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"MAD...BUT FUNNY." - Time Out
MENTIONED IN PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK LISTS 2017
"Samuel sat on the toilet and began interviewing himself." A teenage boy is in love with a girl and the radio. Set in England during the 1990s, the novel tells a story about dealing with adolescence and life, including the 'lunatic fringe' and 'lonely, upset, frightened and confused people' who call up radio stations around the country.
The calls detailed in the novel are based on real calls to radio stations the author heard.
MENTIONED IN PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK LISTS 2017
"Samuel sat on the toilet and began interviewing himself." A teenage boy is in love with a girl and the radio. Set in England during the 1990s, the novel tells a story about dealing with adolescence and life, including the 'lunatic fringe' and 'lonely, upset, frightened and confused people' who call up radio stations around the country.
The calls detailed in the novel are based on real calls to radio stations the author heard.
270 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2017
16 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Allen
1Ìýbook5ÌýfollowersChristopher Allen is a writer from England. After studying English Language & Literature at university, he moved to China. He resides in Beijing.
Agent contact:
[email protected]
Agent contact:
[email protected]
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 13, 2017
An extremely funny and entertaining read! It made me want to call up a radio station for an argument. I loved the protagonist's imaginary TV chat show interviews on the toilet. And his dad who tells him not to worry about having muscles, you can order them by post.
It brought back memories of first loves and trying to fit in a school. It also recalled how yes, as a teenager, between childhood and fully grown adult, being introduced to the themes of Shakespeare (particularly the sexual ones) can be confusing, yet offer some sort of clarification. It's okay to have these lustful thoughts and natural urges.
Recommended to all!
It brought back memories of first loves and trying to fit in a school. It also recalled how yes, as a teenager, between childhood and fully grown adult, being introduced to the themes of Shakespeare (particularly the sexual ones) can be confusing, yet offer some sort of clarification. It's okay to have these lustful thoughts and natural urges.
Recommended to all!
June 20, 2017
I tried my best to make a note of the memorable quotes in this book, especially the ones that made me laugh out loud. One delightful chapter explained how the protagonist ended up pulling a carrot out of his bag during class at school, another about his father explaining how muscles could be sent in the post, the idea of Stalin presenting a drive-time radio show, the English teacher who praises a student's poem entitled 'Ass-crack'...it goes on.
But it was the radio transcripts that were really worth reading this book for. A real insight into the psyche of the average listener, venting on the radio. The analogy with today's 'trolling' via the internet is very profound.
Anyone who had an infatuation with somebody at school will enjoy this.
But it was the radio transcripts that were really worth reading this book for. A real insight into the psyche of the average listener, venting on the radio. The analogy with today's 'trolling' via the internet is very profound.
Anyone who had an infatuation with somebody at school will enjoy this.
April 6, 2017
Funniest book I’ve read in ages.
If you’ve ever listened to talk radio, you’ll love this. I used to listen to the radio during the night and heard some bizarre callers. The novel provides genuine transcripts of late-night radio and an insight into what makes ‘callers� different from ‘listeners�.
The protagonist tries to get into hospital radio and there’s a very funny part about how playing REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts� is a crime.
Not too long either and great prose.
If you’ve ever listened to talk radio, you’ll love this. I used to listen to the radio during the night and heard some bizarre callers. The novel provides genuine transcripts of late-night radio and an insight into what makes ‘callers� different from ‘listeners�.
The protagonist tries to get into hospital radio and there’s a very funny part about how playing REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts� is a crime.
Not too long either and great prose.
March 30, 2017
This book was recommended on a reading forum under the thread, 'funniest books ever'. It is said an opening line is crucial. This one has that:
“Samuel sat on the toilet and began interviewing himself.�
The book will take one back to high school, first crushes and problems of loneliness and adolescence. It is laugh out funny and at times quite sad. It reminded me of Saul Bellow and at times Samuel Beckett (I wondered if the protagonist was named after him).
It also gives you an insight into the differences between people who LISTEN to the radio, and those who CALL the radio.
One of the few times I wanted to write a review, because I was impressed so much.
“Samuel sat on the toilet and began interviewing himself.�
The book will take one back to high school, first crushes and problems of loneliness and adolescence. It is laugh out funny and at times quite sad. It reminded me of Saul Bellow and at times Samuel Beckett (I wondered if the protagonist was named after him).
It also gives you an insight into the differences between people who LISTEN to the radio, and those who CALL the radio.
One of the few times I wanted to write a review, because I was impressed so much.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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