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The Cambridge List
With a student-turned-serial-killer stalking Cambridge, professors are cowering in terror, locals are looking fearfully over their shoulders and newspaper editors are rubbing their hands together with glee. Who is the evil genius striking terror into the heart of the sleepy town, and why is he picking-off lecturers one by one?
James Connor thinks that killing his former professors in cold blood is actually rather a bad idea. Unfortunately his head has been commandeered by a bloodthirsty family of Greek gods, so he doesn’t really have a say in the matter. With Hera and Aphrodite at each other’s throats and Dionysos failing to keep order, James’s brain has become a cosmic conflict zone, and he’s worried they’ll leave it in ruins. There’s only one way out: he has to go from socially inept young man to slick sociopath fast. If only he wasn’t so squeamish about mass slaughter.
Forget the serene deities you’ve seen carved in ancient marble. Forget the quaint charm of England’s most English university. Here in the cut-and-thrust world of Cambridge the rule of the jungle prevails, and nothing is sacred. Follow the world’s least menacing serial killer on his awkwardly murderous journey, where ancient rituals, scheming academics and divine politics collide. And where murder has consequences unforeseen even by the gods themselves...
"This is a Cambridge novel like no other. Taking in academic murder and a clutch of demented Greek gods 'The Cambridge List' is a surreal, knockabout romp." (Waterstones, Cambridge)
James Connor thinks that killing his former professors in cold blood is actually rather a bad idea. Unfortunately his head has been commandeered by a bloodthirsty family of Greek gods, so he doesn’t really have a say in the matter. With Hera and Aphrodite at each other’s throats and Dionysos failing to keep order, James’s brain has become a cosmic conflict zone, and he’s worried they’ll leave it in ruins. There’s only one way out: he has to go from socially inept young man to slick sociopath fast. If only he wasn’t so squeamish about mass slaughter.
Forget the serene deities you’ve seen carved in ancient marble. Forget the quaint charm of England’s most English university. Here in the cut-and-thrust world of Cambridge the rule of the jungle prevails, and nothing is sacred. Follow the world’s least menacing serial killer on his awkwardly murderous journey, where ancient rituals, scheming academics and divine politics collide. And where murder has consequences unforeseen even by the gods themselves...
"This is a Cambridge novel like no other. Taking in academic murder and a clutch of demented Greek gods 'The Cambridge List' is a surreal, knockabout romp." (Waterstones, Cambridge)
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First published March 19, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 2, 2011
James Connor had worked hard on his master’s thesis, a radical re-imagining of the Greek Gods. He had struggled against problems such as his supervisor, a rabid man-hater, who assigned him degrading homework, sneered at his best efforts, and forced him to bring her food in order to entice her to even rate his essays. Then, just as he thought he had a post-graduate position nailed down, an ambassador contacted the department head – Paul Fringe – and “encouraged” him to make a space for his son. So, James is drummed out, given a failing grade, and left to fend for himself. Unable to find a job due to his increasing depression, he ends up in a language school struggling to teach non-English speakers English. His depression mounts until he can barely make himself leave his room.
This is when a roommate of his announces that, before having the plug pulled on the research, he had developed a new drug that showed promising anti-depressant effects and James should try it. He reluctantly does so – only to start hearing a woman singing in his head. This goes on for several days, until more women start talking in his head – and he discovers that the entire Greek Pantheon has camped out in his brain, and decided that he is to be the vessel of their divine wrath against the professors who failed James’ thesis, which they found extremely flattering, and therefore the professors showed dishonor to the Gods.
James is thus, reluctantly, pulled into a caper to murder five faculty members – Paul Fringe, Harriet “Fatty” Mason, Alan Tanning, Penton Wildencrust and Elliot Norther.
