- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Black Swan (1 Sep 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0552770965
- ISBN-13: 978-0552770965
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.6 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 587,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
FHM
'The peace process drafted by The Fast Show. Funny, absurd and memorable. Recommended 4/5.'
Maxim
Very funny.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed 'London Irish' so much, 'Big Jessie' was a foregone buying conclusion. I have no regrets.
This book is a stronger, smoother read and the charcters presented are ones that I would love to see repeated.
Rock journalist Jay (Big Jessie) Black was a tortured man. Or child, actually. As a well-blubbered ten year-old social pariah, he set off for a school trip solely to not be thought ‘gay’ if he didn’t go. What happened to him isn’t fit for family consumption, but I can tell you it involved a wet suit, a group of school bullies and an unorthodox yet moving way to warm the wetsuit up.
He had no choice but to grow up to be Ireland’s leading exposé expert. But, Jay Black has decided to settle into a comfortable job as the music reviewer for the Ulster News Letter. He’s still bent on revenge against those that humiliated him. But, there is a kink in his plans.
Despite all the dirt he has on other people, someone has dirt on him. Good dirt. Put him away and throw away the key dirt. Jay has no choice but to comply when he’s drawn into a plan to discredit the leader of the Sinn Fein, Martin O’Hanlon, by any means necessary.
Into the middle of this chaos walks Scarlet Harlot, lead singer for an indie band named, oddly enough, the Harlots. Jay is smitten. When pressed, a member of the band allows Jay and his photog friend Diggsy to join them on their way down to Dublin for a gig. Maybe Jay can kill two birds with one stone. Get the information he needs on O’Hanlon and get closer to Scarlet all in the same trip.
If it weren’t for whoever it is that wants Jay dead, this may well have worked. When shots are fired near the border, this plan goes down in snow.
But, who would want such a journalist phenom as Jay Black dead? From the guy with the gun that warns Jay off from Scarlet to the guy Jay blackmailed into to giving Jay his swank penthouse digs rent free to the man that’s blackmailing him, there is no shortage of potential assassins.
But, it’s only when Scarlet is kidnapped that Jay becomes emotionally invested in what’s happening. Yeah, he wants to live to write another day, but what’s life without the woman he’s terrified to admit his feelings for?
It is now that I get on my cyber knees and ask Mr. Radcliffe to write faster.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Big Jessie is the story of Jessie Black, a Belfast music journalist who goes on the road to Dublin with all-girl indie rock band The Harlots. But Jessie's past is about to catch up with him in thrilling and riotous ways. This novel has more twists and turns than the River Lagan and really captures the mood of modern Belfast - laugh-out-loud optimism mixed with dark and brooding cynicism. A more than worthy companion to Colin Bateman.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Big' Jessie Black is a journalist still tortured by memories of being bullied as a child. He has spent his career trying to ruin the lives of those that left him damaged. However, recently he has decided to enter semi retirement as one investigation left him with a million pound flat and an allegation of manslaughter. It is only when Jay meets an all female band, and their lead singer Scarlet, that he begins to get involved in dangerous cases again. You see, Scarlet has just been murdered and Jay is sure that the IRA knows where her body is. Can Jay find peace whilst avoiding both the IRA and the Royal Guard?
You would not know from the above synopsis but this is a black comedy. Although the story has many weighty issues the actual style is very light and rarely gets depressing. I found it very funny in parts and I think that the characters are very well realised. The only real criticism is that I found it a bit too similar to Colin Bateman's books - but not quite as good. However, if you are looking for a dark and funny read that will keep you entertained, this could be for you.
You would not know from the above synopsis but this is a black comedy. Although the story has many weighty issues the actual style is very light and rarely gets depressing. I found it very funny in parts and I think that the characters are very well realised. The only real criticism is that I found it a bit too similar to Colin Bateman's books - but not quite as good. However, if you are looking for a dark and funny read that will keep you entertained, this could be for you.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A decent effort
This is a decent effort at a comic / thriller novel where both the plot and the humour have their moments but both are a little forced. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Dan Fante
Not bad. Good beach read.
Actually reads a bit like an Irish Janet Evanovich. Not the quickest plot in the worl but a good read for a holiday.
Published on 31 July 2006 by Robert
Pogo-tastic
Despite the fact he used to sit in front of me in every damn class at school, the boy obviously paid attention in all our English classes. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2003 by NW Savage
Deadly funny
I enjoyed 'London Irish' and this follow-up is even more assured. Rock journalist Jay Black sets out to avenge those people who bullied him at school in a plot that is at turns... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2003 by Connor Davidson
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