future after Sixth Form, there are no limits that Jack wont go to to complete his goals.
The comedic genius of Clempsons writing is second to none, if you like naughty, slapstick humour then this is perfect for you.
www.jamiewhitereviews.wordpress.com
November 24, 2019
I loved this book so much , I haven’t read a book that has made me laugh out loud in such a long time it made me reminisce my secondary school days and was super relatable.
Can’t wait to carry on with this series.
Can’t wait to carry on with this series.
August 9, 2022
3.75 stars - A NO-BRAIN-NEEDED, FUN STORY.
With a surprising plot twist at the end. Several Laugh of loud moments and many moments which seem all too real of teenage life.
With a surprising plot twist at the end. Several Laugh of loud moments and many moments which seem all too real of teenage life.
December 24, 2022
I was looking for a similar book than Adrian Mole when came across this book. Unfortunately, nothing really beats Adrian Mole.
June 15, 2011
In fact, I found this book surprisingly tamer than the Inbetweeners, which is a good thing, because I really don't think it should be compared as they are both different and originally brilliant in their own ways. I actually thought Jack reminded me more of a cooler, more modern Adrian Mole and a character I probably would have wanted to hang out with a school.
Our hero of the book Sam Taylor, who has renamed himself Jack Samsonite for his school project has three aims for the week. Firstly he needs to study to pass his GSCE's which are coming up soon. Secondly, he really wants to go out with the girl of dreams - Eleanor Wade - a girl he spends many an hour day dreaming about. Lastly he wants to survive the week without getting his head kicked in by the nastiest bully in the area. What do you think his chances are of achieving all three in a week?
I always wondered what went on in a teenage boy's head. Well I don't want to now,as being a 40 year old mother of two, that would be just wrong. However I did when I was a teenager myself and I still find the brains of most males intriguing. Thankfully Tom Clempson has come to my rescue and lifted the lid on this foreign land. It seems to me that my first suspicions are correct and for a major part of their thinking time, sex is on the brain. However, they are more endearing than that and I feel I have rather a soft spot for Jack after reading his story. He is quite appalled that some of the girls he knows aren't as pure as he had believed and he suffers with the same anxieties as many girls do. He worries about his friends, his school work and being bullied too. He is actually a rather sweet character.
I felt like I had been sent back in time to my own teenage years, reliving all the angst of good grades and first relationships and it was quite lovely to take the road trip back. The language in the book is not for those who cringe at swear words. Personally it didn't bother me at all and I giggled like a school girl. Although I was glad to find it did not contain my least favourite swear word that does actually make me want to slap people when they say it. At least I think it didn't, unless I have learnt to glaze over that word. I know you will want to know what that word is, so lets just say it rhymes with hunt!
There were parts of this book that had me in hysterics and led to unusual conversations with my husband which covered such subjects as methodology of urinal usage. Don't ask, you just need to read the book to figure out what I mean.
I have just two tiny little niggles with the book. Sorry Tom! One was the title - its so long and when people would ask me about the book, my old brain would struggle to remember the exact title, so please can the next book have a shorter title? Secondly, I was slightly confused with a couple of the people Jack referred to in the story, that I didn't imagine a teenager of today would know. The 'Margaret Thatcher' reference made me stumble a little as I knew the teenagers of my generations would know who she was,(because, yes I am that old) but I am not sure that the teenagers of today would. However, after discussing this with my husband, he was under the impression that they would and that Mrs T may be viewed as a bit of legend amongst the teenage boy brigade, especially as she has focused quite a lot on Top Gear (essential teenage boy viewing). So it looks like I was wrong and Tom was right, according to my husband (fountain of all knowledge). Just goes to show how differently women view the world to men.
Like I said though, they are both really minor niggles and apart from that I thought the book was absolutely brilliant. The ending surprised me, as a bit of twist is sneakily put in. I do like a surprise ending. I really do think that Tom Clempson has a great writing career ahead of him.