I must admit, I found this book hilarious! Maybe I’m a bit of a sick-o at times, but the author managed to install so much dark humour into the book that I found myself laughing crazily more than once. Not only is it funny, but it is smart, well-paced and an all-around excellent read. I can highly recommend this book to fans of dark humour, thrillers … well, basically I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read and doesn’t mind being reminded that they might have a bit of a sick mind to be so amused by this! Run out and get this most excellent book just as soon as you are able – you will not be disappointed in it!
This is when a roommate of his announces that, before having the plug pulled on the research, he had developed a new drug that showed promising anti-depressant effects and James should try it. He reluctantly does so – only to start hearing a woman singing in his head. This goes on for several days, until more women start talking in his head – and he discovers that the entire Greek Pantheon has camped out in his brain, and decided that he is to be the vessel of their divine wrath against the professors who failed James’ thesis, which they found extremely flattering, and therefore the professors showed dishonor to the Gods.
James is thus, reluctantly, pulled into a caper to murder five faculty members – Paul Fringe, Harriet “Fatty” Mason, Alan Tanning, Penton Wildencrust and Elliot Norther.
I must admit, I found this book hilarious! Maybe I’m a bit of a sick-o at times, but the author managed to install so much dark humour into the book that I found myself laughing crazily more than once. Not only is it funny, but it is smart, well-paced and an all-around excellent read. I can highly recommend this book to fans of dark humour, thrillers … well, basically I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read and doesn’t mind being reminded that they might have a bit of a sick mind to be so amused by this! Run out and get this most excellent book just as soon as you are able – you will not be disappointed in it!
July 21, 2011
A solid debut The Cambridge List is a funny (and at times horrifying) tale of a Cambridge drop-out who is forced to take revenge on those who had flunked him by the Greek gods who inhabit his head after taking part in a medical trial.
Though frankly he seemed bad enough that he could have failed all on his own. As the main character James Connor elicited no feelings of sympathy from me at all. Yes he was treated badly by the establishment but he seemed to have no redeeming aspects at all. The Muse was a much more interesting character and I would have liked to have seen more of her.
In all though the story was fun and entertaining. I looked forward to seeing how each murder was going to be fulfilled. The let down for me though was the ending. It was a bit too sequel-setting up cliche and all ended a bit too suddenly. But I will pick up the sequel to see how it all pans out.
Though frankly he seemed bad enough that he could have failed all on his own. As the main character James Connor elicited no feelings of sympathy from me at all. Yes he was treated badly by the establishment but he seemed to have no redeeming aspects at all. The Muse was a much more interesting character and I would have liked to have seen more of her.
In all though the story was fun and entertaining. I looked forward to seeing how each murder was going to be fulfilled. The let down for me though was the ending. It was a bit too sequel-setting up cliche and all ended a bit too suddenly. But I will pick up the sequel to see how it all pans out.
April 17, 2013
You know when I say down and read this book it was ok...but I didn't find myself wanting to sit down and read it.....the whole gods bickering got slightly annoying after a while...but then a death scene would come up, and especially the ones involving sex and I would be reminded of Tom Sharpe and how he made the ridiculous so funny and actually believable.....
So essentially a few great moments in an otherwise not very good book for me.
So essentially a few great moments in an otherwise not very good book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2011
I must state that I really tried my best to like this book. I was thinking murder, mayhem that is for me! Well, yes he has murder in there and a bit of other things. This book is based on James Conner being told he must murder some people on The Cambridge List. At first I really did like the book; it was interesting and kept my attention. So, his writing style is excellent, the voice in the book was great too. So, if that was all good, why didn't I like it?
