Seeds of Greatness

by Jon Canter

In the hilarious story of a man writing the biography of his deceased friend, David asks himself why he failed in life and why his friend succeeded. David thinks that by writing about Jack, he’ll get him out of his system, but in fact, he’ll never be free of Jack.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

Reviews

[Judi Mckay]

Reading group choice. Gentle and assuming read. I liked it.


301

[Michelle]

Seeds of greatness, seeds of despair
What fruit is there?

While I didn't find 'Seeds of Greatness' quite as hilarious as the taglines implied on the cover, I did find it to be a very compelling story about a co-dependent friendship between a man 'too intelligent to succeed' and his gregarious friend that was too egocentric and magnetic not to.

[Kit]

There are several, quite funny moments in the book. But, it's a book about a book - so, if you want to write a book and can't come up with anything else, make it autobiographical and about writing? Not only is the main character deeply unattractive but nearly every other character that appears is also deeply flawed. With some books you could argue that this was about rebelling against structured norms or the human condition. 'Seeds' probably says about the ugly flaws in the author himself and the repellent people he mixes with. In the end, I couldn't finish this book quickly enough. For pity's sake Canter, do the world a favour and never put pen to paper again.

[Lynne]

Marvellous. Wonderful read, Jon canter is an accomplished and witty writer. A delight

[F B]

really funny! almost a classic in my opinion - defo underrated :)

[Susan]

Well written and engaging but didn't like any of the main characters enough to care what happened to them.

[Jayne Charles]

This is exactly the sort of book I love to read - full of self-deprecating humour, and featuring the sort of socially awkward protagonist I can identify with. It contrasts the lives of the narrator David who has done all the supposedly right things but has somehow ended up amounting to not very much, and his much more successful go-getter friend Jack, who ends up being a famous TV star. Hardly a page went by without a belly laugh: such clever writing. I loved it.

[Edmark]

I really wanted David to have a better ending.The ending sucks and i really hate it.But i still love the whole novel though.It's just i cant take the ending.I mean that's his bestfriend and gilfriend's son.Wth david ..sriously!!

[Lea]

extremely funny, very Woodyesk

[Ailsa]

pretty enjoyable airport purchase, black humour,an easy read that was very funny whilst poignant.