- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Fourth Estate; Reprint edition (7 Jun 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007146736
- ISBN-13: 978-0007146734
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 823,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Praise for Mr Starlight:
‘Mr Starlight is pure entertainment’ Sunday Times
‘Just as fresh and even more ambitious than Graham's previous bestsellers’ Guardian
‘Laurie Graham's skill in constructing a story which is both sensational and thought-provoking, is impressive’ TLS
‘Funny doesn't come much sharper than Laurie Graham’ Mail on Sunday
on THE UNFORTUNATES:
'She has wit and insight to match Nick Hornby, and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding.' Nicolette Jones, Independent
'A marvel. Graham’s style is riveting, hilarious one-liners falling in quick succession.’ Anthea Lawson, The Times
on FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA:
‘Superlative. The writing sparkles from first to last’ David Robson, Sunday Telegraph
‘Crackles with energy ’ Georgia Metcalfe, Daily Mail
‘Laugh-out-loud funny; intelligent; moving; has more delicious roll-off-the-tongue one-liners than Seinfeld. One of those books you buy six copies of to send to all your old friends.’ Julie Morrice, Scotsman
‘A wonderfully moving comedy.’ Alex Clark, Red
'A warm, life-affirming novel that offers its readers pure pleasure.' Katie Owen, The Times
Elaine Showalter, Guardian
'Mr Starlight is just as fresh and even more ambitious that Graham's previous bestsellers... Delicious.'
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Laurie Graham is the most delightful storyteller and I am huge fan.
Mr Starlight is another success for her, although I didnt enjoy is as much as say "The Dress Circle", which is the only reason I have not given the book 5 stars.
The book describes the life of the Boffs. Cled and Sel are entertainers at the local clubs around Birmingham, and they appear on the surface to be a pretty ordinary family. Sel is a cossetted and ambitious crooner, while Clef is a talented musician forever playing sidekick to his charismatic brother. When he gets the opportunity to move to America, Sel grabs the chance. Clef, with not much else to do, tags along.
The story of the Boff's rise to fame and their difficulty in coping is well written, and full of the quirkiness we have come to know from Graham. There are plenty of skeletons in closets, and enough conflict and emotion to keep the story rolling along.
I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Starlight, but if you are a first time reader of Laurie Graham, I would suggest that "The Dress Circle" or "The future homemakers of America" might be a better place to start.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was an extremely enjoyable book. Laurie Graham is very skilled at flipping between comedy and tragedy, and Mr Starlight certainly contains both elements. The prose is well written and it very easy to get stuck into and not put down for hours!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cled and Sel Boff play in the Welsh Club in Birmingham the lads however are soon off to America and life changes for both of them. Sel (Mr Starlight) hits the big time while Cled provides the narative and the one liners. It is an enjoyable read and I did laugh out loud at some of it, however I found it did drag on and unlike most of Ms Grahams books I was not sad to see the last page. I did however appericate the usual talent Laurie Graham has for giving the reader a vivid picture. The Mother clearly needs to open her eyes to Sel's life. There is an underlying saddness in it all. But its a good read overall.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sequins can hide a lot!
I read this book in a couple of days and found it really engaging. The storyline is a simple rags-to-riches one, with our hero aiming right for the top, with an average amount of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bookwise
Cracking little book!
I picked this up at the library table sale and had never heard of the author before. Once I started reading it I just couldn't put it down; at the end of each chapter I was... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Zola fan
A sparkling comedy that ticks all the boxes
I loved Graham's book `The Future Homemakers...' and when I chanced upon this in a charity shop I hoped it would be just as entertaining and witty with characters to love. Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 by Nicola F (Nic)
Audio version is a real trhill
I listened to the unabridged audio version of Mr Starlight read by Jonathan Keeble. I got from the library, for something to listen to on a very long car journey, and did not... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2008 by Robert
Mr Starlight
The first time I tried to read this book, I gave up after a few chapters - I just couldn't get into it. Read more
Published on 8 April 2008 by gerty guinea
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