Maybe because I'm overweight, or maybe because I know people that are overweight, I did not like the terms he was using about one of the professor's aide. The woman's last name is Mason; the way that he describes this overweight woman is not the most pleasant thing to read. Some of the names were: fatty, "Seeing her waddle into the Faculty each morning was akin to watching an oil tanker docking in a fishing pond (The Cambridge List, Clear, Robert, Chapter 3)." He says that she grunts like a pig, and many more outlandish names are strewed throughout the book. The way he writes about an overweight person makes one think that he hates overweight people and it is coming out in his work. There are other things, when James gets contacted by the Gods/Goddesses they naturally all swear. I don't know if it's me, but I am thinking that Gods/Goddesses would not swear. Also, when he introduces Mues, the way he introduces her is if one looks wild, and has many children they are automatically a whore and all her children are from a different father and she does not know whom they belong to. Also, one last thing, I am really happy I had this on my Kindle where there is a dictionary and if I didn't know a word I could look it up and sometimes the dictionary would tell me what it means, many words were not found in the dictionary. I understand authors write big words and words we don't know so that way we have a better vocabulary, but he went a bit over with the words.
Now onto the good parts about the book; He developed the characters quite nicely. I like how James grew within the book how he finally just accepted his fate as he kept going with the murders. I like how he blackmailed the reporter into helping him with the last two (2) people. I like how he devolved Wendy, had her go through some moral dilemmas and showed how well it went. It truly has some interesting ways that each of the members of the The Cambridge List dies. I like how Robert put Athena and Hera at war with each other. Also, I learned some history that I did not know; I have yet to look it up on the internet to see if it is actually a valid history about the school. If it wasn't it was a great history just the same that he made up.
Besides the few things went wrong, I cannot say that over all it was a bad book. I think that just with the few issues I had with it made it a bit too long and drawn out for me. If you don't mind the "F" word used a lot, don't mind the swearing, the way he describes people in a derogatory way then this is the book for you! I didn't mind the swearing that much except maybe the "F" word was used a bit too much for my liking. I would say this is a book that one can give it a try to see how they like it. I do feel extremely bad that I did not enjoy it as much as Robert would have probably would of liked me to. I might try another book from Robert Clear, depending on what it is about. Good luck if you want to read this book, I would like to hear others thoughts about this book.
Maybe because I'm overweight, or maybe because I know people that are overweight, I did not like the terms he was using about one of the professor's aide. The woman's last name is Mason; the way that he describes this overweight woman is not the most pleasant thing to read. Some of the names were: fatty, "Seeing her waddle into the Faculty each morning was akin to watching an oil tanker docking in a fishing pond (The Cambridge List, Clear, Robert, Chapter 3)." He says that she grunts like a pig, and many more outlandish names are strewed throughout the book. The way he writes about an overweight person makes one think that he hates overweight people and it is coming out in his work. There are other things, when James gets contacted by the Gods/Goddesses they naturally all swear. I don't know if it's me, but I am thinking that Gods/Goddesses would not swear. Also, when he introduces Mues, the way he introduces her is if one looks wild, and has many children they are automatically a whore and all her children are from a different father and she does not know whom they belong to. Also, one last thing, I am really happy I had this on my Kindle where there is a dictionary and if I didn't know a word I could look it up and sometimes the dictionary would tell me what it means, many words were not found in the dictionary. I understand authors write big words and words we don't know so that way we have a better vocabulary, but he went a bit over with the words.
Now onto the good parts about the book; He developed the characters quite nicely. I like how James grew within the book how he finally just accepted his fate as he kept going with the murders. I like how he blackmailed the reporter into helping him with the last two (2) people. I like how he devolved Wendy, had her go through some moral dilemmas and showed how well it went. It truly has some interesting ways that each of the members of the The Cambridge List dies. I like how Robert put Athena and Hera at war with each other. Also, I learned some history that I did not know; I have yet to look it up on the internet to see if it is actually a valid history about the school. If it wasn't it was a great history just the same that he made up.
