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Tough Tough Toys for Tough Tough Boys
This collection of short stories explores the 'muddy foreshore and abysmal depths' of the human psyche. "Caring, Sharing" envisages a realm where adults can be the children they really are, while "The Nonce Prize" presents a chilling portrait of a man who has been framed as a child abuser.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
31 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Will Self
172 books1,005 followersWilliam Self is an English novelist, reviewer and columnist. He received his education at University College School, Christ's College Finchley, and Exeter College, Oxford. He was married to the late journalist Deborah Orr.
Self is known for his satirical, grotesque and fantastic novels and short stories set in seemingly parallel universes.
Self is known for his satirical, grotesque and fantastic novels and short stories set in seemingly parallel universes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 29, 2014
Who says short story collections have to be 30% filler? Will Self hits eight consecutive balls out of the proverbial park with his third collection of short fiction, Tough, Tough Toys for Tough, Tough Boys. Whether writing a story about two drug-dealing brothers who find a stratum of crack beneath their London flat; or about a pair of parents worrying over their child's mental development, oblivious to the fact that the gibberish Baby is spouting is actually fluent business German; or another about an alternate now where most adults are emotional wimps who need emotes - 12 foot tall mutants which share their owners genetic makeup - to coddle and pamper their pathetic little psyches; or another pair of stories, including the titular tale, which clinically recounts the slow descent of a boozy, womanizing psychoanalyst into emotional vacuity; or about a misanthropic work-at-homer who develops a symbiotic relationship with the bugs which infest his flat; or another about the horror of realizing how many people have the fucking name "David" - Self packs his stories with enough humor, incident, and his own strange approach to social commentary to keep you, dear reader, a happy reader. But the real prize pony in this collection is the novella "The Nonce Prize" which takes one of the drug dealers from the first story I mentioned, frames him for a horrific act of pedophilia and murder, and then locks him away in a prison where his only hope for a reprieve stems from whether or not he can beat his pedophiliac peers in a short story writing contest. Self's satire is vicious and on point in this collection, making Tough, Tough Toys for Tough, Tough Boys a wonderful place to start reading Self.
November 2, 2010
A baby speaks in business German. A colony of flies forms an ecosystem in a stressed husband's loft. A pedophile wins a literary prize. What more could you want?
February 25, 2019
It feels difficult to like Will Self sometimes because he enjoys using pompous language, he likes to pontificate and enunciate, to detail and complicate. And yet this is the same reason why it's hard to dislike him, because in the end it still works and you're left with some fun, strange and unusual stories.
I'm not sure how it is for native speakers, but I do find myself reaching for the dictionary when reading his works, which can disturb the flow sometimes; but otherwise, in spite of his style of writing, you can keep at it and it falls into place - it's work that you enjoy. You go through the rough jungle of his short prose and machete away the complicated vine-like sentences, jump over those cumbersome word trunks that stand in your way and you got yourself a memorable literary adventure.
It's a 7/10 for me, which I'll round up to 4/5.
I'm not sure how it is for native speakers, but I do find myself reaching for the dictionary when reading his works, which can disturb the flow sometimes; but otherwise, in spite of his style of writing, you can keep at it and it falls into place - it's work that you enjoy. You go through the rough jungle of his short prose and machete away the complicated vine-like sentences, jump over those cumbersome word trunks that stand in your way and you got yourself a memorable literary adventure.
It's a 7/10 for me, which I'll round up to 4/5.
April 17, 2020
Strange as fuck lil collection of short stories, bit mind boggling and mad at times but also kind of amazing x
August 11, 2011
My mouse pointer hesitates over the "recommend to friends" button, not because I didn't thoroughly enjoy this book--with every Self title I read I immediately want to read more--he surprises at every turn, his prose snicker-snacks electrically across the page--but yes, he's verbose and very British and I live in, well, America. The hesitation is because he's challenging and therefore all the more rewarding but some readers might not be looking for this sort of a challenge. But screw it. My mouse will punch that recommend button, big words be damned. At the bar the other day I discovered that an American acquaintance enjoys reading Self. Sure, it helps to be not a little dark of mind with a predilection for drug culture, surrealism, and dark "humour", but Self's work stands on its own bent laurels--with a logic all its own but sound nonetheless.
I disagree with the reviewer above who found "The Nonce Prize" weak... and an unnecessary response to Crack Rock as Big as the Ritz. Amazing, intricate stuff.
The blurbs compare him to Vonnegut, etc. Flattering indeed, but I think his lineage descends more directly frm Swift by way of Ballard. Top shelf stuff.
I disagree with the reviewer above who found "The Nonce Prize" weak... and an unnecessary response to Crack Rock as Big as the Ritz. Amazing, intricate stuff.