Our hero of the book Sam Taylor, who has renamed himself Jack Samsonite for his school project has three aims for the week. Firstly he needs to study to pass his GSCE's which are coming up soon. Secondly, he really wants to go out with the girl of dreams - Eleanor Wade - a girl he spends many an hour day dreaming about. Lastly he wants to survive the week without getting his head kicked in by the nastiest bully in the area. What do you think his chances are of achieving all three in a week?
I always wondered what went on in a teenage boy's head. Well I don't want to now,as being a 40 year old mother of two, that would be just wrong. However I did when I was a teenager myself and I still find the brains of most males intriguing. Thankfully Tom Clempson has come to my rescue and lifted the lid on this foreign land. It seems to me that my first suspicions are correct and for a major part of their thinking time, sex is on the brain. However, they are more endearing than that and I feel I have rather a soft spot for Jack after reading his story. He is quite appalled that some of the girls he knows aren't as pure as he had believed and he suffers with the same anxieties as many girls do. He worries about his friends, his school work and being bullied too. He is actually a rather sweet character.
I felt like I had been sent back in time to my own teenage years, reliving all the angst of good grades and first relationships and it was quite lovely to take the road trip back. The language in the book is not for those who cringe at swear words. Personally it didn't bother me at all and I giggled like a school girl. Although I was glad to find it did not contain my least favourite swear word that does actually make me want to slap people when they say it. At least I think it didn't, unless I have learnt to glaze over that word. I know you will want to know what that word is, so lets just say it rhymes with hunt!
There were parts of this book that had me in hysterics and led to unusual conversations with my husband which covered such subjects as methodology of urinal usage. Don't ask, you just need to read the book to figure out what I mean.
I have just two tiny little niggles with the book. Sorry Tom! One was the title - its so long and when people would ask me about the book, my old brain would struggle to remember the exact title, so please can the next book have a shorter title? Secondly, I was slightly confused with a couple of the people Jack referred to in the story, that I didn't imagine a teenager of today would know. The 'Margaret Thatcher' reference made me stumble a little as I knew the teenagers of my generations would know who she was,(because, yes I am that old) but I am not sure that the teenagers of today would. However, after discussing this with my husband, he was under the impression that they would and that Mrs T may be viewed as a bit of legend amongst the teenage boy brigade, especially as she has focused quite a lot on Top Gear (essential teenage boy viewing). So it looks like I was wrong and Tom was right, according to my husband (fountain of all knowledge). Just goes to show how differently women view the world to men.
Like I said though, they are both really minor niggles and apart from that I thought the book was absolutely brilliant. The ending surprised me, as a bit of twist is sneakily put in. I do like a surprise ending. I really do think that Tom Clempson has a great writing career ahead of him.
April 9, 2011
I want to say something before I go any further with this review: I didn't like school. I don't look back on my secondary school years with love. Actually, I prefer to pretend those years didn't exist (though, not my college years. I actually quite like those years). So, when I get books which are "Secondary/High School" book (no magic, vampires, mystery, horror), I usually stay away from them.
So, why haven't I ran away from this book screaming? Well, two reasons. First, I became friends with the author, Tom Clempson, on twitter and after readng a really random tweet of his which made me burst into laughter, I thought the book would be brilliant. And second, Rhys from Thirst For Fiction read and praised the book VERY HIGHLY on Twitter and his GoodReads. Over the past few months, I have discovered that Rhys and I have very similar taste in books and seeing his reaction to Jack Samsonite, I had high hopes.
So, the book. Our hero - Jack Samsonite - has a mission. First, to pass his GCSEs. Second, to win the girl of his dreams (who barely knows he exists!). And third, to survive the week without getting his face punched in. Well, the good thing he has a plan... well, I say plan, it's kinda half of a plan... well, I say half a plan, what I mean is...
Now, I feel very lucky. Atom Books (the UK publishers) have sent this to me and a few other bloggers this book TWO MONTHS before its published and in bookshops (it's out in early June 2011). So, yeah, I had to get excited. And when Atom say it's like Adrian Mole meets the Inbewteeners (I haven't read or seen either of these - PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!), so of course, high hopes.
Now, can I say this? This book has one of the longest (and maybe stupidest) titles known to man or beast - One Seriously Messed Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of JACK SAMSONITE (can you say that in one breath?) - barring, maybe, Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Crackling Stump (which is featured in The Tales of Beedle The Bard by JK Rowling). But it sounds like something a teenager would call his essay.
It is crude. The language and the jokes are crude - very teenage boy - so some people may not like it. So, if you get easily offended, you might not want to read this book. Also, I found it odd to read it. I read it in chucks rather than in one huge go or reading it on the correct days (some of you must do this. Read Monday on Monday, read Tuesday on Tuesday, read Wednesday on Wednesday, etc). But I think I did this because I didn't like school much.
With all that said, this was one of the funniest books I have read in a while. And with the introduction written after the week's event (so you know VAGUELY where it was going to end, although no idea HOW), it had moments of thriller-type books in there. But it is a comedy book, and there were things I laughed and other times I cringed and remembered the other kids in my class (who were either cooler than I was or people who made life not pleasant) doing or saying thpse things. So, very close to the bone, but funny. Very funny. Keep your eyes peeled on this author, chaps!
So, why haven't I ran away from this book screaming? Well, two reasons. First, I became friends with the author, Tom Clempson, on twitter and after readng a really random tweet of his which made me burst into laughter, I thought the book would be brilliant. And second, Rhys from Thirst For Fiction read and praised the book VERY HIGHLY on Twitter and his GoodReads. Over the past few months, I have discovered that Rhys and I have very similar taste in books and seeing his reaction to Jack Samsonite, I had high hopes.
So, the book. Our hero - Jack Samsonite - has a mission. First, to pass his GCSEs. Second, to win the girl of his dreams (who barely knows he exists!). And third, to survive the week without getting his face punched in. Well, the good thing he has a plan... well, I say plan, it's kinda half of a plan... well, I say half a plan, what I mean is...
Now, I feel very lucky. Atom Books (the UK publishers) have sent this to me and a few other bloggers this book TWO MONTHS before its published and in bookshops (it's out in early June 2011). So, yeah, I had to get excited. And when Atom say it's like Adrian Mole meets the Inbewteeners (I haven't read or seen either of these - PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!), so of course, high hopes.
Now, can I say this? This book has one of the longest (and maybe stupidest) titles known to man or beast - One Seriously Messed Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of JACK SAMSONITE (can you say that in one breath?) - barring, maybe, Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Crackling Stump (which is featured in The Tales of Beedle The Bard by JK Rowling). But it sounds like something a teenager would call his essay.
It is crude. The language and the jokes are crude - very teenage boy - so some people may not like it. So, if you get easily offended, you might not want to read this book. Also, I found it odd to read it. I read it in chucks rather than in one huge go or reading it on the correct days (some of you must do this. Read Monday on Monday, read Tuesday on Tuesday, read Wednesday on Wednesday, etc). But I think I did this because I didn't like school much.
With all that said, this was one of the funniest books I have read in a while. And with the introduction written after the week's event (so you know VAGUELY where it was going to end, although no idea HOW), it had moments of thriller-type books in there. But it is a comedy book, and there were things I laughed and other times I cringed and remembered the other kids in my class (who were either cooler than I was or people who made life not pleasant) doing or saying thpse things. So, very close to the bone, but funny. Very funny. Keep your eyes peeled on this author, chaps!
May 31, 2015
Funniest book I have read this year!! Laughed so much I got some strange looks from friends and family.
Our hero?
Jack Samsonite
His mission?
1) pass his GCSEs
2) get the girl (to notice he exists)
3) survive the week without a serious face punching
Good thing he’s got a plan. Well, half a plan…
I really enjoyed this book!! From start to finish! This book took me out of my comfort zone, I don’t usually like books that are diary based but this book is so much more than that! Sam aka Jack is writing down everything that happens to him within a week for an English assignment. With girls, joints and fights, his ‘uneventful’ life soon becomes anything but.