Besides the few things went wrong, I cannot say that over all it was a bad book. I think that just with the few issues I had with it made it a bit too long and drawn out for me. If you don't mind the "F" word used a lot, don't mind the swearing, the way he describes people in a derogatory way then this is the book for you! I didn't mind the swearing that much except maybe the "F" word was used a bit too much for my liking. I would say this is a book that one can give it a try to see how they like it. I do feel extremely bad that I did not enjoy it as much as Robert would have probably would of liked me to. I might try another book from Robert Clear, depending on what it is about. Good luck if you want to read this book, I would like to hear others thoughts about this book.
August 23, 2011
Rating: 3/10
The Cambridge List is a book that mingles the UK with the well known gods of Greek mythology in a way that is completely and utterly unique. In this story, the gods have decided to take residence in James Connor's brain, each one of them inhabiting a certain area of it (and yes, that is significant, but I'm not going to tell you why). This 'habitation' of James' brain is brought on by an untested drug (developed by his friend Bumrash's -yes, you read that right - lab) called Flanoxiride.
Through this connection, the Greek gods are determined to take their revenge on the University of Cambridge Classics Department, who have been shunning them (and anything that adds to their positive image) in their efforts to secure a vast amount of money for themselves, which is supposed to be used towards research on the Greek gods and the classical era. I know I'm making it sound complicated, but it isn't really. So, they compose a list (also known as The Cambridge List) with 5 professors of the Classics Department who must be killed (just so that the gods can get their revenge). And it's James who must do the deed(s), with the help of the Muse (known throughout the book as Muesli).
I have to say quite honestly that I did not enjoy this book. I actually really struggled to finish it. The reason for that was not the story itself (as that was actually quite an original and very good idea), but rather the execution. And by execution, I mean the way in which it was written. The language felt a little unrefined. The expression itself was not poorly done, I just believe it was probably in need of a little more editing. But what bothered me to the point of nearly abandoning the story was the swearing. And I mean A LOT of swearing. And really bad swearing at that. In the beginning, it was actually funny, but then it stopped being funny, to the point of eventually becoming annoying. Obviously the Greek gods could not treat each other respectfully (as they were all rather selfish entities/personalities in one way or another), but I felt that the swearing in this book was just over the top.
All in all, while this book was not for me, it might appeal to others, if they feel that they can overlook the swearing and focus on the story. For me, the swearing took too much away from it.
Originally posted at: http://funny-wool.blogspot.com/2011/0...
The Cambridge List is a book that mingles the UK with the well known gods of Greek mythology in a way that is completely and utterly unique. In this story, the gods have decided to take residence in James Connor's brain, each one of them inhabiting a certain area of it (and yes, that is significant, but I'm not going to tell you why). This 'habitation' of James' brain is brought on by an untested drug (developed by his friend Bumrash's -yes, you read that right - lab) called Flanoxiride.
Through this connection, the Greek gods are determined to take their revenge on the University of Cambridge Classics Department, who have been shunning them (and anything that adds to their positive image) in their efforts to secure a vast amount of money for themselves, which is supposed to be used towards research on the Greek gods and the classical era. I know I'm making it sound complicated, but it isn't really. So, they compose a list (also known as The Cambridge List) with 5 professors of the Classics Department who must be killed (just so that the gods can get their revenge). And it's James who must do the deed(s), with the help of the Muse (known throughout the book as Muesli).
I have to say quite honestly that I did not enjoy this book. I actually really struggled to finish it. The reason for that was not the story itself (as that was actually quite an original and very good idea), but rather the execution. And by execution, I mean the way in which it was written. The language felt a little unrefined. The expression itself was not poorly done, I just believe it was probably in need of a little more editing. But what bothered me to the point of nearly abandoning the story was the swearing. And I mean A LOT of swearing. And really bad swearing at that. In the beginning, it was actually funny, but then it stopped being funny, to the point of eventually becoming annoying. Obviously the Greek gods could not treat each other respectfully (as they were all rather selfish entities/personalities in one way or another), but I felt that the swearing in this book was just over the top.
All in all, while this book was not for me, it might appeal to others, if they feel that they can overlook the swearing and focus on the story. For me, the swearing took too much away from it.
