First published in 1980, two years after The Snowman, Gentleman Jim has been unavailable for many years. We are delighted to bring it back into print as the first book in an occasional series, Cape Graphic Classics.

Gentleman Jim is the story of Jim Bloggs, a lavatory attendant who, dissatisfied with his station in life, devotes his time to envisioning a world beyond it. His walls are lined with books like Out in the Silver West, the Boys' Book of Pirates and Executive Opportunities, which provide fodder for his ruminations on career change. Encouraged by his wife, Hilda, also eager to incorporate more adventure into her life, Jim sets out to bring these dreams to fruition by accumulating various accoutrements, only to discover that the life of an executive, an artist or a cowboy is more complicated and costly than it appears.

Gentleman Jim

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Product details

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Jonathan Cape; 01 edition (7 Aug. 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0224085247
ISBN-13: 978-0224085243
Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 1 x 23.2 cm
Average Customer Review: 16 customer reviews
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 421,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4474 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Hamlyn
- #4568 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Fantagraphics
- #4766 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Titan Books

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Product description

Review

`Briggs is not only very much alive; he's also more alive to the world than any other old git...'
-- The Observer, Rachel Cooke

`Briggs's manipulation of the impact of bureaucracy on the innocent is both hilarious and Kafka-esque...' -- Sunday Express

Book Description

A British graphic classic

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

5 star		11
4 star		4
3 star		1
2 star		0
1 star		0

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Top customer reviews

A Neglected Raymond Briggs Classic

ByA. Foxleyon 2 June 2010

Format: Hardcover

I stumbled across this after hearing a Radio 4 adaptation - and to my delight, the book is even better. A daydreaming lavatory attendant dreams of a more exciting life for himself and his wife, but without 'the Levels', as he calls them, he struggles to break free of his rather mundane existence. Heartwarming and sad in equal measure, this is Briggs at his very best. Jim is one of his most engaging characters - not especially bright, and with only a limited understanding of the world around him, but a romantic idealist who means well despite his behaviour. A brilliant picture book for adults, in the same vein as 'Ethel and Ernest' and 'When the Wind Blows'.

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Gentleman Briggs!

ByMr. Matthew Munroeon 18 May 2007

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I have a feeling I read this as a child, at some stage, and can remember it being a great read. Sometime last year I had the urge to read it again, and I wasn't wrong first time round!

It's only a simple book but you can't beat Raymond Briggs's illustrations and imagination. There is something very unique about his style and the book itself. If you, or your children, have seen or, ideally, read the Snowman than I can pretty much garuntee you will like this book.

Now, I admit, it is a little sad towards the end and I can honestly say I've never felt truely sorry for a character in a book, apart from Jim. He tries so hard to make things good, is intentions are top notch but he isn't that bright has a few problems getting exactly what he wants.

A great and inticing read!!

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A good example of Raynond Briggs' writing

ByAODon 1 February 2009

Format: Hardcover

Gentleman Jim
A simple story about a simple man - touching, as with others of Raymond Briggs' stories e.g. the film "When the Wind Blows" AOD

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Jim

Bynadon 30 January 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I'm a big Raymond Briggs fan love his art work and the story, so slowing getting all his books togeather for my grandchildren.

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Classic Briggs

ByA Hugheson 4 February 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A beautiful and simply told story, which in true Briggs fashion has humour and poignancy in equal measure. I loved Jim!

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Thumbs Up!

By365 Graphic Novelson 27 March 2014

Format: Hardcover

This concerns Jim Bloggs an aging lavatory attendant who dreams of being something else. His Walter Mitty daydreams become increasingly elaborate until one day he decides to become a highwayman.
This is an early Briggs story and can come across as a little unfocused. There is a strong message about the helplessness of the Everyman, and the rise of bureaucracy and those petty individuals that enforce it. The ending is also eyebrow raising compared to many of Briggs’ other works.
The art is a lot richer and more vibrant than many of his more pastel works. The daydreams that spread right across the page are superb showcasing what he is capable of when let out from the customary tiny panel. The authority figures that thwart him are all caricatures in both speech and depiction. The traffic warden is a wonderfully stylised Hitler.
An unusual read in that Jim may exasperate you as much as draw your sympathy. But he and Hilda go on to star in When the Wind Blows and that was magnificent.
Thumbs Up!

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Five Stars

Bylucyon 26 March 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Raymond Briggs never fails me but this is just lovely

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Five Stars

ByB. Goodwinon 14 October 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I love Raymond Briggs books and this is no exception

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Gentleman Jim Hardcover – 7 Aug 2008

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