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William Walker's First Year of Marriage
William Walker, hapless journo, has just married Isabel, the girl of his dreams. The happy couple live in a small flat in Finsbury Park while William labours away at his magazine, revelling in his recent promotion from a column for which he was required to taste different brands of cat food to more dignified reportage. So far, so perfect.
But William has a Bridget Jones-ish knack for messing up the happiest of situations - he can′t help shouting at the obnoxiously precocious work experience girl and has an embarrassing tendency to forget names of women he has previously tried to sleep with. It doesn′t help that Isabel′s creepy best friend Alex is very obviously in love with her. Nor that Saskia, a vixen-ish old flame of William′s, has just moved in downstairs. As Alex slithers his way into Isabel′s heart, Saskia seems intent of resuming relations with William - or at least giving Isabel that impression.
Increasingly beset, increasingly unlucky, and increasingly hilarious, William battles his way through a series of comic disasters that threaten to destroy his relationship and reduce him to a state of sad bachelorhood - a fate, he soon realises, worse than death.
But William has a Bridget Jones-ish knack for messing up the happiest of situations - he can′t help shouting at the obnoxiously precocious work experience girl and has an embarrassing tendency to forget names of women he has previously tried to sleep with. It doesn′t help that Isabel′s creepy best friend Alex is very obviously in love with her. Nor that Saskia, a vixen-ish old flame of William′s, has just moved in downstairs. As Alex slithers his way into Isabel′s heart, Saskia seems intent of resuming relations with William - or at least giving Isabel that impression.
Increasingly beset, increasingly unlucky, and increasingly hilarious, William battles his way through a series of comic disasters that threaten to destroy his relationship and reduce him to a state of sad bachelorhood - a fate, he soon realises, worse than death.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 5, 2010
Funny, but predictable humour in a diary style but from the male point of view. If you want a light weight read that won't challenge you then this book is perfect.
February 3, 2011
This was an accidental download (thank god it was free!) as I was browsing on my phone which I checked out to see what it was like before deleting but continued to read instead. I was sucked in. ("Oh it's going to be 4 stars at least!")
A third in and I was tiring of the amazing writing style that had me reading in the first place. It was quirky and journalistic (both William and the author are journalists) that has you smirking and laughing as you nod your head in agreement with whatever calamity has just befallen this poor couple. This style meant the tone of the book remained the same throughout which led to it becoming monotonous. For a short article this would be fine but not for a novel.("Maybe 3 stars?")
William and Isobel face numerous challenges as they settle into married life including besotted best friends (Alex's unrequited love for Isobel) and crazy stalker ex-f*ck buddies (Saskia who mistakes herself for an ex-girlfriend).
Later, I became exasperated with the Alex situation and later the Saskia problem. I predicted the ending but not the way in which previously evil characters turned around, apologised and sobbed their way into becoming the architects for a happy ending. ("Oh dear, 2 stars.")
Being from the UK and a regular visitor to the London setting helped me understand the humour. I related to and sympathised with these aspects but I wouldn't say that this book has international appeal because there are too many references to British culture and it's icons, for instance the Ann Widdecombe sex gears gag. Not many people are going to know who she is without reaching out to Google for help.
Basically this book is a string of amusing observations, most of which are common anecdotal stereotypes. However, there are some absolutely hilarious ones which made this worth reading but I doubt I'll buy the sequel William's Progress: Another (sleepless) Horror Story, which plays on the ending of this one.
A third in and I was tiring of the amazing writing style that had me reading in the first place. It was quirky and journalistic (both William and the author are journalists) that has you smirking and laughing as you nod your head in agreement with whatever calamity has just befallen this poor couple. This style meant the tone of the book remained the same throughout which led to it becoming monotonous. For a short article this would be fine but not for a novel.("Maybe 3 stars?")
William and Isobel face numerous challenges as they settle into married life including besotted best friends (Alex's unrequited love for Isobel) and crazy stalker ex-f*ck buddies (Saskia who mistakes herself for an ex-girlfriend).
