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The Lodger
 
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The Lodger (Paperback)

by Drew Gummerson (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 260 pages
  • Publisher: Millivres-Prowler Group Ltd (22 Jul 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1902852400
  • ISBN-13: 978-1902852409
  • Product Dimensions: 20.5 x 12.9 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 840,918 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

With his first novel The Lodger, Drew Gummerson accomplishes something that is rarely seen in modern gay fiction; a well rounded story with believable characters and a plot that is not punctuated by long, detailed sex sessions.

His story centres around Honza, a struggling gay freelance writer who reluctantly takes on a lodger to help him pay his bills. Enter Andy, a beer-swilling, couch-dwelling slob who couldn't be more different to Andy if he tried. They're not perfect flatmates but a mutual respect and friendship is born between Andy and Honza; a bond that is tested to its limits when Andy drunkenly confesses to murder. What could have descended into a 'cuckoo in the nest' drama actually plays out a whole lot differently with Andy and Honza attempting to piece together the truth about what Andy actually did and it's here that the novel is most effective. Gummerson clearly realises that the key to a novel is conflict and it is this that keeps the relationship of the two leads interesting and the action moving along nicely. Gummerson also doesn't desert his supporting cast or the sub-plots, all of which work together to propel the main storyline, rather than hinder it. As a first novel, it is still a little rough around the edges and the narrative could have done ideally with a couple more polishes, but these are minor quibbles about what is otherwise a first rate and rather original thriller. Gummerson knows how to tell a tale and if he can keep up this quality, he's certainly going to be a big new name in gay fiction.--Jonathan Weir



Synopsis

Honza takes in a lodger, Andy, who seems like his opposite - a coarse straight guy who comes home drunk every night to fart happily in front of the TV. But when, in a drunken stupor, Andy confesses to murder, Honza refuses to believe him. Then one weekend Andy disappears, only to return with his face rearranged. This black comedy of misunderstandings is a deft debut from Drew Gummerson.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Truly good read, 1 Oct 2002
By Mr M G Latus (Grimsby, N E Lincs United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
I read this book over only three days, fitting it in arround the rest of my busy life. However it dominated those three days. This is a truly excellent first novel free of most of the overdone cliches of modern gay life and culture. It is a believable story about two peoples' slowly interconnecting lives but set in a world I know. Gay relationships are so often fast and furious and burn out before anything other than lust and infatuation has developed, but this book takes a 'slow burn' approach to the developing friendship which adds a delicious tension which lasts the whole book. The book has pace and the English reflects modern speech without going into the vernacular. I thoroughly recommend this as an inteligent, modern story about friendship that becomes love in a gay context. I loved it and look forward to his next novel.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant debut, 14 Feb 2003
By LK29 (London) - See all my reviews
I chose this book as I saw it had been nominated for a Lambda Award. I wasn't disappointed. This is one of the best gay books I have ever read. It was witty and also thrilling. I liked all the characters in the book and their actions constantly made me laugh out loud. There were lots of twists towards the end of the story. I look forward to this writer's next book.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, 30 April 2003
By A Customer
This is one of the best gay novels I have ever read and I read a lot. It had everything - comedy, action, and was a real page turner. I loved the two main characters, so different and that's where the humour came from. From the first time they met it was laugh a minute - Andy farting in tune, Honza the frustrated novelist. It didn't need the murder plot but it was there anyway. What can I say? Buy this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Page Turner
This is the debut novel from Drew Gummerson and a brilliant one at that. The characters are very believable and warm. Read more
Published 16 months ago by W. Leggate

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge a book by its cover...
You may be forgiven for thinking 'The Lodger' is going to be a murder mystery ending in death and disaster from looking at the cover: well, there is a murder, and yes, there is a... Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Representative
'The Lodger' takes a fairly pedestrian pace, it is not an action packed Ludlum-type yarn by any means, nor is it meant to be. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2003 by Stephen F. Warwick

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
I just wanted to say that I bought this book 2 days ago and have just finished it having not been able to put it down.

It was witty, touching, compelling and realistic. Read more

Published on 17 Oct 2003 by mandy4562

3.0 out of 5 stars Cold wet day or Sunday afternoon read
The first book by Drew Gummerson, The Lodger, makes for an ok read on a cold wet miserable day or a quiet Sunday afternoon. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately disappointing
If you like predictable, slow paced cliché riddled gay literature then this is the book for you. If not then save your time and money. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2003 by rp69

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant First attempt. You cannot put down!
Honza the Hero of this Book is a Writer and is having difficulty managing his finances. He is Gay and writes for Gay Magazines. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars When is a lodger not a Lodger?
This is a fantastic debut & it makes a refreshing change to find a book of this genre set in England. All the more so, because this particular one is set in my home town! Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2002 by ktderby

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, darkly comic read
Renting out a room can be hell, especially when you're used to living on your own. There's something very threatening about letting a lodger into your private space, never quite... Read more
Published on 30 Jul 2002 by S. Matthewman

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