Originally posted at: http://funny-wool.blogspot.com/2011/0...
July 11, 2011
James Conner was given a failing grade for his undergraduate thesis so that an ambassador’s son (and big college supporter) could be picked for the post graduate position he was vying for. Not having anything to look forward to any more, and forced to take a job teaching English as a second language, James becomes very depressed. His roommate convinces him to try a new antidepressant that hasn’t yet finished going through the testing phases (and in fact was pulled due to lack of interest and funding). While on this drug, James begins to hear the voices of the Greek Gods, mainly Hera, Queen of the Gods, Aphrodite, Goddess of Desire and Museli, an Olympian known as the Muse, just to name a few.
The Greek Gods, especially the ever vocal Queen Hera, have camped out inside James’ hippocampus where they will stay until he completes a very important mission: snuff out the five faculty members that took it upon themselves to fail his thesis, which they had found extremely flattering. The Greek Gods couldn’t have picked a more unlikely serial killer but Jams eventually comes to accept his fate (more like he is forced to when Hera shows him what will happen if he should fail at his task).
The Cambridge List is a humorous dark comedy full of mystery, thrill and adventure. James Conner is a very likable character who I found myself feeling bad for in the beginning and rooting for as I turned the last pages. He may have been doing the Gods’ will, but he was getting his comeuppance as well. There were some truly inventive and gruesome death scenes, each one more horrifying (and comical!) than the next. It isn’t too often that I find myself laughing out loud as I read a book, much less one full of the destruction and carnage that you will find between the pages of The Cambridge List. I look forward to reading future works but Robert Clear, and perhaps seeing a sequel that answers some of the questions I was left with.
*Note: I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://historicallyyoursbookreviews.b...
The Greek Gods, especially the ever vocal Queen Hera, have camped out inside James’ hippocampus where they will stay until he completes a very important mission: snuff out the five faculty members that took it upon themselves to fail his thesis, which they had found extremely flattering. The Greek Gods couldn’t have picked a more unlikely serial killer but Jams eventually comes to accept his fate (more like he is forced to when Hera shows him what will happen if he should fail at his task).
The Cambridge List is a humorous dark comedy full of mystery, thrill and adventure. James Conner is a very likable character who I found myself feeling bad for in the beginning and rooting for as I turned the last pages. He may have been doing the Gods’ will, but he was getting his comeuppance as well. There were some truly inventive and gruesome death scenes, each one more horrifying (and comical!) than the next. It isn’t too often that I find myself laughing out loud as I read a book, much less one full of the destruction and carnage that you will find between the pages of The Cambridge List. I look forward to reading future works but Robert Clear, and perhaps seeing a sequel that answers some of the questions I was left with.
*Note: I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://historicallyyoursbookreviews.b...
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August 15, 2011The Cambridge List by Robert Clear
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews
James Connor thinks that murdering his former professors in cold blood is rather a bad idea. Unfortunately his head has been commandeered by a bloodthirsty family of Greek gods, so he doesn’t have a say in the matter. With Hera and Aphrodite at each other’s throats and Dionysos failing to keep order, James’s brain has become a cosmic conflict zone, and he’s worried they’ll leave it in ruins. There’s only one way out: he has to go from socially inept young man to slick sociopath fast. If only he wasn’t so squeamish about mass slaughter.
Follow the world’s least menacing serial killer on his awkwardly murderous journey through the little town of Cambridge, where ancient rituals, scheming academics and divine politics collide. And where murder has consequences unforeseen even by the gods themselves… (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
This book is awesome! It has it all! It's very fast paced and once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. The book had humor, however, it was a darker humor and not the type of humor for everyone, I enjoy a bit of dark humor, so this book was right up my ally.
I didn't want this story to end, it was such an enjoyable read! All of the characters were believable and the voice was very strong.
