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Eleven

Mark Watson

3.63 · Rating details · 3,746 ratings · 347 reviews

Xavier Ireland is a radio DJ who by night listens to the hopes, fears and regrets of sleepless Londoners and by day keeps himself very much to himself - until he is brought into the light by a one-of-a-kind cleaning lady and forced to confront his own biggest regret.

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Paperback, 388 pages

Published August 1st 2010 by Simon & Schuster (first published 2010)

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May 08, 2015 Andrea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge

What a lucky find. I have been to see Mark Watson's stand-up performance before, and really enjoy his sense of humour, but I had no idea he could write as well! And while his stand-up can be quite frenetic at times, his writing (in this case, at least) is very measured and restrained. The comparisons to David Nicholls are spot-on in my opinion - love them both.

Watson's humour and his fondness of Australia shine through, but this is not a comedy. It's almost a parable - a story about action and ...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Sarah rated it really liked it

Quite simply, I liked this from the off, and read it in three sittings. It's not High Art, it's chick lit really, only male authors never get patronised with the term, but it sits very comfortably alongside Lisa Jewell (even the cover is similar to hers of a few years back) and, I gather, One Day, which I confess I've never read. Mark Watson is a gifted writer; he has a light touch (again, I mean this as a compliment, whoever sets out to write a 'heavy' book?) and you'd not know from his tone of ...more

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Apr 19, 2017 Eddie Owens rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 16, 2010 David Hebblethwaite rated it really liked it

Here’s a chain of consequences: early last year, I was at a work conference where, one evening, a group of us went to see Mark Watson in stand-up. His name was half-familiar, though I couldn’t quite place it; but I love good comedy, so I decided to take a chance and go along anyway – and I’m glad I did, because Watson was hilarious.

A few months later, I was in an unfamiliar part of town, and popped into the local library, where I saw a novel by an author named Mark Watson. A quick glance at the Here’s a chain of consequences: early last year, I was at a work conference where, one evening, a group of us went to see Mark Watson in stand-up. His name was half-familiar, though I couldn’t quite place it; but I love good comedy, so I decided to take a chance and go along anyway – and I’m glad I did, because Watson was hilarious.

A few months later, I was in an unfamiliar part of town, and popped into the local library, where I saw a novel by an author named Mark Watson. A quick glance at the biography established that this was the same Mark Watson; apparently he’d written a couple of novels several years previously. If his fiction was anything like as good as his stand-up, I thought, then I wanted to read it – so I borrowed the book and, sure enough, it was very good.

All this meant that, when I heard earlier this year that Watson was going to publish a new novel, his first in six years, I was very interested in reading it. And the reason I’ve introduced this review as I have is that Eleven is all about chains of consequence. The central chain of events begins when Xavier Ireland, the host of a late-night radio phone-in show, witnesses a group of youths beating up another boy and tries to intervene, but fails to stop them. The novel continues to follow Xavier’s life whilst, alongside that, Watson traces the seemingly random consequences of that one incident – the bullying angers the victim’s mother, who then writes a harsher review of a restaurant than she might have otherwise; incensed by the review, the restaurant’s owner ends up firing one of his staff, and so on. We also discover what it was that led Chris Cotswold to leave Australia, change his name to Xavier Ireland, and take such an unsociable job – and why everything comes back to the number eleven.

The fabric of Eleven is shaped by the theme of chance moments and their ramifications. It’s there in Xavier’s life, as the nature of his job means that most of his connections with other people are transitory – the callers to his show enter his life briefly, then dart back out again; and the odd hours Xavier keeps mean that his producer/co-presenter Murray is probably the person he sees most regularly. The theme is there, of course, in the main consequence-chain; but it’s also there in Watson’s many asides, which reveal connections between minor characters, or glimpses into their futures. These asides act as a reminder that, beyond the protagonist’s life (and, in reality, our own), there are countless webs of other stories which remain unknown to us.