Later, I became exasperated with the Alex situation and later the Saskia problem. I predicted the ending but not the way in which previously evil characters turned around, apologised and sobbed their way into becoming the architects for a happy ending. ("Oh dear, 2 stars.")
Being from the UK and a regular visitor to the London setting helped me understand the humour. I related to and sympathised with these aspects but I wouldn't say that this book has international appeal because there are too many references to British culture and it's icons, for instance the Ann Widdecombe sex gears gag. Not many people are going to know who she is without reaching out to Google for help.
Basically this book is a string of amusing observations, most of which are common anecdotal stereotypes. However, there are some absolutely hilarious ones which made this worth reading but I doubt I'll buy the sequel William's Progress: Another (sleepless) Horror Story, which plays on the ending of this one.
November 14, 2024
هذا كتاب جميل للقراءة معه في الواقع
February 25, 2021
There’s something else you’d be better off reading
Not, as the title might suggest, an actual horror story. Bridget Jones, but with a man. If Bridget were unlikeable and not particularly interesting.
On the plus side, a quick read and the calendar based structure lets you look forward to the upcoming end.
Not, as the title might suggest, an actual horror story. Bridget Jones, but with a man. If Bridget were unlikeable and not particularly interesting.
On the plus side, a quick read and the calendar based structure lets you look forward to the upcoming end.
August 25, 2012
A light lad-lit read, no need for the brain.
August 12, 2017
I imagine the writer must be trapped in a hellish marriage, but just doesn't realise it
William Walker is a whiny, self-pitying, passive-aggressive loser, who believes his wife is too good for him because she's pretty. His wife is a horrible, demanding shrew. Frankly, in many ways they deserve each other, but I kept reading in the hope that they would not, in fact, end up together. Their friends and other supporting characters are thin caricatures of people who would never exist in real life. Everyone is an awful person. Two stars because the writing is decent.
William Walker is a whiny, self-pitying, passive-aggressive loser, who believes his wife is too good for him because she's pretty. His wife is a horrible, demanding shrew. Frankly, in many ways they deserve each other, but I kept reading in the hope that they would not, in fact, end up together. Their friends and other supporting characters are thin caricatures of people who would never exist in real life. Everyone is an awful person. Two stars because the writing is decent.
January 10, 2018
This book annoyed anyone who happened to be sitting near me because of my laughing uncontrollably at every other page.
A fantastic book, great narrative style and very very funny. I look forward to reading other books by this author in future.
I think this one was a freebie when I got it but it's well worth paying money for! Highly Recommended.
A fantastic book, great narrative style and very very funny. I look forward to reading other books by this author in future.
I think this one was a freebie when I got it but it's well worth paying money for! Highly Recommended.
June 13, 2019
Didn't enjoy this. Predictable characters playing to type. More gender stereotyping than I could handle. I persevered with it because it was an easy read but wished I'd given up after the first 50 pages. Would not recommend.
July 2, 2022
Endearing and funny
A very easy read, with plenty of laughs along the way. Although some of the characters were perhaps a little stereotypic in their parts to play, and perhaps a little basic, this added to the easy read nature.
A very easy read, with plenty of laughs along the way. Although some of the characters were perhaps a little stereotypic in their parts to play, and perhaps a little basic, this added to the easy read nature.
April 22, 2019
Quite funny!
July 19, 2019
Just what I needed! It's akin to an Adrian Mole style modern cautionary tale aimed at the modern bloke.
April 24, 2022
DNF - awful sexist humour which is just not funny. Ditched it at the MIL jokes. Please get up to date and burst the obnoxious bubble. Thanks.
September 3, 2024
Quite funny with very truthful situations, of course always seen from the male point of view. Very predictable. It took me a while to read as it didn’t really capture me
February 13, 2011
Initial impressions
What a surprise, a book totally out of my comfort zone, being a genre I usually consider to just be pointless low brow fluff- chick lit/lad lit, I totally enjoyed it!! This was pure excellence! I liked it from the very first page, the journalistic style, the simple but witty writing, the many seriously laugh out loud moments that were created! I did think however as some other reviewers stated that surely the novelty would wear off, the style, the humour or the characters would get boring. It didn't.
