- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; New Ed edition (8 April 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007126824
- ISBN-13: 978-0007126828
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 522,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Although the publisher has touted this first novel as being in competition with Tony Parsons and Nick Hornby, perhaps a more accurate (but less marketing-friendly) comparison would be a 'Noughties' take on Alan Sillitoe. TMFTB focuses on two childhood friends growing up on Lancashire council estates: Kevin, the teenage rebel whose football career is cut short after a drunken brawl, and Adam, the more timid and conscientious of the pair, who wins a place at Cambridge. The strength of their friendship is put to the test, sometimes violently, as both struggle with their new situations. It could be a recipe for clumsy political point scoring set to the form of a novel and, while class differences are a hardy perennial of many British writers, Collins handles the subject deftly and with originality.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Time Out
"sparse and vivid"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book for my father, as I thought it would be the kind of thing he'd like, and I read it through first. Now, I'm going to have to go out and buy him something else! This was cliched, lazy writing of the worst kind - the plot lurched from one "write by numbers" situation to another, following the lives of cardboard characters that I just couldn't care about. There was no dramatic tension, no genuinely moving incident (and there should have been, as the novel deals with relationship break down, drug addiction, death), and even the prose was clunky and tired. At one point, during the clumsy depiction of Adam's relationship with Elizabeth, the description "the deep green pools of her eyes" was dragged kicking and screaming from the cliche pot, not once but four times in the space of a couple of chapters! Even novice writers know you have to circulate the descriptive language a bit to keep it from wilting on the page! Where was the editor?!
I only paid a penny (plus p&p) for this book, and quite frankly, I want my penny back! In fact, I'll live without the penny if you'll just take the book back!
I only paid a penny (plus p&p) for this book, and quite frankly, I want my penny back! In fact, I'll live without the penny if you'll just take the book back!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Pathetic stuff, an effective soporific; but that's it really. The characters are one-dimensional and the plot is dull as dust.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Until quite recently, I was under the impression that pretending to be working class went out with glam rock and qualudes. It seems that that particular pretension is back and finds form in this poor effort by first time "novelist" Philip Collins. Tired cliche of a plot and pretty C3 writing make this book costly even if you find it on the 99p shelf at a charity shop
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Touching, 70s story of finding your roots
I just finished this book and found it very moving. It shows how your life can be changed because of a single bit of fate which creates a downward spiral. Read more
Published on 22 May 2004 by Martin Greenhead
A Great Debut by Philip Collins
This book told the story of 2 friends and the very different changes that take place in their life from the age of 11. Read more
Published on 1 July 2003 by "rossacleary"
From Boys to Men - a woman's view
Although not ground-breaking I found this book enjoyable and easy to read. The characters were recognisable and although I found some of it far-fetched it was on the whole... Read more
Published on 20 May 2003 by Victoriana_Mad
Pure Brilliance
I got this book from my Dad for my 21st Birthday, it is one of the books that just has everything, it is funny, and touching, it is just one of those books I could not put down... Read more
Published on 15 May 2003 by "jamesfishersworld"
Dreary and dull parody of the working class North
There can be little to praise this stereotypical attempt at portraying the North of England, the authors descriptions of both the deprived childhood and the football are typical... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2003
A Novel for Men
The story of two very different boys growing up on the same street. Blood brothers who do everything together, but as they grow up their lives take different paths. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2003 by "cgooderham"
A moving and funny account of leaving a place behind
I found The Men From The Boys moving and very funny. Perhaps that is because I felt it was about me to some extent. Read more
Published on 10 May 2002
A big disappointment.
Potentially a really good story, but let down by weak characterisation, a naive style, unconvincing dialogue and too many cliches. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2002
A good first novel
I really enjoyed Philip Collins' first novel and would recommend it to fellow readers. It's obviously a first book as it contains all the usual hitches a first novel usually has -... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2002 by "evitac"
The one they left behind....
Anyone who has had a best friend that they can no longer really talk to will find this book at times painful and at times very moving. I also thought it was very funny. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2002
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