The blurbs compare him to Vonnegut, etc. Flattering indeed, but I think his lineage descends more directly frm Swift by way of Ballard. Top shelf stuff.
June 4, 2016
4.5/5 stars, only because two of the stories in the middle aren't as amazing as 3/4 of the book.
This is my introduction to a writer I suspect I will cherish as I do an Eggers, or Saunders, and for essentially the same reasons. "Caring, Sharing" in particular blew me away: satirical, dark, incisive, incredibly inventive. I will now begin working my way through Will Self's other works. Very highly recommended for lovers of contemporary and/or dark fiction.
This is my introduction to a writer I suspect I will cherish as I do an Eggers, or Saunders, and for essentially the same reasons. "Caring, Sharing" in particular blew me away: satirical, dark, incisive, incredibly inventive. I will now begin working my way through Will Self's other works. Very highly recommended for lovers of contemporary and/or dark fiction.
November 26, 2019
Between 1989-1999, I doubt England produced a more lavishly gifted writer of short fiction than Will Self. His novels rarely succeed and typically run out of steam by chapter five. In his stories, as in his best journalism, Self can swoop, soar and quit while he's still ahead.
My enduring favourite remains 'Flytopia' - and I have been known to quote its closing paragraphs at the dinner table.
My enduring favourite remains 'Flytopia' - and I have been known to quote its closing paragraphs at the dinner table.
September 3, 2016
I was attracted to Will Self by his reputation as an absurdist writer. Some of his concepts here were interesting. However I found his style to be over literary, which these days feels clunky to me.
April 24, 2025
Highlight of the collection for me is Story for Europe, featuring the business-minded German speaking baby. Self is, imo, one of the best living prose stylists who I have yet to really love anything they’ve written (though I’ve made only a dent in his oeuvre). The stories are fun, even exciting sometimes, but they often just feel like, how do the Brits say, “taking the piss”
August 30, 2025
Its like I didn’t like a couple of these stores but the actual tough tough etc… short story was quite good. Like an easy read which kept me interested, I certainly thought it was structured nicely but nothing really resonated deeply with me, but not every story does.
I think its more of a personal preference thing though but i can’t give it 2 or 4 so it has to be 3. but like a 2.6.
I think its more of a personal preference thing though but i can’t give it 2 or 4 so it has to be 3. but like a 2.6.
August 5, 2022
As with all short story collections, some are better than others.
If you're a fan of Will Self, you'll definitely like this collection. If you've not read any Will Self, it's not a bad one to try as it is pretty representative of what he does in his novels.
If you're a fan of Will Self, you'll definitely like this collection. If you've not read any Will Self, it's not a bad one to try as it is pretty representative of what he does in his novels.
July 9, 2009
This was my first Will Self book and remains one of my favorites. It was an excellent presage for the other books I'd read by him and contains some amazing stories that I find myself still thinking about years later.
Every story here is interesting, and like a lot of his work, you don't necessarily pick up every nuance on the first read. I think Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo is a great story, but it's one that at first bored me a bit. Every single thing I've read by Self has either entertained me or at least added to the lexicon of facts and words I keep in my cranium. As an introduction to this guy's work, his ability to freak you out, and his amazing far ranging talent I think this book is top notch.
Having read all of his stuff I'd say that Great Apes is my favorite, but perhaps it's the stories that make the most me the most uncomfortable are the ones which have the most hidden nuggets of knowledge to impart.
I have repeatedly skipped over Flytopia when re-reading this book because it creates the reality so thoroughly for me that I can't bear to participate in it. Is that more impressive than a story which I merely enjoy? Either way, this book and just about any other Will Self book is worth the time of anyone who is ready to be challenged and entertained and potentially feel a bit nauseous...
Enjoy!
Every story here is interesting, and like a lot of his work, you don't necessarily pick up every nuance on the first read. I think Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo is a great story, but it's one that at first bored me a bit. Every single thing I've read by Self has either entertained me or at least added to the lexicon of facts and words I keep in my cranium. As an introduction to this guy's work, his ability to freak you out, and his amazing far ranging talent I think this book is top notch.
Having read all of his stuff I'd say that Great Apes is my favorite, but perhaps it's the stories that make the most me the most uncomfortable are the ones which have the most hidden nuggets of knowledge to impart.
I have repeatedly skipped over Flytopia when re-reading this book because it creates the reality so thoroughly for me that I can't bear to participate in it. Is that more impressive than a story which I merely enjoy? Either way, this book and just about any other Will Self book is worth the time of anyone who is ready to be challenged and entertained and potentially feel a bit nauseous...
Enjoy!
September 26, 2012
Some of the stories in this collection, all superbly written, were a bit too dark and dense for me to get into. Some others seem overly gimmicky. But a few hit the nail right on the head. A mixed bag.
