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Chapter and Verse
 
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Chapter and Verse (Paperback)

by Colin Bateman (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 309 pages
  • Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (7 April 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0755302451
  • ISBN-13: 978-0755302451
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 13.4 x 2.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 587,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #45 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > B > Bateman, Colin

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Product Description

Review

'Chapter and Verse is a joy to read. An effective satire on publishing, it is bursting with page after page of raw and racy wit, delivered with a dark and often wry humour reminiscent of Irvine Welsh. Bateman's skill is one of enchanting storytelling: he clearly enjoys fleshing out his characters with personality and idiosyncrasies, and this ensures plausibility and reader empathy. It's one of those books you will find difficult to put down, and when you finally do you'll crave more of the same' Leeds Guide 22 April -- 7 May 2003 -- Leeds Guide 20030422 'He's funny, has a nose for the popular, writes with wit and ease' Mirror 5/4/03 -- Mirror 20030405 '[Colin Bateman] has matured into a prolific author with a fine line in comedy' Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Journal 22/4/03 -- Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Journal 20030422 'Chapter & Verse is a diverting comedy, which gives further plausibility to the hopes of Bateman's publishers to sell him as an Irish Carl Hiaasen...He shows a high talent for farce and a way with comic detail' Guardian 17/5/03 -- Guardian 20030517 'Once again, Bateman's dry wit combined with an impressively wild imagination has created a captivating read... CHAPTER AND VERSE is another brilliant, fast-paced novel by Bateman. While you're laughing, you'll be feeling slightly guilty that you're not crying, as his acerbic wit shines off the page. Without a doubt, CHAPTER AND VERSE will be another hit for Colin Bateman' Irish World 11/4/03 -- Irish World 20030411 'A joy from start to finish' People magazine, South Africa, 4 June 2004 -- People magazine, South Africa 20040604 'Chapter & Verse is a diverting comedy, which gives further plausibility to the hopes of Bateman's publishers to sell him as an Irish Carl Hiaasen...He shows a high talent for farce and a way with comic detail' Guardian 17/5/03 -- Guardian 20030517 'He's funny, has a nose for the popular, writes with wit and ease' Mirror 5/4/03 -- Mirror 20030405


Mirror, April 5, 2003

‘He’s funny, has a nose for the popular, writes with wit and ease’ --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe the hype, 19 Dec 2004
This review is from: Chapter and Verse (Paperback)
The subject matter of Chapter and Verse takes a look at how anything can get published so long as the author's name is big enough or there's enough hype surrounding them. Perhaps Bateman set out to prove his point on a number of levels, because Chapter and Verse is dire. It's the type of book you would suspect a first-time writer would even have trouble finding an agent for, let alone getting published. It's full of corny jokes and the plot is just silly. Plus Ivan, the central character, has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. He starts off as seeming a little misguided but pleasant enough but then degenerates into an obnoxious, selfish and woefully introspective individual - so much so that the reader wonders how anyone could fall in love with him (far less battle to keep him, as happens here). As for Ivan's attitude to the death of someone close to him, it finally renders the character as totally false and thoroughly horrid. Although Bateman makes a few lame attempts to paint Ivan as a lost, confused person these unfortunately fail due to the sheer weight of the character's other vices. On the other hand, Bateman makes a strong point about the state of British publishing, and should quite clearly count himself lucky that he's reached a stage where his name alone can guarantee sales.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars A bit too Bateman-like, 5 Jun 2004
This review is from: Chapter and Verse (Hardcover)
It is true that when you get acquainted with Colin Bateman's novels, you just cannot stop reading them. His writing is just "ulsterly" funny, even for a Frenchman like me. I really like the sarky tone of his main characters but also their mediocrity in a Northern Irish scenery described with wit and humour.

"Chapter and Verse" is the latest Bateman's book I've read and I must say I've been somewhat disappointed. You find exactly the same ingredients that made the success of the others ("Alcohol and cigarettes" as someone said here); it _is_ funny and pretty enjoyable... But that's also the problem: exactly the same ingredients. It is too much Bateman-like and many of the situations feel like a frustrating "déjà-vu." It's not funny any more when you already guess what's going to happen in the next chapters (or verses, you're right). More than once, I dropped the book with exasperation, thinking "I see you comin', Colin." Ivan Connor is the typical batemian hero, a bit of a loser, likes his drink and cigarettes, struggles with ladies and brushes embarrassing situations aside with (sometimes bad) jokes. It should remind you of previous books if you have read any...

That being said, it won't prevent me from reading other books by him, that's for sure. I still remember with great pleasure all the laughter I had reading Starkey's adventures ("Divorcing Jack", "Turbulent Priests", etc.). And so must my neighbours as well...

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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Cigarettes & Alcohol, 20 Aug 2003
This review is from: Chapter and Verse (Hardcover)
Colin Bateman is without doubt the best writer of black comedy ever. Please go and get all of his books, some cigarettes, a large bottle of whiskey and take a week off work - it will be the best holiday you have ever had!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars At least as good as the others...
I'm not sure why this has received a couple of negative reviews. I have pretty much read all of Colin Bateman's novels and this is on a par with the best of them. Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2006 by C. J. Holbrooke

4.0 out of 5 stars colin bateman changed my life
"Cycle of Violence" was my first bateman book. It was given to me by Paul, my housemate. I'd just broken up with my girlfriend, so i guess he was trying to cheer me up... Read more
Published on 20 May 2004 by bigbadbob

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
After reading 2 of Batemans other books (Cycle of Violence & Mohammad Maquire), Chapter and Verse was a bit different from what I expected it to be (in a god way of course). Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2003 by David Dempsey

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Read one? You will read them all!!'
I first read a Colin Bateman book by chance. I purchased Shooting Sean to pass the time on a train journey and from the first page I was laughing out loud!! Read more
Published on 30 May 2003 by Darren Ali

5.0 out of 5 stars I Wept with Laughter
You could hear me up and down the block when this book came in the post. “The new Colin Bateman is here! The new Colin Bateman is here! Read more
Published on 13 April 2003 by Jennifer Jordan

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