Thomas Penman is the acclaimed autobiographical debut novel by Oscar-winning screenwriter Bruce Robinson, the author of "Withnail and I". This is the story of a dysfunctional family. It is about a boy and his grandpa, life and death, sex and hate, dog's meat and cancer. It is also about pornography, enemas, Morse codes, puberty, secrets, God and loathing. It is also about love.
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Review
'This book hums with particularity and vision … Thomas Penman is the work of a genuine prose-writer – and a gifted one at that’ -- Observer
‘Robinson careers brilliantly through the illicit fascinations and sickening thrills of adolescence’ -- Select
‘This book is in a league-table of revulsion all its own’ -- Sunday Times
‘Robinson careers brilliantly through the illicit fascinations and sickening thrills of adolescence’ -- Select
‘This book is in a league-table of revulsion all its own’ -- Sunday Times
About the Author
Bruce Robinson was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay of The Killing Fields. He has written and directed many other films, most famously Withnail and I.
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First Sentence
It was a dislocated unfriendly old house with Victorian additions and plenty of empty rooms. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
It was a dislocated unfriendly old house with Victorian additions and plenty of empty rooms. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read this book outloud to my 12 year old son, who howled with laughter while I choked back tears. Oscar Wilde pointed out that when a man writes his autobiography he produces fiction, but ask him to fictionalise and he'll give you himself. This is Withnail's childhood ... alias the amazing Bruce Robinson.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Thomas Penman is a strange character and I began the novel thinking him completely mad. As the book progresses I warmed to him as I learnt of his distant relationship with his family and his respect for his Grandpa. The book made be laugh and, unexpectantly cry as you watch the enevitable decline of Thomas's Grandpa and the harsh truths Thomas has to face. Thomas naivety is reflected throughout the book and usually the cause of much the humour. The book has a very light hearted approach to something that is perhaps more serious in reflection. An extremely original writer with his first novel indicating future successes. Although the book is written in third person aspects of the book are hidden from the reader and this increases anticipation and I simply couldn't but it down!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. G. Graham
Format:Paperback
this is the best book I have read - it is a modern classic. Over the years I have bought it as a gift for almost everyone I know. It is wonderful. Read it.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable
An unhappy childhood is said to be a gift to a writer and this is certainly the case here. Thomas Penman grows up in a rambling Victorian house in Broadstairs, Kent. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tod Hackett
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ewww.....
I struggled to finish this book. At times I thought it was well written and obviously funny but for the most part I couldn't get beyond the disgusting schoolboy humour. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Katie Baxter
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
Thoroughly enjoyable read. very sad to finish it. One of the only books with genuine laugh out loud factor.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
Published on 13 Aug 2008 by MikeF
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Its notorious reputation is based largely on those first few chapters, which concentrate in some depth on Thomas's unsavoury toilet... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2007 by Right_Riveting
2.0 out of 5 stars
A difficult read and ultimately unsatisfying (review contains some...
This book was not what I expected and I was really pleased to just finish it.
I suppose that I should have known that the writer behind Withnail And I would not be... Read more
I suppose that I should have known that the writer behind Withnail And I would not be... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2007 by I Read, Therefore I Blog
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surreally superb
Peculiar is right. Apparently this is autobiographical, which may just go to prove the truth is stranger than fiction thing all over again. Read more
Published on 14 April 2007 by S. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars
The greatest book I ever read
A truly great book .. I wish he would write more ! I read the book in a few days and have never ever regretted it. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2006 by ianp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hope to the hopeless
This is the tale of a seemingly inadequate young man's first and perhaps most important sexual encounter butressed with secrets, lies and ultimately the truth, a compelling... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
If you loved Withnail & I, you'll love Penman. No more needs to be said.
Published on 7 Oct 2004 by GeeBee
5.0 out of 5 stars
funny and touching
This book is fantastic, I loved it so much, I felt sad when I had finished reading it.
Published on 24 July 2004 by Laura
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