The Hopeless Life Of Charlie Summers
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Review
'Torday is one of the most original voices in modern fiction' (LONDON METRO )
'This hugely likeable book subtly highlights the surprising parallells between obvious con men and the rest of us who just want to make a fast buck.' (Elizabeth Buchan SUNDAY TIMES )
'A lively credit crunch satire...This debonair and elegantly written farce borrows from Wodehouse and Sharpe.' (Emma Hagestadt INDEPENDENT )
'A humorous and nuanced read' (SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, Ireland )
'Dog food, stately homes, gullible rich widows and a hostage crisis all combine a tragicomical contemporary morality tale packed with wit, pathos and sharp class observation.' (Wendy Holden DAILY MAIL )
'Poignant, funny, brilliantly-crafted, an outstanding story for our time.' (TELEGRAPH & ARGUS )
'This hugely likeable book subtly highlights the surprising parallells between obvious con men and the rest of us who just want to make a fast buck.' (Elizabeth Buchan SUNDAY TIMES )
'A lively credit crunch satire...This debonair and elegantly written farce borrows from Wodehouse and Sharpe.' (Emma Hagestadt INDEPENDENT )
'A humorous and nuanced read' (SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, Ireland )
'Dog food, stately homes, gullible rich widows and a hostage crisis all combine a tragicomical contemporary morality tale packed with wit, pathos and sharp class observation.' (Wendy Holden DAILY MAIL )
'Poignant, funny, brilliantly-crafted, an outstanding story for our time.' (TELEGRAPH & ARGUS )
Book Description
A modern A TALE OF TWO CITIES by the bestselling author of SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved this book so much that I immediately went out and bought another book by Paul Torday. With someone who writes as well as this, I don't think you can really go wrong.
I couldn't put the book down. The plot was ingenious, the themes topical, the characterization very credible and as an added bonus, it had me laughing out loud. That's not to say that it was a comedy. There are definitely some scary parts and one or two very scary characters. And the ending is terribly sad.
However, everything flowed, all details were relevant, and Mr Torday is a very competent and compelling storyteller.
I only wish that really good books like this would get more attention, but sadly, it's often the so-called bestsellers that end up being a disappointment. You won't get that here.
I couldn't put the book down. The plot was ingenious, the themes topical, the characterization very credible and as an added bonus, it had me laughing out loud. That's not to say that it was a comedy. There are definitely some scary parts and one or two very scary characters. And the ending is terribly sad.
However, everything flowed, all details were relevant, and Mr Torday is a very competent and compelling storyteller.
I only wish that really good books like this would get more attention, but sadly, it's often the so-called bestsellers that end up being a disappointment. You won't get that here.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read all Paul Torday's books up to date and this one did not disappoint. As the plot has been outlined in other reviews, I will keep this brief and just say ''The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers'' is another great read. His earlier novels, like this one, are a mixture of humour and (often) sadness - his characters usually somewhat flawed but likeable. There is always an unusual twist to look forward to. I so enjoyed this latest novel and urge others to read it. It's impossible not to like ''Eck'' and Charlie Summers.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a very easy read, describing the interaction between the itinerant underperforming eponymous businessman Charlie Summers, who mets two friends, Eck and Henry, whilst holidaying in the South of France, and attaches himself to them. The narrator, Eck Chetwode-Talbot, is a veteran of Afghanistan now employed by a ruthless ex-school colleague who heads a hedge fund just prior to the global financial crisis and melt-down of the global banking system. The book has veins of light humourous observations running through it, as Eck tries to sort out what is important in his life whilst the events in Afghanistan come back to haunt him, and Charlie flounders from one failed business venture to the next. The separate threads of the characters comes together at the end, although I was wondering at times where it was all going. Really just a light entertaining story. Quite good but not outstanding.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well written but predictable
Pros - It's well written, and the financial backdrop and jargon seem well observed. It's also interesting (if you've read any of the author's other novels)to see how the lives of... Read more
Published 15 days ago by happy hermit
I'd like to vist Torday-land
I do find Paul Torday's books very readable. It helps that he has characters wandering out of one book into another and plots or themes from one book prefigured in another. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Harris
Wonderful writing of Paul Torbay
SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS
If you need book plot information, please see the product details or other more comprehensive reviews. Read more
If you need book plot information, please see the product details or other more comprehensive reviews. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
torday back on top
I loved Salmon...found Wilberforce a bit too much...hated Girl on ... but this is Torday back on top. Read Charlie in one sitting; loved the dry humour. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Yvonne Moore
My first Paul Torday book
This book popped up as an Amazon recommendation at a time when I was "Between Authors". I wanted something easy and light, and this book met both of those criteria. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Broad Sailor
Not as goor as 'Salmon fishing'
. lazy book, not in depth view of issues regarding issues at all. Why coast like this after Salmon Fishing ??
Published 15 months ago by Paul at Bank
Brilliant!
This is Paul Torday at his best. The story is delicious from beginning to end and you just keep wishing the book would not come to an end too quickly so that the pleasure can last... Read more
Published 17 months ago by P. CHADWICK
The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers
A rather disappointing novel given the excitement that could have been generated by the subject material. Definitely one for my give to charity pile
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Graham Hawken
Another great read from Paul Torday
I just love this author. The story has been explained well by other reviewers so I won't describe it myself. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Donna Mcmanus
Tordays best book yet?
I loved this book, with its storylines interwoven so very skillfully and taking in just about every topical issue and yet making it all sound so plausable. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Penny Nom
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