Watson also captures the raggedy nature of life in his plot progression, as events don’t necessarily tie up neatly; what seems as though it’s going to become the novel’s key relationship actually fizzles out early on; and an apparently throwaway gag – one woman Xavier meets at a speed-dating event introduces herself as a cleaner, and before their three minutes are up, he’s made an appointment with her for that weekend – grows into one of the main plot strands.

The character development in Eleven is also smartly done. As I said earlier, Xavier’s relationships with other people tend to be fleeting; when someone does start to become more of a permanent fixture in his life, Xavier doesn’t know how to handle it – but he learns to so in a halting fashion which is very believable. More generally, Eleven could be seen as the story of how Xavier slowly breaks out of the old pattern of his life – but then comes the ending…

I really like the ending of Eleven. It reminds me of Tom McCarthy’s Remainder, insofar as both books have endings which are no way to end a novel, and yet are completely right for the story they tell. But you’ll have to read this novel to find out what I mean. And perhaps, as a consequence, you’ll have found a new book to enjoy. ...more

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Feb 04, 2019 Karen ⊰✿ rated it really liked it

Shelves: tbr_closet_2019

Xavier Ireland moved from Australia to London five years ago and is a late night talk-show host. He has become a quasi-therapist to his listeners, but in his usual life he is a loner who tries not to get involved in other people's lives.
As the story unfolds, we discover what happened to Xavier which caused this change in him (including changing his name from Chris), and he also discovers a way to try and get back to his old self.
Although this is the main story, there is also another large thread ...more

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Jul 07, 2016 Nick Davies rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016, favourites

This was a really pleasant surprise. It'd be a disservice to dismiss this contemporary novel by comedian and author Mark Watson as just 'bloke lit', but it would also be inaccurate to over-analyse this and describe it in terms of the existentialist and philosophical points it makes. It was just a very readable, very enjoyable, thought-provoking little novel.

The central story concerns a late-night radio DJ, his friendship with his co-presenter/producer, and the other relationships he has/had. ...more

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Oct 02, 2015 Katy Noyes rated it really liked it

4.5 stars

After reading Hotel Alpha, I was keen to try more by Watson, I really liked his ideas and style of writing, using multiple narrators but showing a great grasp of juggling several lives and storylines and intertwining them.

This is more keenly observed here, with the actions of one person affecting the next, then the next and so on, with a chain of eleven people and their lives becoming entwined in small ways.

It all begins with a radio DJ, Australian Xavier Ireland (a name he's taken 4.5 stars

After reading Hotel Alpha, I was keen to try more by Watson, I really liked his ideas and style of writing, using multiple narrators but showing a great grasp of juggling several lives and storylines and intertwining them.

This is more keenly observed here, with the actions of one person affecting the next, then the next and so on, with a chain of eleven people and their lives becoming entwined in small ways.

It all begins with a radio DJ, Australian Xavier Ireland (a name he's taken on), who listens to the ramblings, musings and insomniac dreams of London by night, and returns home to his dirty and lonely flat each day. One day, he makes a choice - to help or not to help, which starts off a chain of incidents that we watch moving through our characters in unexpected ways. Pushed out of his Scrabble-championship comfort zone to a speed-dating event, he is eventually forced to face up to the past he's left behind in Australia, and to the effect we can each have on the lives of others.

I loved the style of this, though listening on audiobook made it more tricky to remember who everyone was. The connection from person to person was well thought-through, and I loved the variety of characters and how we were allowed to see into the future for many of them through the author's voice stepping in. Xavier is our main character, and I found him very sympathetic. More so when the truth about his past comes out. I was driving at the time and had my hands over my mouth listening in shock. It all made sense.

There are some wonderful characters here, which were brought out by the fantastic CD narrator. Xavier's colleague at the radio station with a stutter, Xavier's neighbours in his building, the cleaner he hires. Watson's take on the London life of the typical person hits home, they do feel like real people.