Jack is doing everything he can to win over the girl of his dreams and when he is finally getting somewhere he soon realises reality is different to dreaming!
Clempson’s writing is funny and very smart indeed. He has the perfect balance of ‘crudeness’ and wit which kept me hooked and laughing for days. Clempson has created a new, clear, strong male voice within the teen fiction genre.
A must for all teen guys and all teen girls so you know what the guys are thinking. How often do we girls get an insight into the mind of boys? If only this book had been around when I was at school!!
Our hero?
Jack Samsonite
His mission?
1) pass his GCSEs
2) get the girl (to notice he exists)
3) survive the week without a serious face punching
Good thing he’s got a plan. Well, half a plan…
I really enjoyed this book!! From start to finish! This book took me out of my comfort zone, I don’t usually like books that are diary based but this book is so much more than that! Sam aka Jack is writing down everything that happens to him within a week for an English assignment. With girls, joints and fights, his ‘uneventful’ life soon becomes anything but.
Jack is doing everything he can to win over the girl of his dreams and when he is finally getting somewhere he soon realises reality is different to dreaming!
Clempson’s writing is funny and very smart indeed. He has the perfect balance of ‘crudeness’ and wit which kept me hooked and laughing for days. Clempson has created a new, clear, strong male voice within the teen fiction genre.
A must for all teen guys and all teen girls so you know what the guys are thinking. How often do we girls get an insight into the mind of boys? If only this book had been around when I was at school!!
February 14, 2016
Ok i know this is a YA book, and i love YA books, this one however i found extremely annoying, the parts of the book that actually tell the story was really good but the other parts that are done in Film scripts and bios, i really disliked, im not sure what it was about them but i feel like they just hindered the story, if i was a 14 year old boy i would have found this hilarious, so if you have a young teenage child or member of your family is of that 14-17 yr age range they will love this book, its cheeky and just enough swear words to make them feel like silent rebels, but if your an Adult YA lover im not sure how you would feel about this, i am giving it 3 stars, the reason it gets 3 stars is because in the bits of the book that is written like a book, the story is really good, well written and lovable characters, the script written bits are why i couldnt give it a higher scoring.
June 8, 2011
One Seriously Messed-Up Week is an ideal read for older fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid for its similar wry humour and inclination for misadventure.
Written in the form of an English assignment, it details the adventures of a charismatic British teenager as he attempts to thwart the bad guy and get the girl, managing to be just so darn likable in the process.
While the teen boy subject matter has been compared to the TV show Inbetweeners, Jack Samsonite stands apart in that he's not nearly as repellent or offensive and yet is equally as funny with many laugh-out-loud moments and astounding circumstances. A great read for the teenage boy who has difficulty enjoying reading with a character you'll be desperate to hear more from.
Written in the form of an English assignment, it details the adventures of a charismatic British teenager as he attempts to thwart the bad guy and get the girl, managing to be just so darn likable in the process.
While the teen boy subject matter has been compared to the TV show Inbetweeners, Jack Samsonite stands apart in that he's not nearly as repellent or offensive and yet is equally as funny with many laugh-out-loud moments and astounding circumstances. A great read for the teenage boy who has difficulty enjoying reading with a character you'll be desperate to hear more from.
August 19, 2012
This book was absolutely fantastic. Funny, witty banter that really had me engaged. I wasn't quite sure where the story was going to be quite honest until the note-swapping part. The mcdonalds car park section really was fantastic, I absolutely loved it (but felt really bad for jack at the same time). The ending was actually quite shocking and I really didn't see it coming - at all. Even so it was a great way to end the book. Words don't describe how much I recommend this to those who love the inbetweeners or have a dirty sense of humour (even to those who don't it's still great.) Not quite a full 5 stars though. More a 4.95 due to a slow start. It wasn't hard to read, just finding the plot was hard.