I absolutely loved the writing style it was also very strong. The story itself I found to be very original. I would recommend it to everyone I know that likes dark humor. Clear is an author to watch!
* Format: Kindle Edition
* File Size: 424 KB
* Publisher: Robert Clear (March 19, 2011)
* Author: Robert Clear
* Overall rating ***** out of 5 stars
* Cover art: I liked the simplicity of it.
* Obtained: I received a PDF from the author for review.
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews
James Connor thinks that murdering his former professors in cold blood is rather a bad idea. Unfortunately his head has been commandeered by a bloodthirsty family of Greek gods, so he doesn’t have a say in the matter. With Hera and Aphrodite at each other’s throats and Dionysos failing to keep order, James’s brain has become a cosmic conflict zone, and he’s worried they’ll leave it in ruins. There’s only one way out: he has to go from socially inept young man to slick sociopath fast. If only he wasn’t so squeamish about mass slaughter.
Follow the world’s least menacing serial killer on his awkwardly murderous journey through the little town of Cambridge, where ancient rituals, scheming academics and divine politics collide. And where murder has consequences unforeseen even by the gods themselves… (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
This book is awesome! It has it all! It's very fast paced and once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. The book had humor, however, it was a darker humor and not the type of humor for everyone, I enjoy a bit of dark humor, so this book was right up my ally.
I didn't want this story to end, it was such an enjoyable read! All of the characters were believable and the voice was very strong.
I absolutely loved the writing style it was also very strong. The story itself I found to be very original. I would recommend it to everyone I know that likes dark humor. Clear is an author to watch!
* Format: Kindle Edition
* File Size: 424 KB
* Publisher: Robert Clear (March 19, 2011)
* Author: Robert Clear
* Overall rating ***** out of 5 stars
* Cover art: I liked the simplicity of it.
* Obtained: I received a PDF from the author for review.
July 13, 2012
I enjoyed Robert Clear's The Cambridge List, the first work I'd read by the author. A bitter former Cambridge student is charged by the Olympian Gods to murder the five academics responsible for failing his thesis on, well, the Olympian Gods themselves.
The humour is black and bloody, as this unlikely serial killer (I thought of a young Hugh Grant) botches his way through a series of murders. Clear steers a difficult course with the readers' sympathies. Although all the lecturers James Connor dispatches are corrupt in some way, most of them display finer feelings at some point. The first name on the list - Harriet Mason - is written as a true grotesque in the Roald Dahl mould, and her odious nature will have most readers siding with the murderer.
The goings on in Cambridge are counterpointed by dissent within the ranks of the Gods themselves, and while the council wranglings were not the book's highlight, the fruity language used by the Gods of Olympus was great fun.
Foul-mouthed, jet black humour and genuinely funny, The Cambridge List isn't a perfect novel: it leaves several loose ends, a blatant MacGuffin in the form of an experimental drug, and introduces an additional sidekick in the form of journalist Wendy Pipford far too late in the day. Perhaps there's going to be a sequel, who knows? But in spite of these minor structural problems, it's a great fun read.
The humour is black and bloody, as this unlikely serial killer (I thought of a young Hugh Grant) botches his way through a series of murders. Clear steers a difficult course with the readers' sympathies. Although all the lecturers James Connor dispatches are corrupt in some way, most of them display finer feelings at some point. The first name on the list - Harriet Mason - is written as a true grotesque in the Roald Dahl mould, and her odious nature will have most readers siding with the murderer.
The goings on in Cambridge are counterpointed by dissent within the ranks of the Gods themselves, and while the council wranglings were not the book's highlight, the fruity language used by the Gods of Olympus was great fun.
Foul-mouthed, jet black humour and genuinely funny, The Cambridge List isn't a perfect novel: it leaves several loose ends, a blatant MacGuffin in the form of an experimental drug, and introduces an additional sidekick in the form of journalist Wendy Pipford far too late in the day. Perhaps there's going to be a sequel, who knows? But in spite of these minor structural problems, it's a great fun read.
August 30, 2011
This book was hilarious. I love a good dark comedy and this was one of the most original ones that I've read for awhile. Be warned though that the dark comedy is not for everyone though. James is a university student who feels like he's been wronged but he doesn't think much of it, until he finds himself overtaken by Greek gods who feel like they've been wronged and want vengeance. There's quite a couple graphic/ dark comedic scenes that you should be warned of. I was fine with them as they don't seem to be in the story simply to be needlessly shocking.
The book takes on the sort of arc of a traditional Greek myth where the gods bend a mortal to do their bidding but the book has so many different twists and turns that it's anything but traditional. The story is very fast paced. The characters are great. I really liked The Muse (Museli). She kind of becomes the guide to James and helps him along the way. She's very funny. This book had a lot of moments where I actually laughed aloud, a mark of a good book.
I did find myself wishing that I knew a little bit more about James as a character before the gods were in his head. It would have been nice to know him a little bit better.
Bottom line: this book is a lot of fun and definitely unique!
The book takes on the sort of arc of a traditional Greek myth where the gods bend a mortal to do their bidding but the book has so many different twists and turns that it's anything but traditional. The story is very fast paced. The characters are great. I really liked The Muse (Museli). She kind of becomes the guide to James and helps him along the way. She's very funny. This book had a lot of moments where I actually laughed aloud, a mark of a good book.
I did find myself wishing that I knew a little bit more about James as a character before the gods were in his head. It would have been nice to know him a little bit better.
Bottom line: this book is a lot of fun and definitely unique!
June 8, 2012
This book reminds me of Tom Sharpe’s work in that it becomes almost manically funny in places. Five monstrous and venal Cambridge classics dons meet a series of unlikely ends due to the influence of a group of egocentric and spiteful Olympians who are outraged at their lack of belief. James, an ex-student of the Cambridge List, who has also suffered injustice at the hands of the academics, is both the perpetrator and the victim here, as the gods are waging their personal vendettas in his brain. In spite of the fact that I would really be morally outraged at the thought of condoning murder, I was swept along with the story and loved the feuding gods and goddesses and the grossly immoral university staff.
I found the writing style intelligent, accessible and very funny. Humour is always a personal thing and I can’t guarantee it will suit everybody but this book was entirely to my taste. If you love caricature, the exercise of a clever imagination and have a sense of the ridiculous it will be to yours too. I am delighted to learn that a sequel is on the cards.
I found the writing style intelligent, accessible and very funny. Humour is always a personal thing and I can’t guarantee it will suit everybody but this book was entirely to my taste. If you love caricature, the exercise of a clever imagination and have a sense of the ridiculous it will be to yours too. I am delighted to learn that a sequel is on the cards.
November 13, 2014
(Review originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
The Cambridge List caught my attention because it incorporated Greek mythology. I love reading about the Greek gods, and Robert Clear has really taken on these strong personalities very well. While I didn’t necessarily fall in love with it, The Cambridge List was definitely unique.
Honestly, the book was weird. But I must admit, despite some lewd, disturbing moments, I was curious enough to finish it. James is commandeered by the gods to murder people – and they just happen to be his former professors. That, in itself, is a big storyline and takes up majority of the book. But there are two other stories that come into play, which made the book much richer than I expected.
The Cambridge List is not necessarily for everyone. But if you want to read something unique, don’t mind some lewdness and a lot of murder and mayhem, then this may just interest you.
The Cambridge List caught my attention because it incorporated Greek mythology. I love reading about the Greek gods, and Robert Clear has really taken on these strong personalities very well. While I didn’t necessarily fall in love with it, The Cambridge List was definitely unique.
Honestly, the book was weird. But I must admit, despite some lewd, disturbing moments, I was curious enough to finish it. James is commandeered by the gods to murder people – and they just happen to be his former professors. That, in itself, is a big storyline and takes up majority of the book. But there are two other stories that come into play, which made the book much richer than I expected.
The Cambridge List is not necessarily for everyone. But if you want to read something unique, don’t mind some lewdness and a lot of murder and mayhem, then this may just interest you.
September 8, 2012
I bought this book because I'm from the Cambridge area and I saw it stocked in Cambridge Waterstones, to which I thought getting a book into a national chain of books stores was impressive. Also, the cover is quite stylish and so I quite literally, judged a book by its cover.
This is an interesting and original story. A failed Cambridge student is given a task by the gods of Olympus which are residing in his brain. They give him the task of murdering a series of corrupt Cambridge academics and so the world's least scary serial killer is born.
This is a funny novel that is also quite shocking in places. Not because of the murders but because somewhere on this earth, people that grotesque exist. I really liked the character Muesli, she is someone I'd like to see come back. The scene of the punt chase is very funny; if you ever been on one you'll understand why. I would like to have had more at the ending but I wonder, will there be a sequel? I feel we haven't seen the last of Wendy, at least I hope not.
This is an interesting and original story. A failed Cambridge student is given a task by the gods of Olympus which are residing in his brain. They give him the task of murdering a series of corrupt Cambridge academics and so the world's least scary serial killer is born.
This is a funny novel that is also quite shocking in places. Not because of the murders but because somewhere on this earth, people that grotesque exist. I really liked the character Muesli, she is someone I'd like to see come back. The scene of the punt chase is very funny; if you ever been on one you'll understand why. I would like to have had more at the ending but I wonder, will there be a sequel? I feel we haven't seen the last of Wendy, at least I hope not.
March 31, 2013
I picked this book up because I am working my way through my Kindle TBR from longest unread forward. This was next on the list.
After reading the first four chapters and encountering vulgar language and all to graphic potty "humor", I almost made this the second book in my life I stopped reading. However, I stuck with it in hopes that it would get better, as the premise seemed interesting.
It did get better. I am not sure if I would recommend it, but definitely a good dark humor piece with a clever incorporation of the Greek pantheon.
As is usual in my experience, the editing was not up to par. Mostly minor things like of instead of off, but one case in which
Overall ok.
Oh, and because I am not British there was some slang that even my Kindle didn't know how to define. Not something I marked the book down for, as it is obviously British in origin, but frustrating, nonetheless.
After reading the first four chapters and encountering vulgar language and all to graphic potty "humor", I almost made this the second book in my life I stopped reading. However, I stuck with it in hopes that it would get better, as the premise seemed interesting.
It did get better. I am not sure if I would recommend it, but definitely a good dark humor piece with a clever incorporation of the Greek pantheon.
As is usual in my experience, the editing was not up to par. Mostly minor things like of instead of off, but one case in which
Overall ok.
Oh, and because I am not British there was some slang that even my Kindle didn't know how to define. Not something I marked the book down for, as it is obviously British in origin, but frustrating, nonetheless.
February 19, 2014
Started out well enough - not to be takens seriously but began as an entertaining escapist romp in fantasy. However, about halfway through the book, I got a little bored. It became repetitive, the pace didn''t change, we knew the plotline from early on and there wasn't any curve balls or unexpteced twists and turns.. I skim read the last half of the book. Give it a go if you like fantasy and want a light read,
January 5, 2012
You can red my review by clicking on the link below
http://kyanarasmadreviews.blogspot.co...
http://kyanarasmadreviews.blogspot.co...
July 29, 2011
Really funny and creative! Full review on my blog: http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com
July 28, 2012
Tale about a former student who takes an unlicensed medication that leads to some very weird events going on inside and outside his head.
June 27, 2012
This was on offer on Kindle and the review sounded great, so I was pretty disappointed as it didn't live up to the write up.
May 31, 2016
Interesting idea, but I found this v difficult to get into
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