Watching the dominoes fall, seeing one person's decisions affect another's - it did remind me that, yes, in life, this is exactly what happens, my choices affects more than just me. It has a good point to make.

The Scrabble scenes are really funny, and also quite informative, and I just adored Xavier's amazing cleaner!

The ending (no spoilers, don't worry), I could see the reasons why Watson wrote it that way, and it did fit. But I couldn't help wishing it was the ending I had in my head...

I'd recommend this highly, it reminded me of Tales of the City, and being closer to home in England, was all the more poignant. I've decided I'm definitely a fan of Mark Watson's writing.

This would make a good reading group choice as well as one for fans of multiple storylines that fit together, and everyday stories about human lives, loves and connections. ...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Rob rated it liked it

This was a classic holiday read: plucked from the bookshelf of a villa on the basis that I like the author (as a stand-up) and it was compared to One Day (which I loved) on the cover. Easy to read and entirely undemanding, it was perfect for slotting in between stopping the kids falling into the pool and slapping on sun-cream.

There's a nice concept driving the book which is, I suppose, where the One Day reference comes in: an observation of the butterfly effect at work. One action (or indeed, ...more

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Jul 06, 2016 Chelsebelle rated it it was amazing

I devoured this book in under two days. I found it delightful, engrossing, and a great book with which to begin my summer reading. Goodreads had recommended this book because I am such a huge fan of One Day by David Nicholls (please read if you haven't).

I found that I was not disappointed. Mark Watson created a concise narrative while interweaving at large overall theme of connectivity. His ability to jump between two parallel stories without losing the reader was impressive, and more so to ...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Tracy-Lee rated it liked it

What a laborious read. This book frustrated me so much yet I reflect on it with a sense of fondness. Xavier is a likeable protagonist with qualities and issues we can all relate to. Some beautifully constructed sentences and quirky characters leave me wondering how I truly felt about this story.

I began the book with high expectations, waiting for excitement and brilliance, what I encountered was a book dealing with the everyday, but with an exciting addition of a domino effect of consequences.

My ...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Sean Randall rated it it was amazing

I'd never heard of Mark Watson in any context other than stand-up comedy before, even less had I actually ever scene him perform. This book cost me 0.99 and is now back up to a fiver on Kindle. The synopsis sounded interesting, no more than that, so it really was a bit of a whim purchase.

Seeing an endorsement for the man by Stephen Fry as soon as you open the book certainly impacts, but the writing is powerful enough to drag you in all by itself. From that opening, that cold, still, snowy I'd never heard of Mark Watson in any context other than stand-up comedy before, even less had I actually ever scene him perform. This book cost me £0.99 and is now back up to a fiver on Kindle. The synopsis sounded interesting, no more than that, so it really was a bit of a whim purchase.

Seeing an endorsement for the man by Stephen Fry as soon as you open the book certainly impacts, but the writing is powerful enough to drag you in all by itself. From that opening, that cold, still, snowy Febuary London night, you're drawn? Pulled? Positively set to spiraling through these people's lives and I'm surely not the only person to begrudge intrusions from the outside world preventing me from wanting to read more.

I can't claim it was a particularly thrilling story. There wasn't much action or intrigue, little mystery or mayhem. And yet... there was empathy. I cared, somehow - cared for Xavier, so obviously sufferring, so clearly torn asunder from a life he had to leave behind, so evidently intelligent and so securely secluded. A man full of history, with a story to tell which is extraordinarily sad and deeply moving - I was almost crying in chapter seven, really. Me! Crying!

Then, of course, there's this - I haven't got the word for it. This chain of humanity, the way in which one action (or, in this case, one inaction) sends out ripples like a stone thrown into water. TO see these ripples as consequences that actually have a real, deterministic impact on people is... deep. You sort of pull back at the end of chapter three and get beaten about the head with the results of this one, tiny, seemingly inconsequential event which nonetheless has a massive impact on a whole group of people, and that is frightning, and things just keep on going, moving along, on paths that may not have even existed if one little thing had gone differently.

I'm sort of lost, not for words, but for ways of putting them together properly. I can say the writing was good, the characters were very well painted, the scenery was contemporary and the atmosphere believable. All that is true - in fact, Watson is only seven years older than me, yet his worldview, his ability to see things and perceive seems somehow ineffably deeper and more cohesive than anything my brain could possibly aspire to. It is this, this sense or quality of the writing that gives this story such an impact. I - and this is odd, because I'm an actiony, fantasy, science fiction sort of bloke - but I couldn't put it down. I was hooked and fascinated, curious and spellbound all at the same time. I don't think I can share why. You'll either feel it or you won't, I suspect, but I certainly did and can really say little more than that. ...more

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Dec 22, 2014 Aline rated it it was amazing

'Eleven' is the best book I've read in a while, I bloody loved it! You can feel while reading that Mark Watson is a comedian, but it's not all 'HAHA THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE SO FUNNY'. It's subtly funny, but also sad, it's light yet you really feel for all the characters involved and everything just clicks.

It makes you wonder how the choices we make in life affect other people we may or may not know, without trying to point a finger at anyone, it doesn't try to hard. Linking eleven lives back to ...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Kate rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-book-groups

Eleven is a very quick read that offers up themes of moving forward after a loss and the interconnections among people, akin to the butterfly effect of a small distant change causing large changes at a later point in time. These effects are like a web of connections that we are either trapped in or spinning as we go depending on your perspective. The characters are realistic and the humor of London lives bubbles gently throughout, even as the protagonist wrestles with his own loss and ...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: general-fiction, favorites

I love Mark Watson's comedy and thought that this novel would be Laugh Out Loud funny like Watson's stand up routines, however 'Eleven'differed completely from my expectations. I really loved Xavier as a main character and the whole narrative and perspective. The subplots were as interesting and appealing as the main plot and the interweaving of characters was well thought-out. The only negative really was that I found the connections to be a bit too clunky, I would have liked more of subtlety, ...more

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Jun 30, 2016 Maike rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: my-books

This isn't going to be a normal review more of a 'what did I think about the book in 5 sentences '
-
All in all the book was okay . I needed nearly the 100 pages to really get into the story and still then I was slightly confused because of the 11 people you get to know in the book. Their perspectives aren't separated in chapter or anything so you get confused easily. The middle part was quit well but the last two or three chapter were somehow boring because they stretched so much .

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Mar 18, 2019 Lucieishima rated it liked it · review of another edition

A little bit dissapointed!
I came to find this book because I love One Day by David Nicholls and I was hoping to read something similar.....not quite, really:((((

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Apr 14, 2011 Savanna rated it liked it

Shelves: modern-literature

Eleven by Mark Watson
Recommended for people who like: Love Actually, Crash, Sleepless in Seattle
“Genre” Tags: Everyone is Connected, People Trying to Find Happiness

The Official Summary: ONE MOMENT... ELEVEN LIVES... ENDLESS CONSEQUENCES (Yup. That’s it. It’s ok, I’ll fill it in for you)

Review:
I worry I might be missing something. Several reviews for this book that I have read on GoodReads talk about how hilarious and smartly done it is. I will agree that the writing is well done, but I Eleven by Mark Watson
Recommended for people who like: Love Actually, Crash, Sleepless in Seattle
“Genre” Tags: Everyone is Connected, People Trying to Find Happiness

The Official Summary: ONE MOMENT... ELEVEN LIVES... ENDLESS CONSEQUENCES (Yup. That’s it. It’s ok, I’ll fill it in for you)

Review:
I worry I might be missing something. Several reviews for this book that I have read on GoodReads talk about how hilarious and smartly done it is. I will agree that the writing is well done, but I thought it fell in and out of cliches and I didn’t ever find myself chuckling at Watson’s humor. I want to say that maybe there’s some sort of cultural disconnect, but I think I usually get British humor pretty well… so I’m stumped as to where these other reviewers are finding this humor.
So first, since the official flap jacket summary is so vague, let me fill you in about the plot of this book. Our hero is a London DJ for a late night radio show, very much in the style of Sleepless in Seattle. He now goes by the name of Xavier Ireland, but he used to live in Australia, where he was known as Chris. The main draw of the first half of the book is finding out why he left Australia and why he’s living the fairly humdrum life he is. As we discover more about Xavier, we also see snippets of other characters as they go about their lives. It’s a little distracting, especially since there are a LOT of side characters, many of whom only show up briefly. The second half of the story is essentially about how all of these characters’ lives intersect.
I enjoyed the writing style. As I was reading, I kept hearing the narrator’s voice from 500 Days of Summer. The prose is that authoritative and reads a bit like if you were to imagine someone reciting the stage directions and motivations of your life. It kept a strong tone all the way through, and it fit the overall, fatalistic tone of the book really well. But a far as the overall plot went… I thought the development of the linkage was a bit cliched. Maybe I’m just a bit over it since I have already kind of seen that before with Crash and Love Actually.
That being said, finding out Chris/Xavier’s story was really fascinating. As I was reading that part I was waiting for takeout in a public place, and Iw as so enthralled I almost didn’t hear them call my order! That hole sequence added such depth to the story at exactly the right time. That’s essentially when the book switches from seemingly random snippets to the beginnings of a web.

Rating: 3 stars— I think part of my disappointment with this book is 1) the fact that I think was mis-marketed as a funny, Christopher Moore type book, and what I got was something very similar to Love Actually (in fact, the author’s note at the end even mentioned that Watson was inspired by the style of Love Actually) and 2) The side characters were difficult to keep up with at times during the beginning.
Other Tangential Thoughts:
I received this book for review from Simon and Schuster’s GalleyGrab Program. Thank you so much S&S!
...more

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Mar 24, 2014 Jonesy_laaa rated it liked it

Before I start this review, I would give it 3.5 stars but I decided on 3 for this.

I've read a lot of the 'lad lit' genre and I am a big fan. There's not many authors of the genre that allow the audience to have a main protagonist and also other main characters sharing the same perspective in the novel.

This book does take a while to get used to the narrative style and diction but once you get past that, it's a enjoyable read. The time does fly by and you realise that you've read more than what Before I start this review, I would give it 3.5 stars but I decided on 3 for this.

I've read a lot of the 'lad lit' genre and I am a big fan. There's not many authors of the genre that allow the audience to have a main protagonist and also other main characters sharing the same perspective in the novel.

This book does take a while to get used to the narrative style and diction but once you get past that, it's a enjoyable read. The time does fly by and you realise that you've read more than what you thought!

The protagonist character which is Xaiver is someone you can truly relate to and also trust his judgement too. He goes on a journey through this book that I'm used most men can relate to and also readers of the 'lad lit' genre.

Along the way, we meet 11 people that are on the same journey as Xaiver and are inter connected with him without them realising the effect he has had on them.

One character that will truly stick with me is Frankie who god love him as gone through something so universal and you break your heart as he spills his guts out throughout the book.

Frankie's journey is beautifully written and so heartfelt and Watson should be proud of this character.

Chapter 7 in particular is absolutely beautiful and it will make you cry! It really will and I think that has to be the strongest chapter in the novel and Watson should be proud of that chapter.

Overall, I would say it's an enjoyable read. I will admit that at several times throughout the book that Watson could have developed some characters differently and given them more scope to develop.

But despite that, he engages his audience well and keeps them glued to the pages. I have to say that it's comparison to 'One Day' by David Nichols is a bit ambitious and I feel it's a marketing tool to sell the book.

As Eleven just like One Day has it's own individual character that will attract the audience that Nichols did but will attract it's own audience too.

But the main purpose of this book is that makes you think about how a little action from you can make or break how someone can feel about themselves either if they are in your life directly or they aren't. And that for that, Watson certainly has achieved that in his novel. ...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Tony rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

We're all familiar with films such as Short Cuts, Love Actually, or Amorres Perros, or the dreadful Crash, that express a theme using various characters who happen to cross paths and trigger events in the other characters' lives. It's the narrative form of the butterfly effect -- the idea that a small, apparently inconsequential action (or inaction) by one person can trigger a cascade of effects in the lives of countless number of people whom that first person has never met. One of the We're all familiar with films such as Short Cuts, Love Actually, or Amorres Perros, or the dreadful Crash, that express a theme using various characters who happen to cross paths and trigger events in the other characters' lives. It's the narrative form of the butterfly effect -- the idea that a small, apparently inconsequential action (or inaction) by one person can trigger a cascade of effects in the lives of countless number of people whom that first person has never met. One of the weaknesses of these kinds of stories is that there's often no protagonist to hold one's interest, instead we are taken along for a ride with a large cast of equally important characters. However, this book uses that device while tying it to a protagonist, as the ripple effects of his failure to intervene in a bullying episode form light subplots to his own story.

Written by a well-known English stand-up comic, the story takes place in London and revolves around late-night radio host Xavier Ireland. He's an Australian who's moved to England to escape some unspecified disaster back home (one that is eventually revealed, and about as awful a disaster as one can imagine happening to someone you know). He's just drifting through life, working as a graveyard shift DJ who dispenses mild doses of agony aunt-type advice to callers in between songs. He sleeps away the days, has no friends aside from his awkward co-host Murray, and is haunted by the memories of the love and friends he used to have in Australia.

The story, then, is basically whether he will be able to get himself out of this rut and reboot his life. That would have gotten very monotonous by itself, but the story cuts away throughout to scenes detailing how his inaction had a ripple effect on so many other lives across London. It all bubbles along at a good clip, and while the subject matter is not overtly amusing, Watson's writing is somehow wry and entertaining without being jokey. Somewhat reminiscent of Nick Hornby I suppose, or maybe David Nichols. To be sure, the running theme, that we're all connected, is a little trite -- but it's a decent pop fiction take on it, and the ending hits is just right. Seems destined to become a movie. ...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Jayne Charles rated it really liked it

I’m always a bit prejudiced when it comes to authors who are already famous for doing other things – thinking maybe their writing doesn’t have to be as good as an unknown person’s would have to be to secure a publishing deal. These fears proved to be out of place here, though, as the writing was superb. And despite being written by a comedian, humour is not its main concern. It has drama, romance, real life, and a fair bit of tragedy. There are funny bits – the image of the person’s gut “ ...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Alison rated it it was amazing

Shelves: highly-recommended, read-in-2011

Picked almost at random as something that looked good to read on holiday. Wow. This is one of the best books I've read this year. Xavier Ireland is a late night radio DJ, working with his friend Murray to help listeners with their problems. Xavier has a secret though, and it's the reason he is in London instead of his home country, Australia. When Xavier fails to help a teenage boy from being bullied it sets in motion a chain of events that affect the lives of eleven strangers.

The "butterfly ...more

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Dec 27, 2014 Ellen May rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed the omniscient narrative of this story- the third person narrator knew every detail of the characters and would throw in unexpected details- such as the date they would die or what they were doing a week from the present moment.

The story was cleverly constructed, using a 6 degrees of separation idea, and Watson employed really imaginative ties to bring the characters together (bank notes was a favourite). The story didn't make me laugh out loud but I did giggle in places, I ...more

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Jan 24, 2012 H R Koelling rated it really liked it

This was a sweet book with a great tone. I could really relate to the protagonist, who was a deeply caring person who often tried too much until a great calamity befell him, which suppressed his benevolent character.