Plot + Characterisation
The plot of the book is fairly simply, it is told in a journalistic style in the pov of male William Walker in the brief run up to, and the years aftermath of his wedding to Isabel.
Naturally and somewhat predicatably things don't run smoothly at all during that first year, with them undergoing both ridiculously trivial but understandable problems (having terms dictated to him by the wife, being nagged) to the somewhat more serious.
I liked both William and Isabel although she annoyed me at times coming across with a somewhat "holier than thou" and "I'm never wrong" attitude. I felt most of my sympathy go towards William surprisingly given that I'm a woman and this book is the anti woman to a degree demonstrating the perhaps less attractive traits of us women! The other characters were also well developed, Alex in particular Isabel's psycho best friend and Saskia, Williams former one time lover also with psycotic tendencies...
In essence, a good but simple plot, supported by brilliant, funny, and mostly likeable but sometimes crazy characters!
Writing
Not written in the usual book fashion, just page after page, chapter after chapter, this is told almost as a newspaper article/journal. Kept in the style of a journal by writing about each and every day in the whole of the first year of Isabel and William's marriage. Also newspaper like in the way that various emboldened headings and so on William uses to detail a particular event/situation etc, for example Reasons I am happy .I really liked the writing style although definitely not high brow literature by any means, and mostly simple language.
Overall
Thoroughly enjoyed this and definitely going to be picking up the sequel to this book, Williams progress. I also look forward to seeing what Mr Rudd writes next. One thing I have learnt is to not write off all genres, I now anticipate giving the chick lit genre a bit more of a go. Still drawing the line at paranormal/teenage vampirey things, sorry!
What a surprise, a book totally out of my comfort zone, being a genre I usually consider to just be pointless low brow fluff- chick lit/lad lit, I totally enjoyed it!! This was pure excellence! I liked it from the very first page, the journalistic style, the simple but witty writing, the many seriously laugh out loud moments that were created! I did think however as some other reviewers stated that surely the novelty would wear off, the style, the humour or the characters would get boring. It didn't.
Plot + Characterisation
The plot of the book is fairly simply, it is told in a journalistic style in the pov of male William Walker in the brief run up to, and the years aftermath of his wedding to Isabel.
Naturally and somewhat predicatably things don't run smoothly at all during that first year, with them undergoing both ridiculously trivial but understandable problems (having terms dictated to him by the wife, being nagged) to the somewhat more serious.
I liked both William and Isabel although she annoyed me at times coming across with a somewhat "holier than thou" and "I'm never wrong" attitude. I felt most of my sympathy go towards William surprisingly given that I'm a woman and this book is the anti woman to a degree demonstrating the perhaps less attractive traits of us women! The other characters were also well developed, Alex in particular Isabel's psycho best friend and Saskia, Williams former one time lover also with psycotic tendencies...
In essence, a good but simple plot, supported by brilliant, funny, and mostly likeable but sometimes crazy characters!
Writing
Not written in the usual book fashion, just page after page, chapter after chapter, this is told almost as a newspaper article/journal. Kept in the style of a journal by writing about each and every day in the whole of the first year of Isabel and William's marriage. Also newspaper like in the way that various emboldened headings and so on William uses to detail a particular event/situation etc, for example Reasons I am happy .I really liked the writing style although definitely not high brow literature by any means, and mostly simple language.
Overall
Thoroughly enjoyed this and definitely going to be picking up the sequel to this book, Williams progress. I also look forward to seeing what Mr Rudd writes next. One thing I have learnt is to not write off all genres, I now anticipate giving the chick lit genre a bit more of a go. Still drawing the line at paranormal/teenage vampirey things, sorry!
August 2, 2011
“She sings like someone being stabbed in a shower: all commitment, no tonal control. This is not being she’s singing and fighting back the urge to vomit. This is how she normally sings. It is one of her endearing qualities.”
This is pretty much the story of an angry man not coping with his wife’s male best friend. He does ridiculous things, like throw cold tea over work experience peons, and get trashed and play computer games instead of showing the flat to the estate agent, and is basically the worst stereotype of a useless husband that there is.
