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fateleanor's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
4.0
A page turner which was surprising to me as it was focused on golf. An interesting idea about a man who has an accident and then develops an amazing talent for golf at the same time is developing Tourette’s syndrome
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
For a book billed as "humour" it's not very humorous and I found the lovable loser lead character far from lovable. On the positive side, it's well written and the plot, despite being unoriginal, is actually pretty enjoyable.
Anyway, 2.3 stars rounded up cos it was such an easy read.
Anyway, 2.3 stars rounded up cos it was such an easy read.
scottiesandbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!!!!
“”Worried about your brother, so ah am.” (An interesting aspect of the type of deep Ayrshirese Cathy spoke: the double qualification, following the proclamation you have just made with an additional affirmative.”
Firstly I’ll start by saying this book ticks the box for offensive all over the shop. It’s meant for a certain type of reader; so if that’s not you then definitely don’t waste your money. It’s not necessarily aged well especially with the language used. Casual racism, homophobia, use of certain words to refer to disabled people, demeaning phrases to women and lots of chat around mens genitalia of course….. and then the fact it’s a book about golf the worst sport in the world…..
And I do not excuse any of the above…..
There was just something about it that was gripping! Taking away the use of the outdated, slightly racist and homophobic toxic masculine language this story would still hold up and still be utterly hilarious and clever (in fact it would 100% have been a five star if all this was removed). Think Scottish Ayrshire Happy Gilmore with gang violence, drugs and just good old working class drama.
Let me be quite Frank that this is a book of horrid people (well… except wee Cathy she’s salt of the earth so she is) and I couldn’t help but read on about each and every one of them. It’s total stereotypical Ayrshire full of wee bams and dafties galore. Being from there myself I can pinpoint exactly who these people represent from my own town. And actually including horrid language it’s them down to a T!
And as much as I shook my head and rolled my eyes at more than a few bits; I also laughed and laughed and laughed. Taking me back to the days of Chewing The Fat and just daft Scottish humour.
As for the golf…. I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a game in my puff! It was gripping and clever and added a different dimension to the book that I haven’t seen from many. It made me appreciate how someone might love the game where I hate it; without being overly golf tastic!
Hang on… do I like golf now?
“”Worried about your brother, so ah am.” (An interesting aspect of the type of deep Ayrshirese Cathy spoke: the double qualification, following the proclamation you have just made with an additional affirmative.”
Firstly I’ll start by saying this book ticks the box for offensive all over the shop. It’s meant for a certain type of reader; so if that’s not you then definitely don’t waste your money. It’s not necessarily aged well especially with the language used. Casual racism, homophobia, use of certain words to refer to disabled people, demeaning phrases to women and lots of chat around mens genitalia of course….. and then the fact it’s a book about golf the worst sport in the world…..
And I do not excuse any of the above…..
There was just something about it that was gripping! Taking away the use of the outdated, slightly racist and homophobic toxic masculine language this story would still hold up and still be utterly hilarious and clever (in fact it would 100% have been a five star if all this was removed). Think Scottish Ayrshire Happy Gilmore with gang violence, drugs and just good old working class drama.
Let me be quite Frank that this is a book of horrid people (well… except wee Cathy she’s salt of the earth so she is) and I couldn’t help but read on about each and every one of them. It’s total stereotypical Ayrshire full of wee bams and dafties galore. Being from there myself I can pinpoint exactly who these people represent from my own town. And actually including horrid language it’s them down to a T!
And as much as I shook my head and rolled my eyes at more than a few bits; I also laughed and laughed and laughed. Taking me back to the days of Chewing The Fat and just daft Scottish humour.
As for the golf…. I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a game in my puff! It was gripping and clever and added a different dimension to the book that I haven’t seen from many. It made me appreciate how someone might love the game where I hate it; without being overly golf tastic!
Hang on… do I like golf now?
amymacpherson321's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
natashasf1's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vanessalovesbooks's review against another edition
Vielleicht können nur Golfer, die wissen, wie nahe Ekstase und Verzweiflung auf dem Golfplatz liegen, die Leiden des Helden nachvollziehen. Punkten kann Nivens Sportroman auf jeden Fall mit einer Menge britischem Humor. Jedoch sind Grundkenntnisse der Golfregeln- und begriffe sehr von Vorteil.
indiepauli47's review against another edition
4.0
Well, that was different.
I really had great time reading it, it was fun, light and dark at the same time, and great Scottish humour ! I laughed quite a few times out loud, which doesn't occur often.
And the good new is, you don't have to be interested in golf to actually enjoy this book ! I know barely nothing on the subject, but still managed to understand (almost) eveything, and was all tensed up during the Open Championship.
A great read !
I really had great time reading it, it was fun, light and dark at the same time, and great Scottish humour ! I laughed quite a few times out loud, which doesn't occur often.
And the good new is, you don't have to be interested in golf to actually enjoy this book ! I know barely nothing on the subject, but still managed to understand (almost) eveything, and was all tensed up during the Open Championship.
A great read !
vanessalovesbooks's review
Vielleicht können nur Golfer, die wissen, wie nahe Ekstase und Verzweiflung auf dem Golfplatz liegen, die Leiden des Helden nachvollziehen. Punkten kann Nivens Sportroman auf jeden Fall mit einer Menge britischem Humor. Jedoch sind Grundkenntnisse der Golfregeln- und begriffe sehr von Vorteil.
lubinka's review
3.0
3,5 stars. And that's because of the narrator. I don't mind swearing, but when your protagonist has a head injury and only manages to utter a meaningful word or two between all the cursing, OK, it gets boring. I'll give the author another chance, though. I still hope to find the lol passages I've been hearing so much about.
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