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The Man Who Would Be King
Fans of Dumb and Dumber and Forrest Gump will love this “hilarious” book. (Screencraft)
“A hilarious and quick read. If you’re a fan of absurdist humor this is the book for you.” —Tyson Harvey, Amazon reviewer
They’re not exactly the A-Team…
Benjamin was never the sharpest tool in the shed. For as long as he can remember, he’s longed for adventure in far away lands. But every day he wakes up in the same boring suburb, where nothing ever happens. He rides his bike, reads Soldier of Fortune magazine with his best friend Jim, and wastes time working a dead end job at the local convenience store.
But when a phone scam from Somali grifters puts dollar signs in Ben-jamin’s eyes, he and Jim hatch a hare-brained scheme. Ditching their daily grind and jetting off to the coast of Africa, Benjamin and Jim plot to convince the locals they are highly trained Navy Seals and demand the Somali pirates turn over their treasure…
It’s not a great plan. In fact, it might just get them killed…
But through a combination of crazy coincidences, inept schemes, and plain dumb luck, these dim-witted dreamers are determined to get rich, or die trying.
Can these two soldiers of misfortune pull off the ultimate con?
“The lunacy made me laugh out loud and the energetic plot kept me eagerly anticipating what craziness would happen next.” —Mr. B, Amazon reviewer
“I loved this book so much! What a fun (and quick!) read!! Rarely do I laugh OUT LOUD reading a novel. But this one had me in stitches.” —Amazon reviewer
“I’m not that much a fan of Dumb & Dumber and the ilk, but I have to admit I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Jim and Jam! Call it what you will—absurd, slapstick, or potty humor—it does reel you in.” —Shari Held, Amazon reviewer
“A hilarious and quick read. If you’re a fan of absurdist humor this is the book for you.” —Tyson Harvey, Amazon reviewer
They’re not exactly the A-Team…
Benjamin was never the sharpest tool in the shed. For as long as he can remember, he’s longed for adventure in far away lands. But every day he wakes up in the same boring suburb, where nothing ever happens. He rides his bike, reads Soldier of Fortune magazine with his best friend Jim, and wastes time working a dead end job at the local convenience store.
But when a phone scam from Somali grifters puts dollar signs in Ben-jamin’s eyes, he and Jim hatch a hare-brained scheme. Ditching their daily grind and jetting off to the coast of Africa, Benjamin and Jim plot to convince the locals they are highly trained Navy Seals and demand the Somali pirates turn over their treasure…
It’s not a great plan. In fact, it might just get them killed…
But through a combination of crazy coincidences, inept schemes, and plain dumb luck, these dim-witted dreamers are determined to get rich, or die trying.
Can these two soldiers of misfortune pull off the ultimate con?
“The lunacy made me laugh out loud and the energetic plot kept me eagerly anticipating what craziness would happen next.” —Mr. B, Amazon reviewer
“I loved this book so much! What a fun (and quick!) read!! Rarely do I laugh OUT LOUD reading a novel. But this one had me in stitches.” —Amazon reviewer
“I’m not that much a fan of Dumb & Dumber and the ilk, but I have to admit I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Jim and Jam! Call it what you will—absurd, slapstick, or potty humor—it does reel you in.” —Shari Held, Amazon reviewer
510 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
15 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Addison J. Chapple
8 books29 followersAddison J. Chapple enjoys writing books that make people laugh and that leave them with a message of hope and a greater understanding of the world around them. Following an award-winning career as an actor on Broadway, Addison began working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, managing writers and helping to develop literary properties for film and television, before turning to creative endeavors. Addison has since become a prolific author with a keen sense of story that resonates in both the publishing and film worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 12, 2023
Jam (short for Benjamin) and his pal Jim have champagne wishes and caviar dreams even though their waking hours are spent toiling away at the 7-11 in Welch, Iowa.
Jam's latest get-rich-quick scheme involves dressing like Navy Seals to claim a treasure, but has ended with them being kidnapped by Somali pirates.
Big gulp!
Can Jam's Grandma Jelly and the horny elderly ladies of Ample Hills save their bacon?
This was a hilarious audiobook with fantastic and enthusiastic narration by George Newbern.
Jam's latest get-rich-quick scheme involves dressing like Navy Seals to claim a treasure, but has ended with them being kidnapped by Somali pirates.
Big gulp!
Can Jam's Grandma Jelly and the horny elderly ladies of Ample Hills save their bacon?
This was a hilarious audiobook with fantastic and enthusiastic narration by George Newbern.
February 9, 2024
Nine months ago when a read an advanced copy of Addison Chapple’s absurdist book, “Santa Ana,” published in April, 2023, I found it to be great fun. Her book, “The Man Who Would Be King,” published in 2020, however, is nothing like its successor. “Santa Ana” is a madcap adventure full of improbabilities and ridiculous events, but after getting the various characters straight in my head I was able to appreciate the absurdities for what they were: pure fun. Although “The Man Who Would Be King” also is full of improbabilities and ridiculous events, and although I never had any difficulty differentiating the characters, I didn’t find this book nearly as fun or interesting as “Santa Ana.” Perhaps Ms. Chapple was able to hone her skills more fully after writing “The Man Who Would Be King” with her subsequent novel “Rambling with Rebah” and before she wrote “Santa Ana.” Whatever is the case, I found that the short 241 pages dragged on interminably. All of the characters are just plain stupid, with the two main protagonists being the most stupid of all. There weren’t any scenarios in the book that could come anywhere close to being real, and in my opinion, the book is just silly for the sake of being silly—like bathroom humor without the “gross” factor and without any of the humor. I received an advance review copy of “The Man Who Would Be King” for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 5, 2020
I received a epub copy of this book from HiddenGems, and this is a voluntary and honest review.
On checking for details of this author, I was very surprised that the writer was in fact American. I would have picked the humour in this book to be British, which is my favourite type of humour. As a result, I really enjoyed this book.
There's lots of eye-rolling antics in the book following a main character (Jam) and his side-kick (Jim) as they pursue a treasure that will lift them to a wealthy champagne and caviar status that (especially Jam) believes that he is entitled to.
As well as the humour, there is also a 'hidden' message in the story, which really becomes more evident close to the end of the story. It addresses the common problem in society of people concentrating too much on their own ambition, whilst (totally?) ignoring the people and society/environment they are currently in, they are blind to treasure that is right in front of them.
A very well told tale, funny and well edited. Definitely recommend.
On checking for details of this author, I was very surprised that the writer was in fact American. I would have picked the humour in this book to be British, which is my favourite type of humour. As a result, I really enjoyed this book.
There's lots of eye-rolling antics in the book following a main character (Jam) and his side-kick (Jim) as they pursue a treasure that will lift them to a wealthy champagne and caviar status that (especially Jam) believes that he is entitled to.
As well as the humour, there is also a 'hidden' message in the story, which really becomes more evident close to the end of the story. It addresses the common problem in society of people concentrating too much on their own ambition, whilst (totally?) ignoring the people and society/environment they are currently in, they are blind to treasure that is right in front of them.
A very well told tale, funny and well edited. Definitely recommend.
August 15, 2022
The Man Who Would Be King has a very 80s screwball comedy feel, like an updated Spies Like Us. Jam and Jim are slacker friends stuck in Welch, IA, dreaming of how to get rich without doing any work. When Jam gets a scam call about Somali treasure and sees news about pirate ransom, he borrows money from his grandma, Jelly (of course), who is stuck in a nursing home of extremely horny ladies, all the more so when the lone man dies of a heart attack.
Jam and Jim go to Somalia and fail up through numerous happy accidents and extremely fortuitous timing, and almost get away with negotiating for a cut of treasure as fake "Army" SEALs until they drop one too many glaring clues that they are clueless.
This is funny enough that the loose ends and lack of editing can be forgiven for some goofy fun.
Jam and Jim go to Somalia and fail up through numerous happy accidents and extremely fortuitous timing, and almost get away with negotiating for a cut of treasure as fake "Army" SEALs until they drop one too many glaring clues that they are clueless.
This is funny enough that the loose ends and lack of editing can be forgiven for some goofy fun.
August 16, 2021
This was a refreshing, comical read after reading so many books with darker themes. The main characters, Jam and Jim, reminded me of some of the people in my friend group; picturing my friends in their shenanigans was highly entertaining.
It was a pretty quick read, which was perfect for summer. I finished the book fairly quickly in about two sittings over the course of two days, only because I was trying to get through too many books at once. It gave me the feeling of a fun, lighthearted vacation novel, which is always a great idea!
The characters were odd, but I loved them. Jam and Grandma Jelly were definitely my favorites; I loved them both individually and as a duo. I do have mixed feelings on some of the old women's actions, particularly on the plane with the flight attendant, but otherwise, their antics were funny.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It was a pretty quick read, which was perfect for summer. I finished the book fairly quickly in about two sittings over the course of two days, only because I was trying to get through too many books at once. It gave me the feeling of a fun, lighthearted vacation novel, which is always a great idea!
The characters were odd, but I loved them. Jam and Grandma Jelly were definitely my favorites; I loved them both individually and as a duo. I do have mixed feelings on some of the old women's actions, particularly on the plane with the flight attendant, but otherwise, their antics were funny.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2020
Can see it all playing out like a movie
Buffoonery abounds! If you like Will Farrell, Seth Rogan, and that sort of comedy shtick,, you'll be entertained by the less-than-brilliant schemes of Jam and Jim. Laugh out loud moments!
Buffoonery abounds! If you like Will Farrell, Seth Rogan, and that sort of comedy shtick,, you'll be entertained by the less-than-brilliant schemes of Jam and Jim. Laugh out loud moments!
December 4, 2022
DRC from Edelweiss and Level 4 Press, Inc.
Jam and his friend Jim are always looking for the quick buck without having to work for it. When Jam sees a blurb on TV about kidnappers, ransom money, and pirates, the two head to Somali disguised as Navy SEALS to steal from the pirates. What follows is a series of bad decisions and crazy timing resulting in lots of humor.
Jam and his friend Jim are always looking for the quick buck without having to work for it. When Jam sees a blurb on TV about kidnappers, ransom money, and pirates, the two head to Somali disguised as Navy SEALS to steal from the pirates. What follows is a series of bad decisions and crazy timing resulting in lots of humor.
Read
July 1, 2020Funny and Quick
It’s a funny quick read full of absurdism. It’s purposefully not very PC, so be warned—it’s also heavy on the potty humor.
It’s a funny quick read full of absurdism. It’s purposefully not very PC, so be warned—it’s also heavy on the potty humor.
September 4, 2025
I thought that this was an okay read. Light, entertaining, and amusing at times.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews