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The Understudy (Hardcover)

by David Nicholls (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Villard Books (6 Sep 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1400061822
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400061822
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Product Description

Review

Praise for David Nicholls: "A comic genius" - Maria Beaumont 20050211 'I adored "The Understudy". It's a fantastic comedy ... delightfully written and makes you realise that even though some people are always cast as second best, that doesn't mean they're never winners.' -- New Woman 20050401 'A comic genius' -- Maria Beaumont on David Nicholls 20050401 'Brilliant... we would recommend it to anyone' -- Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on STARTER FOR T 20050401 'I laughed a lot' -- Jeremy Paxman on STARTER FOR TEN 20050401 'Moving, wickedly observed, warm, uplifting and above all blindingly funny, Starter for Ten hits the spot time after time. Read this book' -- Jack on STARTER FOR TEN 20050401 'A zippy comedy with laugh-out-loud lines, grounded on a solid plot and first-rate dialogue...irresistible' -- Daily Mail 20050408 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Independent

'Nicholls' portrayal of student affectations is accurate and funny ... clever and well-written' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This man is a comic writer to treasure, 11 Jun 2005
This review is from: The Understudy (Hardcover)
I am a sucker for a good modern, intelligent, well-written comedy. And I use the word 'sucker' advisedly because I have been let down by so many blurbs on the back of books which promise all of the above as well as the ubiquitous 'laugh out loud' lie. Well I can genuinely say David Nicholls is in danger of making the phrase 'laugh out loud' credible again.
I loved his first book - Starter for Ten - about one student's burning quest to get on University Challenge and I feared he could not match that with this, his second novel. But he has - big style.
This is another excellent, stylish modern day comedy which 'stars' a young, desperate-for-success jobbing actor whose only real claim to fame is his name - Steve McQueen. That, however, seems the only way he will ever sees 'his' name in lights as he spends his days as an understudy for a God-like West End actor and fills in with excruciating bit-parts in children's videos and even as a 'what's my motivation' dead person in a TV murder plot.
This is a lovely book which seems very knowing about the 'luvvy' acting world without ever patronising it and is full of great characters and genuinely funny set-pieces. And for once this is a comedy book that does exactly what it says on the tin - it is witty, warm and very, very readable. David Nicholls is a writer to cherish. Already.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Three and a half stars is probably about right..., 21 July 2006
This review is from: The Understudy (Paperback)
...but I'll be generous, as this is a very likeable book which both I and my wife enjoyed - indeed, I stayed up late last night to finish it, which must be a good sign.

And yet, I can see why people have been a bit grudging in their praise. It doesn't quite fully satisfy somehow - possibly it could do with editing down a little, and the ending isn't as clear-cut as you might like. The whole thing feels a little out of focus, and doesn't make the most of the situations and characters that are created.

But there is a lot more good stuff than bad, and it's very well-written. I think what chiefly drew me back each night is the central character and the pleasant, sincere, knowing authorial voice that Mr Nicholls creates for him... and a sneaking empathy for the fear of never quite "making it" that all of us late thirty-something males have.

Buy it, because it's still better than 90% of the other "light entertainment" books out there.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, 24 Jun 2005
By KateP (Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Understudy (Hardcover)
This is my first Amazon review - I just had to write it as this book is just so brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed Starter for Ten, Nicholls' previous book, but this was even better.
The original plot is a page turner, and it is genuinely laugh out loud funny. I have never read a book described as "laugh out loud funny" and actually laughed out loud - until this one. Some of his descriptions of the characters are wonderful. He mentions little mannerisms which just sum them up so completely.
This is a wonderful light read. Buy it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing. Lacking in sparkle or depth
The main character of "The Understudy" constantly compares real life to movies. If I were to do the same then if "One Day" (also by the author) is an epic powerhouse of a film,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. Whelerton

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read!
This is a fantastic book. The third one I have read by David Nicholls now, and everyone of them was brilliant. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. N. R. Meadows

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorry.....but, awful!!
I bought this book shortly after publication and after being very impressed with 'Starter For Ten'. In my opinion, this book is the opposite end of the universe to SFT. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dr. Mabuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Mad, Bad and Cracking to read
It's always difficult reviewing a book which lists all of the critics positive reviews on the jacket, but here goes. Read more
Published 9 months ago by TheGerbilTamer

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
As a big fan of the film Starter for 10, I then decided to read the book which I also loved. After reading that I decided to move on to David nicholls and stumbled across this... Read more
Published 14 months ago by T. Perry

4.0 out of 5 stars If you liked "Starter For Ten" you'll like this
If you enjoyed "Starter For Ten", like I did, then you'll enjoy this. Although the main characters are all in their late 20s and early 30s, unlike "Starter For Ten"'s university... Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2008 by Mr. Stuart Bruce

1.0 out of 5 stars Reading 'The Understudy' was like pulling teeth.
I was not impressed with even the slightest attempt of wit that was emphasised. Had no sympathy for the protagonist and the ending just angered me and was contradictory to the... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2007 by Tweetflex

2.0 out of 5 stars A piece of fluff
If you liked Nicholls's previous book, Starter for Ten, then... you probably won't like this very much. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2007 by International Cowgirl

2.0 out of 5 stars Lacking the magic of SFT
I brought this book after reading SFT because I was looking for another fix of David Nicholls high quality writing. Read more
Published on 20 April 2007 by princess_giggles

5.0 out of 5 stars My review on The Understudy
The Understudy by David Nicholls is an enjoyable and fascinating novel to read. What really appeals to me about this particular novel? Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2007 by P. DATTA

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