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The Diary of a Has-Been
Arnold Appleforth claims getting old is all about attitude. And if that's the case he needs all the attitude he can get, because his journalistic career is on life support, his sex life non-existent (except for a recent regrettable incident at a well-known chain restaurant), his financial position precarious and his alcohol consumption prodigious. Add to that his abysmal parenting of his three (or is it four?) children and the biohazard status of his flat, and life isn't a bed of roses. So Arnold decides to keep a diary, a daily dose of inspiration to keep his blood pumping. It'll deal with his own life with intimate, eye-watering honesty and also include pungent political comment on the disgraceful state of contemporary Britain. With a view to publication of course - who wouldn't want to enjoy his wit and wisdom? Join Arnold as he drops pearly bon mots before swine and makes one last grab for literary immortality. And struggles to survive in a sadly unappreciative world...
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 5, 2021
Nope not for me...
October 25, 2016
Advanced Copy from NetGalley
With most elderly folk you either love them or hate them there isn't much in between, but when I finished "The Diary of A Has-Been" I wasn't really sure what to make of Arthur. He's rude, selfish, a drunk, and yet I find myself wanting him to win. Arthur used to have a successful journalistic career and that shows through his "magnum-opus" as he calls it, but what is lacking is any sort of character development. Arthur is the same grumpy old man from page 1 to the end, and while it is humorous to read his thoughts and interactions with his friends and family, he is so stuck in his ways that he doesn't have that moment where he really shines.
I found myself slowly enjoying the book more as I read it but then the last quarter of the book I realized that nothing is really changing and that killed any enthusiasm I had reading. I will say that I'm not familiar with British politics and didn't understand the political views/jokes Arthur has/makes in his diary. I'm sure this might have made a little impact on my thoughts. Overall, Arthur's honesty and humor is what really shines in "The Diary of A Has-Been" and being a quick read makes it worth picking up but maybe not adding to any bookshelves.
With most elderly folk you either love them or hate them there isn't much in between, but when I finished "The Diary of A Has-Been" I wasn't really sure what to make of Arthur. He's rude, selfish, a drunk, and yet I find myself wanting him to win. Arthur used to have a successful journalistic career and that shows through his "magnum-opus" as he calls it, but what is lacking is any sort of character development. Arthur is the same grumpy old man from page 1 to the end, and while it is humorous to read his thoughts and interactions with his friends and family, he is so stuck in his ways that he doesn't have that moment where he really shines.
I found myself slowly enjoying the book more as I read it but then the last quarter of the book I realized that nothing is really changing and that killed any enthusiasm I had reading. I will say that I'm not familiar with British politics and didn't understand the political views/jokes Arthur has/makes in his diary. I'm sure this might have made a little impact on my thoughts. Overall, Arthur's honesty and humor is what really shines in "The Diary of A Has-Been" and being a quick read makes it worth picking up but maybe not adding to any bookshelves.
October 20, 2016
The first thought which came to mind when I got hands on “The Diary of a Has-been” was ‘how does this compare to “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen“?’ Both are diaries of elderly people and yes, there are some parallels between both books.
“The Diary of a Has-been” is funny in episodes, but does not have the funny level and emotional debt which “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” has in general.
There’s a 20 year different and a geological difference and that provides a space for 2 different background stories between both characters. “The Diary of a Has-been” is about 60 year old man which has been a life-long left wing with a mind set still in the 70’s. His behavior is self centered.
It wasn’t my kind of book, certainly because I had “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” to compare to, which to me is one of the best books I’ve read this year. “The Diary of a Has-been” is OK but certainly not great. You’ll have a chuckle ever now and then and yes it will entertain you, it is well written but obviously just for the UK market.
“The Diary of a Has-been” is funny in episodes, but does not have the funny level and emotional debt which “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” has in general.
There’s a 20 year different and a geological difference and that provides a space for 2 different background stories between both characters. “The Diary of a Has-been” is about 60 year old man which has been a life-long left wing with a mind set still in the 70’s. His behavior is self centered.
It wasn’t my kind of book, certainly because I had “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” to compare to, which to me is one of the best books I’ve read this year. “The Diary of a Has-been” is OK but certainly not great. You’ll have a chuckle ever now and then and yes it will entertain you, it is well written but obviously just for the UK market.
October 20, 2016
Arnold Appleforth gives "grumpy old man" a whole new meaning in his diary. Arnold means well, but often falls a bit short without even realizing it, in a world where he feels unappreciated and is desperately trying to stay relevant to not only his children, however many he has, but the world around him. He has uncompromising opinions, his denial of his age, drinking, and life are hilarious and his ability to justify the way he is and why the world around him is no longer the way he thinks it should be is perfectly framed in his diary. His complete cluelessness about his own attitude and behavior really made for a funny read.
October 31, 2016
A bitter sweet, funny fictional diary of Arnold Appleforth, journalist.
His life is not what it was, so he writes a diary.
The author of this great book, William Humble is a prolific author of well known film and TV masterpieces and this novel certainly doesn't disappoint.
Great read and very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Urbane Publications via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
His life is not what it was, so he writes a diary.
The author of this great book, William Humble is a prolific author of well known film and TV masterpieces and this novel certainly doesn't disappoint.
Great read and very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Urbane Publications via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
November 2, 2016
This book took me a while to get into and I could not decide whether it was supposed to be funny or not.
May just be the mood I am in at the moment but this book was not for me although it was well written.
May just be the mood I am in at the moment but this book was not for me although it was well written.
November 12, 2016
I thought it was hilarious. A really original comic voice. Arnold is monstrously selfish and self-deluded and I ended up loving him.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews