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Eleven
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Review
`You may recognise Mark Watson's name from TV panel shows such as Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week, from his pear cider ads or from his stand-up routine... But this, the comedian's third novel, cements his reputation as a witty, sharply observant writer' --Stylist 8/6
`Here's a rather sickening fact for you: at just 31, comedian Mark Watson has written three novels. And to add insult to injury, they've all been excellent. His latest follows the superbly named Xavier Ireland - a secret-harbouring DJ who inadvertently sparks a chain of events that sees his own life, and 10 others, rapidly unravel. The compelling plotline and sharp, witty prose combine to make Eleven Watson's finest literary achievement yet. Prepare to battle envious emotions the whole way through'
--Shortlist 9/6
'Emotive, dark and funny in all the right places'
--Venue Magazine, June Issue
`Here's a rather sickening fact for you: at just 31, comedian Mark Watson has written three novels. And to add insult to injury, they've all been excellent. His latest follows the superbly named Xavier Ireland - a secret-harbouring DJ who inadvertently sparks a chain of events that sees his own life, and 10 others, rapidly unravel. The compelling plotline and sharp, witty prose combine to make Eleven Watson's finest literary achievement yet. Prepare to battle envious emotions the whole way through'
--Shortlist 9/6
'Emotive, dark and funny in all the right places'
--Venue Magazine, June Issue
Product Description
This is the story of radio DJ Xavier Ireland, who by night offers words of wisdom to sleepless Londoners and by day keeps himself to himself. That is, until a one-of-a-kind encounter forces him to confront his own biggest regret. Meanwhile, a single moment sparks a chain of events that will affect eleven lives across the city, with unstoppable consequences...Eleven is a tale of love, loss, Scrabble and six degrees of separation, asking whether the choices we don't make affect us just as powerfully as those we do.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Xavier Ireland is an Australian living in London who has a popular late night radio phone-in show where people share their problems. For all the calm advice he doles out though, Xavier harbours a secret tragedy, one that he's come half way around the world to escape. As he works on putting his life back together, one innocuous decision sets off a chain of events that affects not only Xavier's life, but also the lives of 10 strangers, to dramatic effect.
One of Britain's best comedians, Mark Watson has written a sensitive and moving story about strangers brought together by random circumstance. Xavier's a complicated character, haunted by one mistake that cost him everything. Half of the story turns on slowly unveiling what that event is but for me, the pay off was a bit of an anti-climax - the event itself so small that it was difficult to believe the consequences and while that's perhaps partly the point of it, it nevertheless remained a bum note in an otherwise good book.
The other half of the story draws on the unveiling of the events connecting the eleven characters and this worked really well. While Xavier anchors the action, the novel is studded with a host of characters, any of whom could be one of the eleven. Of these, Xavier's radio sidekick, the ever-optimistic Murray is deftly portrayed - a sad sack with a stutter he's ambitious but knows that without Xavier he'll never have a shot while Pippa, a Geordie and former athlete who now works as a cleaner is an interesting counterfoil to Xavier and the development of their relationship holds the interest.
The themes of regret, guilt and second chances are powerfully drawn and there were some very moving moments - particularly with the story of Julius, an overweight boy on a council estate who's picked on for his looks by his classmates and driven to desperate measures. There are some funny lines that stop it descending into misery, but this isn't a comedic novel and I enjoyed it for that.
While the central conceit could have become hackneyed in the hands of a less skilled writer, Watson never allows it to and there are enough surprises within the plot to keep it interesting. While this isn't a perfect read, it is nevertheless a good one and I definitely suggest checking it out.
One of Britain's best comedians, Mark Watson has written a sensitive and moving story about strangers brought together by random circumstance. Xavier's a complicated character, haunted by one mistake that cost him everything. Half of the story turns on slowly unveiling what that event is but for me, the pay off was a bit of an anti-climax - the event itself so small that it was difficult to believe the consequences and while that's perhaps partly the point of it, it nevertheless remained a bum note in an otherwise good book.
The other half of the story draws on the unveiling of the events connecting the eleven characters and this worked really well. While Xavier anchors the action, the novel is studded with a host of characters, any of whom could be one of the eleven. Of these, Xavier's radio sidekick, the ever-optimistic Murray is deftly portrayed - a sad sack with a stutter he's ambitious but knows that without Xavier he'll never have a shot while Pippa, a Geordie and former athlete who now works as a cleaner is an interesting counterfoil to Xavier and the development of their relationship holds the interest.
The themes of regret, guilt and second chances are powerfully drawn and there were some very moving moments - particularly with the story of Julius, an overweight boy on a council estate who's picked on for his looks by his classmates and driven to desperate measures. There are some funny lines that stop it descending into misery, but this isn't a comedic novel and I enjoyed it for that.
While the central conceit could have become hackneyed in the hands of a less skilled writer, Watson never allows it to and there are enough surprises within the plot to keep it interesting. While this isn't a perfect read, it is nevertheless a good one and I definitely suggest checking it out.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Somewhat out of character for a bloke who can have a novel on the go for well in excess of a month, I lay in the garden and devoured Eleven in a weekend. I attribute this partly to the weather, partly to the fact that my girlfriend was otherwise detained but mostly to the quality of Watson's writing.
Anyone familiar with Watson as a comedian will be aware that his appeal is down to more than just him 'being funny'; he's humble enough to endear himself without being too self-deprecating and his insight can challenge your thoughts without seeming preachy. These aspects of his personality are naturally evident in his writing.
Eleven is the story of eleven people with little in common other than their geographic location and a single string of related events, invisible to everyone but the omniscient reader. It's also the story of one of those eleven having his arm twisted into being a better person, having a tangible positive effect on his world while around him the aftershocks of a previous bad decision rumble on, more disastrously than he would have ever imagined.
It's a romanticised view, to some extent, and Watson applies a degree of artistic licence but it remains honest because it undoubtedly reflects exactly the sort of chain reaction of actions and consequences that is going on around us all the time, undetectable from the viewpoint of someone on the inside looking out.
Ultimately, Eleven serves as a touching illustration of how decisions we make or fail to make can affect ourselves and others in ways we couldn't dream possible, causing you to ask yourself the simultaneous questions 'Could I be better?', 'Should I be better?' and 'Why do I bother?' Sometimes warming, sometimes upsetting, its humour is present but subtle and its insight is greater than any comedian has the right to possess.
I fear I haven't done Eleven justice but that's why Watson is the successful writer, rather than me. He could retire today and spend the rest of his life looking back at what is already a superb storytelling career. But I hope he doesn't.
Anyone familiar with Watson as a comedian will be aware that his appeal is down to more than just him 'being funny'; he's humble enough to endear himself without being too self-deprecating and his insight can challenge your thoughts without seeming preachy. These aspects of his personality are naturally evident in his writing.
Eleven is the story of eleven people with little in common other than their geographic location and a single string of related events, invisible to everyone but the omniscient reader. It's also the story of one of those eleven having his arm twisted into being a better person, having a tangible positive effect on his world while around him the aftershocks of a previous bad decision rumble on, more disastrously than he would have ever imagined.
It's a romanticised view, to some extent, and Watson applies a degree of artistic licence but it remains honest because it undoubtedly reflects exactly the sort of chain reaction of actions and consequences that is going on around us all the time, undetectable from the viewpoint of someone on the inside looking out.
Ultimately, Eleven serves as a touching illustration of how decisions we make or fail to make can affect ourselves and others in ways we couldn't dream possible, causing you to ask yourself the simultaneous questions 'Could I be better?', 'Should I be better?' and 'Why do I bother?' Sometimes warming, sometimes upsetting, its humour is present but subtle and its insight is greater than any comedian has the right to possess.
I fear I haven't done Eleven justice but that's why Watson is the successful writer, rather than me. He could retire today and spend the rest of his life looking back at what is already a superb storytelling career. But I hope he doesn't.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't know why I bought this book. I knew who Mark Watson was, and I loved his comedy, but I honestly don't know how I got from his stand-up to buying this book.
But I'm very glad I did!
From the few reviews I'd read online, I was expecting a laugh-out-loud book. Instead, I found myself completely enthralled and moved by the story almost immediately. It's funny too, but mostly I was gripped by the story, how well the pieces fit together, how Watson's web spun out, starting with one little event. The language is beautiful, I'd catch myself re-reading bits just because I loved the wording so much.
And how it all comes together, the journey for Xavier (and all the other characters) from the start to the last page.
It's just a beautiful book! The only reason it took me so long to finish it was that I kept putting it down because I didn't want it to end.
But I'm very glad I did!
From the few reviews I'd read online, I was expecting a laugh-out-loud book. Instead, I found myself completely enthralled and moved by the story almost immediately. It's funny too, but mostly I was gripped by the story, how well the pieces fit together, how Watson's web spun out, starting with one little event. The language is beautiful, I'd catch myself re-reading bits just because I loved the wording so much.
And how it all comes together, the journey for Xavier (and all the other characters) from the start to the last page.
It's just a beautiful book! The only reason it took me so long to finish it was that I kept putting it down because I didn't want it to end.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
My First Kindle Purchase - Brilliant.
Eleven is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and have not read anything like it so far. The story is sad in places and heart warming in others. Read more
Published 21 days ago by shibby1989
Great read!
I have really been bowled over by the style in which 'Eleven' has been written. It seems a very different and unorthodox way to structure a story but it seems to work (and I'll be... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ax
Poor
Really disappointed by this book. I was expecting a good read after checking out the reviews. It was poorly written, the 'chain of events' were loosely connected and didn't seem to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Captain Rosebud
Unfinished plotlines
I really like Mark Watson as a comedian and he's clearly a talented writer able to create very strong characters. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sally
Witty and Moving Novel
I enjoy the comedy of Mark Watson and think he is one of the best stand ups at present in the country which is what led me to check out one of his novels. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lesley Tingle
Struck a chord with me
This is the first book I've read which I wish I'd written! Not possible I'm not a writer. But so many of the ideas mirrored thoughts that I've had but could not express like this. Read more
Published 5 months ago by DebbieB
Great easy to read book with compelling characters
An enjoyable easy to read book with compelling characters that you end up caring about. I read this in a couple of sittings
Published 6 months ago by Angela39
Sensitive, affectionate and surprisingly thought provoking
Eleven tells the story of DJ Xavier, an Australian who comes to England and changes his name - quite why takes is left a way through to reveal and comes as quite a shock - and the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ms S. J. Rayner
Wow. Just wow
Reading a book, like humour, is such a subjective thing that only rarely do I write reviews nowadays, but this has fair taken my breath away. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Reah Maynah Nonnymuss
The Butterfly Effect
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... Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Ross
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