And, although the concept of tying people's lives together through seemingly inconsequential events is not new, I liked how the author presented the domino effect of missed opportunities that, in the end, make for a spectacular and unforeseen climax to the novel. How often, in ...more

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Feb 13, 2011 Jackie rated it really liked it

Shelves: work-review-related-reading

This book really makes you think about the people who pass through your life every day, some noticed, many not. And how one single choice on our part can end up having repercussions in untold numbers of other lives. In this book, eleven people are effected by the ripple effect of a simple choice, one that perhaps each of us has made at some point or another in our lives. This book follows the course of those ripples in a sometimes confusing but always entertaining and engaging way. It's clever, ...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Cara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fun-or-frivolity

This book is about a bunch of different people, many of whom don't even know each other, and how their lives are interconnected. One action sets off a chain of events with major impacts in each of their lives.

I like the premise, and it's a really interesting story. I think what I enjoyed most of all is the way everything was explicitly spelled out. You encounter a character, and instead of wondering what ever happens to him or her after the book is over, you're told in no uncertain terms. I ...more

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Jun 06, 2011 Clarissa rated it liked it

Watson mixes humor amidst some pretty wrenching scenarios. There was one point in this book where I physically could not continue reading because of what was happening. However, there is redemption in the harsh circumstances. I only gave it three stars because although the narrative surrounds protagonist Xavier Ireland, there are ten other minor characters who are easily confused. Also the book is written in past, present, and future tense and making the adjustment can be a little jarring. I was ...more

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Jan 17, 2016 Aine rated it really liked it

Shelves: 0wn-print-read, contempor-fiction, love, multi-perspective, humour, clever, quirky, england, 0wn-e-unread

London, one of the world's busiest cities. Londoners, making their way in the bustle of all that industry.

Eleven is a story of reactions, how the action & inaction of individuals impact on their neighbours, colleagues, loved-ones, strangers... Centring on Xavier Ireland, a late-night DJ, it deals with the moments in our lives when we impact on others and, unintentionally, redirect their lives.

Eleven is accessible, clever, thoughtful & underwhelming, a lot like the protagonist. But it is ...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Louise rated it liked it

Yes, this was a good one.....didn't love it, but liked it lots.
The main character was a likeable believable guy, and that always helps a story, but what really made it good, was the way the whole thing came together,a knock on effect of one action and how it spread out from one person to the next, causing big waves and minor ripples.
The last few pages have a nice unexpected ending, which is all too rare three days.....especially in a book like this, where the future of a lot of the minor ...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Monica Co rated it it was amazing

I read somewhere on Goodreads that this book is an hidden gem. This is true. I picked it up by chance at my local library, and I found myself totally absorbed by the crossing stories of a group of londoners of our time.
The inability to communicate and lack of empaty, typical of the contemporary lifestyle, are at the centre of this novel, but are depicted through a series of funny and light situations. You will laugh and cry at the same time, but will never get bored.
I recommend it very much!

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Jan 20, 2015 Kim rated it it was ok

This may probably one of the worst book ending ever. I know, Mark Watson was playing safe when he ended it that way but WHAT THE ACTUAL FRICK? by ending the book that way, he actually never ended the book. every story, sub-story, plot twist are left hanging in the air. He actually violated the contract about the author and the reader (accdg to John Green) the author tells the story, the reader reads it, nothing more. but to end the story like that. this violates it.

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About Mark Watson

Mark Watson

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Mark Andrew Watson (born 13 February 1980) is an English stand-up comedian and novelist.

Watson was born in Bristol to Welsh parents. He has younger twin sisters called Emma and Lucy and brother Paul. He attended Henleaze Junior school and then Bristol Grammar School, where he won the prize of 'Gabbler of the year', before going to Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied English, graduating ...more