Taking Comfort
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Ian Hocking, Spike Magazine, 29 March, 2006
"There is much to recommend in this novel. Morris can write, and write well."
Alan Roche, Jai Clare’s blog, May 17, 2006
"Full marks to Macmillan New Writing for publishing this novel. . . an excellent novel and one I would recommend."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This novel is a tour de force of sparse and powerful writing. The reader sees the main character, Rob, go through a series of shocking experiences which highlight his vulnerability as a human and the way in which everyday objects can prove either a threat or a comfort.
The style of writing reminded me very much of Murakami, particularly in the way objects take on their own life and exert their effect on the life of the characters, but the tone in this context is more appropriately English and spare.
In some ways, the novel is very bleak and emphasises the fragility of the apparent normality we live with. This aspect is made even more evident by the clever and subtle use of the multi-viewpoint, although each character does (in the manner of a Greek chorus) serve to highlight the issues raised in Rob's story too.
That said, despite the bleakness, there is hope and a way through the jaggedness of modern life. The end of the book is very powerful and also uplifting, and the sense of catharsis is extremely satisfying indeed. I would certainly recommend this book and look forward with great interest to Morris' next.
The style of writing reminded me very much of Murakami, particularly in the way objects take on their own life and exert their effect on the life of the characters, but the tone in this context is more appropriately English and spare.
In some ways, the novel is very bleak and emphasises the fragility of the apparent normality we live with. This aspect is made even more evident by the clever and subtle use of the multi-viewpoint, although each character does (in the manner of a Greek chorus) serve to highlight the issues raised in Rob's story too.
That said, despite the bleakness, there is hope and a way through the jaggedness of modern life. The end of the book is very powerful and also uplifting, and the sense of catharsis is extremely satisfying indeed. I would certainly recommend this book and look forward with great interest to Morris' next.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Taking Comfort is a stylish and compelling first novel, original yet reader friendly. You won't have encountered anything quite like it before. Amongst many other things the book explores the complex interaction between the notions of comfort and discomfort in modern society, how we take comfort in the solidity and sexiness of products, use this slim consolation as a cushion against the randomness and tragedy of a world we know too much about and can control too little. The everyday reality of the central character in the novel begins to fracture over the course of a few days. Bad things happen around him. Very bad things. How is he to cope? How is he to take comfort? And what about the hooded murderer with the hammer?
I enjoyed Taking Comfort enormously. It's an excellent novel. Give it a go.
I enjoyed Taking Comfort enormously. It's an excellent novel. Give it a go.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Taking Comfort
Roger Morris
Be warned, if you pick up Taking Comfort you may well find it very hard to put down - and if you do there is a good chance someone else will pick it up and refuse to give it back.
Roger Morris' tale of city life in a post 9/11 world taps into collective insecurities and is peopled by a cast of compelling and convincing characters. Many are unnervingly familiar - reminiscent of "people we know" in real life. The author uses multiple viewpoints to get inside the characters' heads, and to explore their hopes and fears and dreams. Taking Comfort subtly invades the reader's head as well. You may never feel the same way about fabric conditioner or Starbucks coffee again.
Rob, the main character goes through a crowded week in which the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the trophies he collects become talismans to keep at bay the terrors that threaten the security of his everyday life. Nothing that happens to Rob is beyond the bounds of possibility. Who hasn't seen the grim announcements on the Underground and then as the next train pulls in shared in an almost tangible sense of relief that no one jumped this time?
The fact that Rob witnesses this random tragedy on his first morning in a new job and then finds it impossible to explain to anyone the true reason he is late sets up the tension and psychological complexity of the story. Rob's increasingly obsessive behaviour becomes a natural progression as he seeks to make sense of a cycle of disturbing events spiralling out of control.
Taking Comfort is intelligent and inventive. Roger Morris' style is engaging and intriguing. An interesting, satisfying and thought provoking read!
Roger Morris
Be warned, if you pick up Taking Comfort you may well find it very hard to put down - and if you do there is a good chance someone else will pick it up and refuse to give it back.
Roger Morris' tale of city life in a post 9/11 world taps into collective insecurities and is peopled by a cast of compelling and convincing characters. Many are unnervingly familiar - reminiscent of "people we know" in real life. The author uses multiple viewpoints to get inside the characters' heads, and to explore their hopes and fears and dreams. Taking Comfort subtly invades the reader's head as well. You may never feel the same way about fabric conditioner or Starbucks coffee again.
Rob, the main character goes through a crowded week in which the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the trophies he collects become talismans to keep at bay the terrors that threaten the security of his everyday life. Nothing that happens to Rob is beyond the bounds of possibility. Who hasn't seen the grim announcements on the Underground and then as the next train pulls in shared in an almost tangible sense of relief that no one jumped this time?
The fact that Rob witnesses this random tragedy on his first morning in a new job and then finds it impossible to explain to anyone the true reason he is late sets up the tension and psychological complexity of the story. Rob's increasingly obsessive behaviour becomes a natural progression as he seeks to make sense of a cycle of disturbing events spiralling out of control.
Taking Comfort is intelligent and inventive. Roger Morris' style is engaging and intriguing. An interesting, satisfying and thought provoking read!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Page turner
I picked up this book at random from a heap in my local library. With an hour to kill, I was looking at openings. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Enobarbus
Debut tour de force
Taking Comfort by Roger Morris
This was the first published novel from Roger Morris and (unlike his more recently published works of historical crime fiction, under the... Read more
This was the first published novel from Roger Morris and (unlike his more recently published works of historical crime fiction, under the... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2008 by A. J. Judge
"It's so you" - probably truer than we'd like it to be
Marketing people will tell you that we define ourselves by the things that we buy. That they remain gainfully employed may mean, irritatingly, that they're right. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2006 by E. Fawssett
Bold, challenging and thoroughly recommended
This is Roger Morris' debut novel and it is probably unlike anything you have read before.
Rob is an ordinary guy, starting a new job in insurance. Read more
Rob is an ordinary guy, starting a new job in insurance. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2006 by P. E. Beadle
Don't just judge a book by its cover
Roger Morris's first novel, `Taking Comfort' feels good in my hands. I very much like the combination of matt and shiny surfaces on the cover. Read more
Published on 19 July 2006 by R. MADELIN
A Rattling Good Read
Roger Morris's first published novel is a joy to read. In a world of literary mediocrity, a well crafted, sharp piece of work is utterly refreshing. Read more
Published on 19 April 2006 by V. K. Harmer
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