We started out with such promise, a new husband being a rather unusual (from my experience) protagonist, but the entire plot was patently ridiculous and the witticisms were the only aspect of this dire work that kept me going to the end.
“I expected some sort of fanfare, going back to work. To be treated differently. I feel different. Very grown-up. Last time I saw everyone, I was Single Man, now I’m Married Man. I speak the language of Married Man. I’m part of the Holy Order of Married Men. I know the Code. I can do mother-in-law jokes”
“This is something that Isabel is good at: twisting an argument so that what a minute ago sounded fair and reasonable coming out of your mouth sounds like something about as acceptable as kitten-stamping.”
“Before Johnson ‘went soft’ and came to work on Life & Times magazine with me, he was a hard-bitten crime reporter… somewhere along the line, he has muddled his time working the sink estates, covering stories of social decay, organised crime and young lives wasted with marriage. He sees them as the same thing.”
The final nail in the coffin of clichés in this book was the atrociously twee ending. I won’t say what it is, but as I got towards it, and release from this prison of a book, it did occur to me that the last chapter might reveal a next step, a future as an ending, and lo and behold, a beautifully neat conclusion just wrapped itself in a bow and jumped into my eyes.
It gets two points and two points only because there are some funny lines.
This is pretty much the story of an angry man not coping with his wife’s male best friend. He does ridiculous things, like throw cold tea over work experience peons, and get trashed and play computer games instead of showing the flat to the estate agent, and is basically the worst stereotype of a useless husband that there is.
We started out with such promise, a new husband being a rather unusual (from my experience) protagonist, but the entire plot was patently ridiculous and the witticisms were the only aspect of this dire work that kept me going to the end.
“I expected some sort of fanfare, going back to work. To be treated differently. I feel different. Very grown-up. Last time I saw everyone, I was Single Man, now I’m Married Man. I speak the language of Married Man. I’m part of the Holy Order of Married Men. I know the Code. I can do mother-in-law jokes”
“This is something that Isabel is good at: twisting an argument so that what a minute ago sounded fair and reasonable coming out of your mouth sounds like something about as acceptable as kitten-stamping.”
“Before Johnson ‘went soft’ and came to work on Life & Times magazine with me, he was a hard-bitten crime reporter… somewhere along the line, he has muddled his time working the sink estates, covering stories of social decay, organised crime and young lives wasted with marriage. He sees them as the same thing.”
The final nail in the coffin of clichés in this book was the atrociously twee ending. I won’t say what it is, but as I got towards it, and release from this prison of a book, it did occur to me that the last chapter might reveal a next step, a future as an ending, and lo and behold, a beautifully neat conclusion just wrapped itself in a bow and jumped into my eyes.
It gets two points and two points only because there are some funny lines.
February 1, 2011
William Walker is a not very goood journo, and lives in Finsbury Park with his (now) wife Isabel – the girl of his dreams. We join him as he wakes up the day after his wedding, counting his blessings.
However, Will’s first year of marriage isn’t quite what he was expecting. This is mainly due to his own ineptness, or the input of his wife’s too-close-for-comfort best friend Alex or the trampy Saskia who wrecked his last relationship.
This is another book that I picked up free for Kindle on Amazon, and it really does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s ‘dick-lit’ as I call it – the same as ‘chick-lit’ but written by a bloke!
VERY easy to read as it is written rather Bridget Jones style in the form of a diary, it wasn’t the deepest, cleverest book I’ve read, but there were some genuinely laugh out loud moments. and there were a few bits that I read out to my other half so that he could join in my laughter.
I particularly enjoyed his step-by-step guide to descent back to bachelorhood when Isabel went away for the weekend, his baiting of the anger management lady and the mad next door neighbour.
Very enjoyable.
However, Will’s first year of marriage isn’t quite what he was expecting. This is mainly due to his own ineptness, or the input of his wife’s too-close-for-comfort best friend Alex or the trampy Saskia who wrecked his last relationship.
This is another book that I picked up free for Kindle on Amazon, and it really does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s ‘dick-lit’ as I call it – the same as ‘chick-lit’ but written by a bloke!