June 12, 2009
It's no Book of Dave. Nor is it My Idea of Fun. But some of his short stories are quite good. Like listening to college radio: it's hit and miss. Perhaps it will be your idea of fun.
September 1, 2015
Interesting collection of short stories - some of them interlinked with interesting twists. Suffers a bit from Will Self's addiction to obscure language.
December 21, 2018
Intriguingly absurdist, ornate, and outlandish; at times a little over literary, though!
December 23, 2020
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
I can't stand this book. It's probably a good place to start to get an idea of Self's writing style. I won't be reading any more of his books.
I was drawn to his writing when I saw him on TV explaining how he creates surreal situations out of ordinary situations. I didn't really find this book particularly surreal, nor interesting. The way Self writes reminds me of a journalist - perhaps a liberally-minded journalist who writes for the Guardian. It's just smug and inherently banal.
Rather than write characters, it is like he is writing types; generic types, based on real people. You could say stereotypes. It just feels like somebody who thinks they know how the world works and likes to try to describe objectively the way things are, especially people outside of his social class. It is someone who likes to create general, everyday-type characters - perhaps characters who would read the Guardian newspaper and enjoy the review section.
The first story was readable but it didn't have an ending, just stopped. There was a story about insects or something that I ended up skim reading. Just boring. And the more I read, the more I was shouting at the book to just fuck off.
I can't stand this book. It's probably a good place to start to get an idea of Self's writing style. I won't be reading any more of his books.
I was drawn to his writing when I saw him on TV explaining how he creates surreal situations out of ordinary situations. I didn't really find this book particularly surreal, nor interesting. The way Self writes reminds me of a journalist - perhaps a liberally-minded journalist who writes for the Guardian. It's just smug and inherently banal.
Rather than write characters, it is like he is writing types; generic types, based on real people. You could say stereotypes. It just feels like somebody who thinks they know how the world works and likes to try to describe objectively the way things are, especially people outside of his social class. It is someone who likes to create general, everyday-type characters - perhaps characters who would read the Guardian newspaper and enjoy the review section.
The first story was readable but it didn't have an ending, just stopped. There was a story about insects or something that I ended up skim reading. Just boring. And the more I read, the more I was shouting at the book to just fuck off.
Want to read
November 15, 2019#1
‘Whadjergonna do then?’ asked Tembe, as the two brothers sat spliffing and beering in front of Saturday afternoon racing. Darcus nodded in the corner. On screen a man with mutton-chop whiskers made sheepish forecasts.
#2
A fly was dying in the lea of his mouse mat. As Jonathan watched it span out from the thin, hard-edged shadow and into the full glare of the Anglepoise. The fly was on its back. Must be propelling itself with its wings, thought Jonathan, as it span to a halt like a minuscule merry-go-round, the wings, the hairs, the compound eyes, returning from blur.
#6
For some seconds neither said anything. Bill pretended to concentrate on the driving and observed his captive out of the corner of his eye. The hitchhiker sat, his face almost against the windscreen, the backpack – which Bill now saw had a tent bag and roll of sleeping bag tied to it – was like a whole, upper-body splint, designed so as to force its wearer into closer contemplation of the road. A Futurist's corset.
‘Whadjergonna do then?’ asked Tembe, as the two brothers sat spliffing and beering in front of Saturday afternoon racing. Darcus nodded in the corner. On screen a man with mutton-chop whiskers made sheepish forecasts.
#2
A fly was dying in the lea of his mouse mat. As Jonathan watched it span out from the thin, hard-edged shadow and into the full glare of the Anglepoise. The fly was on its back. Must be propelling itself with its wings, thought Jonathan, as it span to a halt like a minuscule merry-go-round, the wings, the hairs, the compound eyes, returning from blur.
#6
For some seconds neither said anything. Bill pretended to concentrate on the driving and observed his captive out of the corner of his eye. The hitchhiker sat, his face almost against the windscreen, the backpack – which Bill now saw had a tent bag and roll of sleeping bag tied to it – was like a whole, upper-body splint, designed so as to force its wearer into closer contemplation of the road. A Futurist's corset.
November 7, 2020
Will Self glories in being a nasty piece of work, and when he is on, it really works. He is on more often than he is off. The stories here about the crack rock as big as the Ritz and the emotos were great. They feature interesting dysfunctional people in fantastic situations that highlight some of the moral ambiguities of modern life. They are so far out on a limb that you cannot fully take them seriously, but still there is enough serious intent that the stories are never just fluff.
There is a lot of toxic masculinity in Self's writing. His women are so objectified that to call them objects would be to elevate them. But it is presented in a way that is self aware and self mocking so that it is hard to hold it against him.
Some of the stories didn't work so well for me, but none of them are bad and the good ones are so good that they make up for the ones that are only OK.
There is a lot of toxic masculinity in Self's writing. His women are so objectified that to call them objects would be to elevate them. But it is presented in a way that is self aware and self mocking so that it is hard to hold it against him.
Some of the stories didn't work so well for me, but none of them are bad and the good ones are so good that they make up for the ones that are only OK.
June 27, 2020
This is a full on weird collection. Not carved and sanded - more like rough boulders thrown down and challenging you to navigate your path through them. It’s tricky with short stories as you lose the flow each time, and a couple (Dave Too, Caring Sharing) didn’t engage me at all. Am also a bit of a traditionalist in the neatness of an ending so the abrupt conclusion to... I won’t say which, was jarring - but then presumably that was the intention. The toddler with Business German was a hoot, and Flytopia reminded me more of Clive Barker’s Books of Blood than anything I have read in quite a while. The large indigestible grit in the human oyster is spat at you - and Self demands you react, and perhaps give thanks for your good fortune in comparison to the succession of losers and deadbeats that leap off the page. Not an easy read but hard to forget.
August 15, 2017
I enjoyed the first story in this collection of short stories, but as with much of Self's fiction I just gave up. It's not that the prose is bad, it's very well written in fact, but it just doesn't appeal to me. His style is quite absurdist and full of odd metaphors, whereas I like realist narratives. Please don't let my review put you off, particularly if you are a fan of Self's works. So far I have only enjoyed one of the three books of his that I've picked up, but only because his style and content doesn't speak to me.
The two stars is only relative to my feelings towards the book, and not indicative of the standard of writing. As they are short stories, it is worth giving them a go if you do happen across a copy.
The two stars is only relative to my feelings towards the book, and not indicative of the standard of writing. As they are short stories, it is worth giving them a go if you do happen across a copy.
January 16, 2025
This collection of short stories doesn’t exactly accomplish Self’s goal “to astonish.” Where Self does succeed, you’re left with a powerful impression. In other places, you will be left wanting for more (or much less) detail.
First story- sucks- hard to read, left me feeling sort of itchy?
Second story- gross, weird, nasty- I liked it.
Third & fourth stories- well written but forgettable
Fifth- gross
The sixth story is the best & I have thought about it on my bike every time I’m thronging upward or sputtering/ slamming through traffic.
Seventh- fine
Eighth- original, poignant, nasty, weird. I like it.
First story- sucks- hard to read, left me feeling sort of itchy?
Second story- gross, weird, nasty- I liked it.
Third & fourth stories- well written but forgettable
Fifth- gross
The sixth story is the best & I have thought about it on my bike every time I’m thronging upward or sputtering/ slamming through traffic.
Seventh- fine
Eighth- original, poignant, nasty, weird. I like it.
Read
September 27, 2022There is a story in here that altered perspective of Self. I assumed He just wrote for those ardent Lit reader's. But being Black is difficult. Not that í am determined to see every writer do all this tough affirmative action. But a story about Black issues in this is gorgeous & thought provoking. He probably doesn't even remember the story himself as he's busy writing about Telephone's & so on. Will Self used to be the King of English Lit. A description of the whole of Tate Modern upon entrance & reading this reminds why. It's Tough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2018
interesting use of vocab. Educational even.
good construction- beginnings, middles and ends . entertaining? sure . I suppose. But I didn't like much like this book./ I put it down after a few stories and didn't want go back.
I will try to put a finger on why:
Perhaps there was something a bit too clever about this writing. Something that didn't warm the cockles of my heart - didn't resonate on an emotional-human level.
Others may strongly disagree.sorry .
good construction- beginnings, middles and ends . entertaining? sure . I suppose. But I didn't like much like this book./ I put it down after a few stories and didn't want go back.
I will try to put a finger on why:
Perhaps there was something a bit too clever about this writing. Something that didn't warm the cockles of my heart - didn't resonate on an emotional-human level.
Others may strongly disagree.sorry .
April 18, 2022
This was my first time to read any of Self's short stories. I think he is a better short story writer than longer form novels.
I really liked these stories. I love the kind of language he uses. While all at the same time making them feel very much modern and present.
I really liked these stories. I love the kind of language he uses. While all at the same time making them feel very much modern and present.
December 31, 2017
An enjoyable collection. Don’t know that I will do any more Self. This wasn’t bad, but there are short story writers out there who are better.
February 22, 2020
Solid bit of Self
January 24, 2021
Weird read
September 8, 2021
Incredible collection of short stories. I loved it, therefore it's a great book. Flytopia in particular showed me previously unseen possibilities. I, too, would like to be engulfed.
March 20, 2022
Great writing within a few of the stories however, the title story reads like a British word salad road trip story similar to 'In The Desert" from Douglas Coupland's Life After God.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews