- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Fourth Estate (3 May 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007197489
- ISBN-13: 978-0007197484
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 13.4 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 876,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Utterly Monkey
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘“Utterly Monkey” is an extraordinarily accomplished novel, by a confident and eloquent voice, filled with humour and insights.’ Sunday Times
‘Fluently written, ebulliently implausible, Nick Laird’s fiction debut is an entertaining mix of thriller and comedy of misfortunes.’ Independent on Sunday
‘Funny, good humoured and deftly written.’ Daily Telegraph
‘“Utterly Monkey” is the real thing; a novel rich in both achievement and promise, by a writer who can actually write.’ The Times
‘Exquisitely written and extremely entertaining.’ Mail on Sunday
‘A fine, amusing writer.’ Daily Mail
‘Laird has earned his place on the writers’ catwalk. Expect to hear much more from this season’s smash hit.’ Belfast Telegraph
‘Laird paces the story well, and shows his poetry roots with some arresting imagery.This is a debut with humour and a heart.’ Marie Claire
‘A sharp and funny debut.’ Eve
Frank McCourt
'Nick Laird's writing is deft, good-humoured and absorbing.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A novel revolving around Danny Williams, a disenchanted lawyer originally from Northern Ireland working in the City. A childhood friend, Geordie, turns up unexpectedly at his door one evening. The novel is set in both London and NI, and the characters are (I felt) spot on. I have read another review criticizing the figure of Ian, a shady loyalist. However, I felt that Ian was just right - nearly fundamentalist in some aspects, with a touch of self aggrandizement, and the overdeveloped gym torso of the thug/bully, the total more laughable than sinister. I also loved Danny's colleague in the office, Albert, who spends much of his time having his workdesk/computer/keyboard ergonomically tweaked, to pass the time and feed a neurosis. The character of Ellen I felt was the least interesting of all his characters. She is a colleague, beautiful, black and self-possessed. Given the similarities between Laird and his wife (the beautiful, black and no doubt self-possessed) Zadie Smith, much comment has been made about the semi-autobiographical nature of the work. Superficial similarities indeed - please don't expect to get deep character insights into the persona of Laird or Smith from this novel. It is more of a good yarn, well written and (for me) laugh-out-loud funny. (I rarely laugh out loud at novels, particularly ones described as laugh-out-loud funny) It's not the meaning of life, it's not the poetic beauty of an Ondaajte, but for all that, I'd read it again and recommend it to anyone wanting an entertaining diversion.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There seems to be a cabal against this humorous, entertaining book. Many of those who have submitted very negative, single-starred reviews seem not to have read it at all. I can only guess Nick Laird's made enemies for some reason. (Perhaps all these bad reviews are from some of the people who didn't get a book published that year?) I thought it was well-written, well-plotted, and, though a bit long and in parts laboured, an excellent first book.
Format:Paperback
I glanced through the reviews for Utterly Monkey just as I started reading, and at that point I wondered if I was making a mistake bothering at all. For a book to attract so many One Star reviews is unusual as most books have some redeeming features to lift them above the totally dire category. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I got reading and found this to be a very creditable first novel.
The plot centres on two childhood friends from Northern Ireland, Danny and Geordie. Danny is a lawyer in London and when Geordie is forced to leave Northern Ireland, he lands on Danny's doorstep. The book is set in 2004 and the political background in Ulster overshadows the plot. However, this is mainly a descriptive book and the story progresses at a relatively gentle pace in the background, although it does pick up pace for the last 30 pages or so when there is a fair amount of action.
The writing is pithy and witty and I found this quite enjoyable and easy to read without being a page turner.
The plot centres on two childhood friends from Northern Ireland, Danny and Geordie. Danny is a lawyer in London and when Geordie is forced to leave Northern Ireland, he lands on Danny's doorstep. The book is set in 2004 and the political background in Ulster overshadows the plot. However, this is mainly a descriptive book and the story progresses at a relatively gentle pace in the background, although it does pick up pace for the last 30 pages or so when there is a fair amount of action.
The writing is pithy and witty and I found this quite enjoyable and easy to read without being a page turner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Utterly Comatose
What a sad waste of time...I forced myself to plough through assuming that no book could possibly be approved for publishing without some merit but unfortunately this contribution... Read more
Published on 22 May 2007 by Lulu
More Monkey... than utterly anything
The dialogue and many of the scenes are well crafted and have merit, engaging at moments, but the plot bounces along and fails to get off the ground. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2007 by stevieby
Utterly Dull
350 odd pages and about two pages were worthwhile.
I ended up not caring less what happened to the characters. The ending was obvious right from the start. Read more
I ended up not caring less what happened to the characters. The ending was obvious right from the start. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2006 by S. Shaw
Utterly brilliant
Fantastic debut. Throughly enjoyably read. Bought this as part of a two for three offer for my partner as it said 'lad-lit' on the back, but as soon as I started reading I couldn't... Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2006 by Theresa Morris
Shocking, absolutely shocking....
This is perhaps the most pointless book I have ever had the misfortune to read. Nothing happens in it. The monkey isn't even funny! Read more
Published on 15 May 2006 by Joey L
Not that bad.
Danny thinks his life is pretty much stable. He has a good job in a big company, nice cozy flat and a good reliable car. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2005 by Tola
An Entertaining Read and a Worthy First Book
As Mr. Nick Laird is not defined by the woman he just happens to be married to (not unlike most of us), I shall endeavour to shy away from lumping him in with his wife and taking... Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2005 by Dana Robinson
This is a lot better than the book!
I am very amused by these criticisms of this very mediocre book, one not worth the price or the time it takes to read. I didn't read more than twenty pages. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005 by Hughie McShane
Yes the truth is out!!!
I thoroughly agree with Nemesis. How dare anyone suggest that we readers aren't capable of making up our own minds! Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2005 by Ben Nevis
utterly spunky: it's funny and engaging
Nick's book is good. He writes well and keeps the reader interested and involved. We care about his characters' past, present and future. It's also an entertaining yarn. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2005
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