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leighnonymous's review against another edition
4.0
Just as in his first novel, "The Restraint of Beasts," Magnus Mills creates an unnamed, stoic protagonist of little words. I enjoyed this book very much. The main character's hapless adventures and unlikely falling into a series of jobs and bosses and debts and such, all in a vacation spot in which he was camping, seemed almost normal.
What a strange little town this was, with debts and tabs being accrued and never paid (until the end), a man wearing a crown, a multitude of green paint, and a milkman who meets with an awful fate (but at least escapes driving the ice cream truck to make milk deliveries). Who knew such a town had so much work to do and so little women?
One of my favorite parts was the main character's "social punishment" for not showing up for a darts game, for which he was banished to drink at the pub across the street for two weeks until tempers had cooled.
The ending, as the one in Mills' first novel, left a lot to be resolved, but he seemed to care about the ending as much as his character cared about his life's direction; however, the symbolic ending fit perfectly with the theme of the novel.
What a strange little town this was, with debts and tabs being accrued and never paid (until the end), a man wearing a crown, a multitude of green paint, and a milkman who meets with an awful fate (but at least escapes driving the ice cream truck to make milk deliveries). Who knew such a town had so much work to do and so little women?
One of my favorite parts was the main character's "social punishment" for not showing up for a darts game, for which he was banished to drink at the pub across the street for two weeks until tempers had cooled.
The ending, as the one in Mills' first novel, left a lot to be resolved, but he seemed to care about the ending as much as his character cared about his life's direction; however, the symbolic ending fit perfectly with the theme of the novel.
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book to earn 30(!) points in Semi-Charmed’s Summer Reading Challenge in the category of a book by an author born in my birth year (1954). It was my introduction to Mills.
The protagonist in this work is an itinerant handyman who lands in an Lakes district (England) campground at the end of the tourist season and is engaged by the owner for various odd jobs, most of which seem to involve green paint. As time progresses the jobs do indeed become ‘odd’. The reason for that is eventually revealed, along with an unusual end.
Read this if: you’re a Magnus Mills fan; or you’re in the mood for a literary ‘odd story’. 3½ stars
The protagonist in this work is an itinerant handyman who lands in an Lakes district (England) campground at the end of the tourist season and is engaged by the owner for various odd jobs, most of which seem to involve green paint. As time progresses the jobs do indeed become ‘odd’. The reason for that is eventually revealed, along with an unusual end.
Read this if: you’re a Magnus Mills fan; or you’re in the mood for a literary ‘odd story’. 3½ stars
juliaz's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wilsonthomasjoseph's review
This is supposed to be a nod to Kafka. It is. I get what's it doing, and it's good writing. But the schtick was lost on me. I still want to try out another book of his though.
ern_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Although this basically had no plot, and the review on the back of the book was a bit extreme, the book was alright. I enjoyed it. I liked that we never learn the protagonist's name, making us feel like the outsider he feels like, despite him being part of the darts team and the story from his point of view.
Somehow, Mills has managed to tell a tale of no plot or substance, but still make it quite enjoyable.
Somehow, Mills has managed to tell a tale of no plot or substance, but still make it quite enjoyable.
asbelin's review against another edition
4.0
сначала была скептически настроена, но против моего желания книга затянула и оказалась реально скрытым золотом. по-автофикшеновски медлительная, неспешная, всё происходит в глуши, а вокруг — хтонические мужики и пубертатные девочки из постхорроров. ах как страшно жить (ну и я надеялась что в конце циркулярной пилой кому-нибудь что-нибудь отрубит, но и без этого хорошо)
clarabelle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
oliainchina's review against another edition
5.0
I’m astonished I haven’t heard of Magnus Mills before. He writes in the best traditions of English humour, mixing it with sinister touches of the kafkaesque.
It is one of the novels I discovered while compiling my Yorkshire-The Lakes reading list for our Christmas trip.
The story is set in the Lakes, and deals with a young guy who spends a few weeks camping by the lake, before starting on his trip to India. As all tourists leave, he decides to stay for a few days more. To while away the time he accepts a few odd jobs from the locals that never seem to end.
There is not much happening in the book, but the atmosphere gets darker as the story progresses. There is a lot of English politeness that hides loads of aggression. Simple and clear language only highlights it. The reading became unbearable for me at some point - there was so much exploitation and broken boundaries. In the end, instead of feeling for the main character I started hating him.
I find the book a must for those interested in British literature. And I’m really curious about Mills’ other novels.
It is one of the novels I discovered while compiling my Yorkshire-The Lakes reading list for our Christmas trip.
The story is set in the Lakes, and deals with a young guy who spends a few weeks camping by the lake, before starting on his trip to India. As all tourists leave, he decides to stay for a few days more. To while away the time he accepts a few odd jobs from the locals that never seem to end.
There is not much happening in the book, but the atmosphere gets darker as the story progresses. There is a lot of English politeness that hides loads of aggression. Simple and clear language only highlights it. The reading became unbearable for me at some point - there was so much exploitation and broken boundaries. In the end, instead of feeling for the main character I started hating him.
I find the book a must for those interested in British literature. And I’m really curious about Mills’ other novels.
thebobsphere's review
5.0
A quirky story about a tenant who has weird things happening to him on a daily basis, which seem like nothing but actually are important.
Mills second novel is good, funny and a bit creepy. It's not as good as The Restraint of Beasts but the tension factor in this book is high and makes for a quick light read.
Mills second novel is good, funny and a bit creepy. It's not as good as The Restraint of Beasts but the tension factor in this book is high and makes for a quick light read.
rosseroo's review
4.0
Without a doubt, this is a modern masterpiece. An unnamed narrator on a camping holiday in England's Lake District gets entangled in an extended Kafkaesque morass. What starts as a simple trade of painting a gate in exchange for a week's free camping turns into what looks to be a lifetime in purgatory thanks in great part to the narrator's own weakness of character and the town's perpetual barter economy. One menial job in trade begets another as he gets further and further immersed in the small town's weird male culture (there are only two females in the whole book: the Lolita-like daughter of his boss, and the captain of a darts team from another town). Like many of us, the narrator has grand plans (he's saved up to take a trip on the Orient Express), but falters in the execution. This everyman nature is makes him an extremely appealing and yet frustrating character. It's a deadpan, darkly humorous book, somewhat akin to one the Coen Brothers' films. Just to give a taste: someone drowns in the lake while with the narrator and his boss. Once they realize he's drowned, that's it-there's no more mention made of him, the authorities are never called, etc. Don't even get me started on the groceries. Whether you read this straight, or as some kind of allegorical work, it's enjoyable.