VERY easy to read as it is written rather Bridget Jones style in the form of a diary, it wasn’t the deepest, cleverest book I’ve read, but there were some genuinely laugh out loud moments. and there were a few bits that I read out to my other half so that he could join in my laughter.
I particularly enjoyed his step-by-step guide to descent back to bachelorhood when Isabel went away for the weekend, his baiting of the anger management lady and the mad next door neighbour.
Very enjoyable.
January 29, 2011
This book could well be the next big thing! Not my usual sort is reading material. It's really really not bad all and it fills the Bridget Jones formula but with a pleasant male spin. The author has the sort of conversation in your head voice that you find yourself nodding and laughing about as you identify with the thought process. The main character is a well intentioned guy who always gets it wrong no matter how hard he tries...a very popular theme that UK audiences enjoy. It did get to the point where the guy was getting so whiny and behaving so badly that I started to dislike him, but it does turn itself around eventually. Lots of potential for a movie here someday. I really am so pleased that it impressed me. Yay for random cheapo Kindle books!
August 2, 2021
An Underrated Comic Gem
💛Poor William! His first year as a husband is full of absurdities, difficulties and completed by a nutty stalker.
💜 Consistently witty, dry and relatable, this is my go-to read that always brings a smile to my face.
Soundbite
🎧 Simon Shepherd reads this with exactly the right tone and excellent comic timing.
Shall I Compare Thee To...
This is best compared to TV rather than books. Think Coupling or Peep Show as frames of reference.
Other thoughts
There's a sequel and I love it just as much.
Find more bird’s eye audiobooks reviews at Audiobooks Nest.
January 21, 2011
This is not a book I'd normally by, but when it was offered for £0.00 for my new eReader I just thought I'd give it a go. I'm glad I did. Four weddings meets Adrian Mole meets stalker horror in an easy to read tale. As the other reviewers say there is nothing really new, but it is a fun lightweight read.
Would I have read it if it wasn't free? Probably not. But two days off work sick plus a day looking after sick daughter it was a great way of escaping!
I now may have to buy my wife a kindle so she can read it - I think she got fed up of the laughs and "can I just read you this bit?"
Would I have read it if it wasn't free? Probably not. But two days off work sick plus a day looking after sick daughter it was a great way of escaping!
I now may have to buy my wife a kindle so she can read it - I think she got fed up of the laughs and "can I just read you this bit?"
February 6, 2011
Well, it certainly wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it wasn't great either. It passed some time while I was in hospital and it was free on iBooks so that's 2 things going for it. It was pretty easy to read but predictable in parts. The ending was obvious on all levels and the last paragraph was particularly nauseating (seriously, I don't think anything was added by the 'darling we're having a baby' revelation at the end)
The characters weren't awful and there were some genuinely funny parts but I suppose I'd just had my fill of this type of book long ago.
The characters weren't awful and there were some genuinely funny parts but I suppose I'd just had my fill of this type of book long ago.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2012
Slightly ironic that my fiancé should recommend this book to me after only four months of blissful engagement, but I could surely relate to the characters in this story. I have a few real-life characters in mind who would fit the bill as the newly-weds, William and Isabel, and their ex-partner and friend, Saskia and Alex.
Matt Rudd writes for the Sunday Times and has a good eye for the little things that can make you give a naughty giggle and bite your lower lip. This combined with his witty style makes for a bloody fun read!
Matt Rudd writes for the Sunday Times and has a good eye for the little things that can make you give a naughty giggle and bite your lower lip. This combined with his witty style makes for a bloody fun read!
March 2, 2012
Can only echo what many others have said really. I didn't actually realise it was a novel until the OTT ending. I took it from the diary-style of writing I was reading an actual account. I think a straight-forward "caught-in-the-act" would have sufficed and found the surveillance equipment idea didn't fit in with this type of story at all. It would have been 3-stars but for this.
I will say there are a few LOL moments and I could relate to many of the situations and characters. The wife not seeing the problem of male friends is true of many people I know.
I will say there are a few LOL moments and I could relate to many of the situations and characters. The wife not seeing the problem of male friends is true of many people I know.
March 11, 2012
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. It is not ever going to challenge you but sometimes you just want a book which you can read without thinking and this suits that purpose.
Some of the situations that William Walker finds himself in are unbelievable but there is just enough of most peoples neuroses to make him likeable.
I have always liked books written in a diary style ever since I read Adrian Mole 20+ years ago and so enojoyed the style of this book.
Looking forward to reading the next William Walker book.
Some of the situations that William Walker finds himself in are unbelievable but there is just enough of most peoples neuroses to make him likeable.
I have always liked books written in a diary style ever since I read Adrian Mole 20+ years ago and so enojoyed the style of this book.
Looking forward to reading the next William Walker book.
November 1, 2012
Another cheap Kindle acquisition; again, read on a miserable afternoon while I was ill. I can�t quite set it into a particular genre, as it bridges the gap between chick-lit and humour � it starts out as very much the latter, but the ending segues into a slightly cheesy chick-lit. I�m not sure that I would have finished it if I hadn�t been ill, because the characters are a bit on the annoying side. A couple of weeks on, I�m struggling to remember much of it at all � I think there were a few giggles along the way, but nothing amazing to recommend this one, really.
January 24, 2011
I actually only got this as the Kindle version is currently free on Amazon, but I rather enjoyed it. It's certainly not high brow literature, however 'boy lit' rather than 'chic lit' was a refreshing change. I found myself identifying with William more than Isabel which reminds me again that I have masculine views when it comes to matters of the heart! I read this easily over the course of a weekend, so if light hearted rom-com fun is what you're after then this should hit the spot.
February 6, 2011
hillarious...did make me laugh out loud so many times...wondering if men do think this way! its a bloke's version of the diary of bridget jones. funny, senseless comedy at times, but it seems that the tale does have a twist to it. didnt really expect that end to it...
light easy read...couldnt put it down once i had started it. a good read when you need some thing amusing and entertaining between the serious reads.
light easy read...couldnt put it down once i had started it. a good read when you need some thing amusing and entertaining between the serious reads.
February 3, 2011
Told in Diary form, took me a about 15 pages to get into it. I like some of the authors mock-documentaries but reading his humour is differnt than viewing it. Towards the end specifically Feb 3rd, the main character skirted the edge of sanity and narcism but I kept reading as I was in the middle of my morning commute and wasn't about to pick up one of the free metro papers. It was an overall enjoyable read, but prob best if you pick this one up on discount or from Oxfam books.
July 18, 2011
A very amusing "chick-flick for boys" which could be an interesting new genre!! I enjoyed this, its a light, easy read, and had me chuckling on the trains quite a bit, during my boring journeys to and from work. This well written, with some acute observation of social behaviour, some heavy irony and a good dose of exageration, all generally blended well to create a fun story. I could see this being made into a "Notting Hill" style comedy, well, we will see...
March 7, 2012
Wasn't sure about this book when i started it, definitely not my usual cup of tea, as it turned out I loved it. it was funny and lighthearted, exactly what i needed. I became attached to the characters to poor Williams plight. he's irrational, quick to anger and blames other people a lot - I loved him, so different from the perfectly, perfect characters I've been reading lately.
a must for anyone who wants a nice, quick read that'll make them laugh. definitely buying the sequel :)
a must for anyone who wants a nice, quick read that'll make them laugh. definitely buying the sequel :)
December 26, 2015
Some language and content jars.
Generally a disaster-prone marriage fraught with problems is being portrayed through the husband's diary.
I read this to try and understand how people think. It's a secular view of relationships but I think that's been useful - having been read to provoke thought, rather than for entertainment.
The phrase 'mental adultery' is used - I've never before seen reference (in secular stuff I mean) that adultery is adultery even when just in the mind.
Generally a disaster-prone marriage fraught with problems is being portrayed through the husband's diary.
I read this to try and understand how people think. It's a secular view of relationships but I think that's been useful - having been read to provoke thought, rather than for entertainment.
The phrase 'mental adultery' is used - I've never before seen reference (in secular stuff I mean) that adultery is adultery even when just in the mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews