Iain’s review of The Satsuma Complex (Gary Thorn, #1) > Likes and Comments
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Really agree with this review, it's full of Bob's humour which is enjoyable and easy to read but the actual story is not particularly eventful, no real twists or turns and the ending falls rather flat!
Yes, it felt as though it had been rushed and not properly thought through and really went nowhere interesting at all. But plenty seem to have enjoyed it and it's riding high in the bestsellers charts, so I'm sure the publisher is happy!
Was also surprised with how he consistently did the opposite of ‘show, don’t tell’. Found all of his descriptions really frustrating to read
Henry wrote: "Was also surprised with how he consistently did the opposite of ‘show, don’t tell’. Found all of his descriptions really frustrating to read" The normal rules of judging writing don't seem to apply when celebrity authors are involved, certainly for the big publishers - and like I said, it's still riding high in the bestseller charts, so no doubt there will be a follow up!
Totally agree with all of the above, really dull story, no need for the toilet humour, and bad language, some tiny sparks of Mortimer we know and love from Insta or the TV but not very good. Probably only got published because of who he is. One thing that reaaly got on my goat was the grammar...I screamed inwardly each time he wrote 'was sat' or 'was stood'....it may be a Northern English thing but not needed in a novel for the rest of the English speaking world, thank you. Whole book drove me mad.
I enjoyed this book, snorting with laughter several times.
@Trish “It may be a Northern English thing but not needed in a novel” is the most ridiculous and snobbish thing I’ve seen in a book review. People can write in whatever dialect they like. If you don’t like it that’s your own fault. Also, saying there’s no need for the toilet humour and bad language just shows you’ve only seen Bob on Would I Lie To You or Gone Fishing. What a daft comment.
Totally agree with this review, we read this at book club and our consensus was that if it hadn’t been written by a celeb it wouldn’t have been published.
I really enjoyed this book, whether a celeb wrote it or not I enjoyed it either way! :) Helen- if you ever see this I also snort laughed mid sandwich, it was touch and go for a moment
I think you're being unfair. It's not a great work of art, but it's an entertaining read, and I really enjoyed it. It made me smile, and kept me engaged, which is all I want from a holiday read. I'm surprised you expected me than this.
I disagree completely. The ending fell flat for me and that I can say. His humour was quite stark, breath of fresh air and it created a warm and gut hitting environment which made the mystery side even more intriguing as you were never prepared for it.
See I don’t know Bob Mortimer before this book so I can’t consider his career against this book. However as an author from my perspective, this book was great.
- Memorable characters which made me laugh and whimper, ESPEICALLY Grace. Reminded me of the old lady from Deadpool
- I quite liked Emily. She had a reflective humour to Gary as a female
- Wayne was a great addition
- Other characters were forgettable and very bland which I’ll say.
Simple 5/5 for me. Just a few tweaks here and there.
At least I finished this, unlike my first and only attempt with Richard Osman where I had to give up because I found it far too irritating. I’m giving it 3 stars because it kept me interested.
Maybe you should just be stronger in your conviction to avoid celebrity books then. I think your review is unnecessarily harsh, tinged with slight snobbery, if you don't mind me saying. @WillRenshaw s review much more hits the mark. I think it's a decent first novel and I'm sure Bob's style of writing and plots will further develop, should he choose to put the pie down and write more.
you are so wrong this is very enjoyable read a great book please do not compare to Richard Osman who i find his series of Murder books very dull, no refection on Osman who i like but bob is the master of funny lines and off centre humour.
I totally agree with your review and couldn't have expressed my thoughts any better. Felt I really wanted to like the book because I really like Bob but it just doesn't work as a novel
Well at least it was an easy read. It’ll be interesting to see what the rest of the book club made of it.
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Patrick
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Dec 21, 2022 02:18PM
Really agree with this review, it's full of Bob's humour which is enjoyable and easy to read but the actual story is not particularly eventful, no real twists or turns and the ending falls rather flat!
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Yes, it felt as though it had been rushed and not properly thought through and really went nowhere interesting at all. But plenty seem to have enjoyed it and it's riding high in the bestsellers charts, so I'm sure the publisher is happy!
Was also surprised with how he consistently did the opposite of ‘show, don’t tell’. Found all of his descriptions really frustrating to read
Henry wrote: "Was also surprised with how he consistently did the opposite of ‘show, don’t tell’. Found all of his descriptions really frustrating to read" The normal rules of judging writing don't seem to apply when celebrity authors are involved, certainly for the big publishers - and like I said, it's still riding high in the bestseller charts, so no doubt there will be a follow up!
Totally agree with all of the above, really dull story, no need for the toilet humour, and bad language, some tiny sparks of Mortimer we know and love from Insta or the TV but not very good. Probably only got published because of who he is. One thing that reaaly got on my goat was the grammar...I screamed inwardly each time he wrote 'was sat' or 'was stood'....it may be a Northern English thing but not needed in a novel for the rest of the English speaking world, thank you. Whole book drove me mad.
I enjoyed this book, snorting with laughter several times.
@Trish “It may be a Northern English thing but not needed in a novel” is the most ridiculous and snobbish thing I’ve seen in a book review. People can write in whatever dialect they like. If you don’t like it that’s your own fault. Also, saying there’s no need for the toilet humour and bad language just shows you’ve only seen Bob on Would I Lie To You or Gone Fishing. What a daft comment.
Totally agree with this review, we read this at book club and our consensus was that if it hadn’t been written by a celeb it wouldn’t have been published.
I really enjoyed this book, whether a celeb wrote it or not I enjoyed it either way! :) Helen- if you ever see this I also snort laughed mid sandwich, it was touch and go for a moment
I think you're being unfair. It's not a great work of art, but it's an entertaining read, and I really enjoyed it. It made me smile, and kept me engaged, which is all I want from a holiday read. I'm surprised you expected me than this.
I disagree completely. The ending fell flat for me and that I can say. His humour was quite stark, breath of fresh air and it created a warm and gut hitting environment which made the mystery side even more intriguing as you were never prepared for it. See I don’t know Bob Mortimer before this book so I can’t consider his career against this book. However as an author from my perspective, this book was great.
- Memorable characters which made me laugh and whimper, ESPEICALLY Grace. Reminded me of the old lady from Deadpool
- I quite liked Emily. She had a reflective humour to Gary as a female
- Wayne was a great addition
- Other characters were forgettable and very bland which I’ll say.
Simple 5/5 for me. Just a few tweaks here and there.
At least I finished this, unlike my first and only attempt with Richard Osman where I had to give up because I found it far too irritating. I’m giving it 3 stars because it kept me interested.
Maybe you should just be stronger in your conviction to avoid celebrity books then. I think your review is unnecessarily harsh, tinged with slight snobbery, if you don't mind me saying. @WillRenshaw s review much more hits the mark. I think it's a decent first novel and I'm sure Bob's style of writing and plots will further develop, should he choose to put the pie down and write more.
you are so wrong this is very enjoyable read a great book please do not compare to Richard Osman who i find his series of Murder books very dull, no refection on Osman who i like but bob is the master of funny lines and off centre humour.
I totally agree with your review and couldn't have expressed my thoughts any better. Felt I really wanted to like the book because I really like Bob but it just doesn't work as a novel
Well at least it was an easy read. It’ll be interesting to see what the rest of the book club made of it.