January 25, 2013
I picked this up because I saw it was marketed at boys, and I am always curious to see what books there are for teenage boys which aren't fantasy - and I thought it was excellent. I wasn't really sure what to expect, as I knew I probably wasn't the intended audience, but the lead character, Jack/Sam, was written so well and realistically that I spent half the book thinking "that is so true!" and the other half laughing. The everyday scenarios, such as Jack/Sam being a drifter between two groups of stereotypes instead of being rammed into one specific group, echoed school life really well. His reactions to females and his friendship with James were great. The book was so funny and I would definately recommend it.
June 14, 2015
I can safely say that this is the first book that has had me on the floor, sobbing with laughter until I nearly choked.
I bloody love Tom Clempson. In fact I stayed up until about 2 o'clock in the morning, reading this book. I couldn't stop.
The ending was literally the best thing I have ever read - or that I've read in a while. Jack is SO, SO stereotypical, but he is the funniest and most relatable character I've come across.
I recommend this book. If you want to laugh, read it. If you want to encounter hilariously awkward situations, read it. If you want to feel so happy that you get asked if you're okay and "WHY are you smiling like a creep?" then read it.
Ugh, just read it!
I bloody love Tom Clempson. In fact I stayed up until about 2 o'clock in the morning, reading this book. I couldn't stop.
The ending was literally the best thing I have ever read - or that I've read in a while. Jack is SO, SO stereotypical, but he is the funniest and most relatable character I've come across.
I recommend this book. If you want to laugh, read it. If you want to encounter hilariously awkward situations, read it. If you want to feel so happy that you get asked if you're okay and "WHY are you smiling like a creep?" then read it.
Ugh, just read it!
June 8, 2012
My first attempt to go beyond the established humour authors almost stopped in the first chapter. However, one I got over the “nob” shock factor, the story of sixteen year old Sam showed potential. I laughed at different episodes and think it would have reasonable appeal to a teenage (male) audience. It is light weight, but I found the premise of Sam writing a story (as Jack Samsonite about his week) for his English teacher and yet including a twist in the end, appealing. It has some of the irony of Adrian Mole but is less subtle. Worth considering.
August 19, 2011
i went to the same school as him but in a different building as our school had two buildings but it was a great read and really funny but i think people on the bus thought i was mental as i was sat there laughing so much at nothing but a book but really a good read and would recommend it to any young adult.
July 20, 2014
I don't usually read this genre, but I really enjoyed this book!! The story was very well told and the unique British humor and word-use was HILARIOUS! I actually couldn't put it down when I started it. This is definitely a must read if you are in the mood for a light hearted comedy! Plus I really liked all the made-up words!
August 1, 2011
I absolutely adore this book, it has such a great narrative. Jack is such a normal boy and like normal girls. It make me laugh out loud and just was charming to read. Such a great contempory novel! I can't wait to read more!
March 20, 2012
Cannot describe how much laughing I did throughout this book! I was sat with my boyfriend and I was basically reading it to him! Absolutely hilarious. Gave me a great insight into the mind of teenage boys. A bit late though! Haha.
December 7, 2018
I actually laugh/cried at this book. It’s laugh out loud funny and jack is just something strange yet you feel somewhat protective of him. He just does the things that make you just shake your head in shame.
Want to read
July 11, 2013The person who wrote this went to my high school and the whole book is based around it I flicked thought the first few pages and was like wow I know Tom I know it's great calling teachers by their first names !!!!
July 29, 2016
This book is actually brilliantly written with regards to characterisation. The author captures that awkward teenagerness perfect. Unfortunately for me it is a bit too realistic. I deal with this all day at work I can't be doing with more while i'm at home!
June 12, 2015
I loved this book!
The main character is so funny and the writing is just hilarious!
I laughed out loud several times while reading this book so if you're looking for a funny book this is my recommendation.
The main character is so funny and the writing is just hilarious!
I laughed out loud several times while reading this book so if you're looking for a funny book this is my recommendation.
June 19, 2011
Brilliant, fun little book. So many laughs right from the very first page. Just what I needed right now!! Cannot recommend enough. (full review coming soon!)
May 7, 2012
Adrian mole with more laughs
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