- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Serpent's Tail (7 Feb 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1852429062
- ISBN-13: 978-1852429065
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 12.7 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 360,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
King of the Road
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Stuart MacBride Reviews King of the Road
It might seem a little odd to be recommending the third book in a series, but this was probably the best book I read last year. King Of The Road follows Royston Blake as he tries to reclaim his place in society after a particularly disastrous outing in Booze and Burn left him cooling his heels for a while in a secured psychiatric hospital. The whole Mangel series is narrated from Blake’s point of view, and a lot of the joy comes from picking up on all the clues he’s oblivious too. There are jokes aplenty, moments to make you wince, others to make you curse Blake for the idiot that he most definitely is...
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
It might seem a little odd to be recommending the third book in a series, but this was probably the best book I read last year. King Of The Road follows Royston Blake as he tries to reclaim his place in society after a particularly disastrous outing in Booze and Burn left him cooling his heels for a while in a secured psychiatric hospital. The whole Mangel series is narrated from Blake’s point of view, and a lot of the joy comes from picking up on all the clues he’s oblivious too. There are jokes aplenty, moments to make you wince, others to make you curse Blake for the idiot that he most definitely is... You could just read this on its own, or better yet: start with the first two books in the series. That way you’ll get the whole build up, and it’ll make the payoff all the sweeter.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Review
"'Deadfolk was a fantastic debut and Fags and Lager is even better. Royston Blake is a truly original anti-hero' Mark Billingham 'Fags and Lager is yokel Tarantino... Roll on Mangel book three' Metro London 'There's a real depth to the characters... anyone famillar with small town life will appreciate the pitch-black sense of humour' Big Issue in the North (6/6/05) 'Blake is a dazzling creation of well-intentioned prejudice and overblown machismo, dripping with dramatic irony' BBC Online 'Fags and Lager is seriously funny... Anyone who's ever grown up and put up with rude boys, growlers and thugs in a crappy, rain-soaked market town in the middle of nowhere, will no doubt fall in love with this all-too-fictional nonfiction' Front"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ive read all 3 of Charlie Williams "Mangel Trilogy". The burb on the back suggests this is the last of the Roysten Blake offerings, I hope Mr Williams goes on to create another such anti-hero and world.
All 3 books are very strong, the protaganist, if you can call Blakey that, is an anti-hero of great proportions, theres a great depth to his shallowness!! King of the road like its predecessors is a well worked plot oozing with dark comedy, twist and turns and the great inhabitants of Mangel.
Give it a go, well worth it!!
All 3 books are very strong, the protaganist, if you can call Blakey that, is an anti-hero of great proportions, theres a great depth to his shallowness!! King of the road like its predecessors is a well worked plot oozing with dark comedy, twist and turns and the great inhabitants of Mangel.
Give it a go, well worth it!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The best Mangel book so far. Blakey, the `hero' is more captivating than ever. He is one of literatures great thinkers - unfortunately he is also one of the thickest and spends his time thinking when he should be paying attention and committing acts of aggression when he should be thinking.
Once again there are some great characters and storylines, with that fantastic balance between far fetched and believable. Mangel and its population are hateful but also very familiar. The author has captured the essence of what is the worst of small town life.
Don't waste any more time reading this review, buy the Mangel series, lock yourself in a padded room and enjoy the ride
Once again there are some great characters and storylines, with that fantastic balance between far fetched and believable. Mangel and its population are hateful but also very familiar. The author has captured the essence of what is the worst of small town life.
Don't waste any more time reading this review, buy the Mangel series, lock yourself in a padded room and enjoy the ride
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Having read 'one dead hen', I have to say I enjoyed this a lot more. The writing seems more fluent, or perhaps I'm just getting used to the way Williams uses words.
The flashbacks to sessions at the mental hospital work really well to intersperse the chapters. The plot and characters are strong, and I felt compelled to finish the book to the exclusion of much else, which is always a good sign for me.
I'm definitely a Royston Blake fan, and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Again, language not for the prudish or faint-hearted, but highly recommended.
The flashbacks to sessions at the mental hospital work really well to intersperse the chapters. The plot and characters are strong, and I felt compelled to finish the book to the exclusion of much else, which is always a good sign for me.
I'm definitely a Royston Blake fan, and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Again, language not for the prudish or faint-hearted, but highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not for the faint hearted!
I can see why this novel was re-released. I can also see why it went out of print! This is the most non-PC novel I have EVER read. It made me laugh out loud. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Enquirer
Strange!
Confusion is present at the beginning, reduces via flashback but is never resolved in this most unusual novel. Read more
Published 9 months ago by P. T. Harries
Hmm
I think most people will either love or hate King of the Road.
For myself I'm really not sure which camp I should be in, on the one hand I kind of enjoyed the story (such as... Read more
For myself I'm really not sure which camp I should be in, on the one hand I kind of enjoyed the story (such as... Read more
Published 9 months ago by I. B. Pitbladdo
Loved it
The storyline is great, you get to know the characters well and it is funny, what else do you need to know! Read more
Published 9 months ago by E. H.
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