Speak After the Beep: How to Win at Relationships with Chairs, Tables, Mobile Phones, Cash Machines, Fax Machines, Software and Pre-programmed Human Beings

by Frayn M

This is a collection of writings by Michael Frayn, based on his column in The Guardian, covering the pomposities and inanities of public announcements, fashionable conversations, and self-advertising of all kinds.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 1995

Reviews

[DMC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book because I like silly pedantic British humor, and I wanted something short while waiting for some books on hold. Like most compilations of skits, this has some hits and misses. Parts of the book delivered- I like all of the segments that took place on airplanes. Others were really not good at all - the one about spitting was gross. And many others just landed somewhere between pointless and kind of boring.

[Cortney Mere · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories like these always feel irrelevant to me. Sure they are funny, but I have mankind’s entire history of literature to read. I’m very busy. But, perhaps the part about the two characters who realize their conversations are being narrated would be useful to examine for dialogue writing.

[Anita Byler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some truly hilarious little bits, some less captivating. Audiobook read by Jarvis was fantastic and quite appropriate as some of the cogitations were quite reminiscent of good old PG Wodehouse and Bertie Wooster. 😎

[Sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is really really poor. 1/2 star if I could. Supposed to be about the foibles of modern life but I know the book based on the "so very british" twitter account is way better, as are,presumably, many others. Not much really happens. Its an hour long (from listening books overdrive) but I 'flicked' thru it in a couple of minutes. Boring. Do not waste your time on this.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still laughing.

[Lizzie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny & well read by Mr Jarvis!

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

British humor. Funny. A bit like Jeeves.