Scan barcode
akbhatia's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The book starts out really funny and the character is quite different. Then it gets a bit stuck in a rut and never really recovers. Might be on purpose to drive home a point about alcoholism? Difficult to finish but well-written.
arirang's review
2.0
It's interesting how some people find something funny, while others won't find it funny at all. My last book is a good case in point.
Paul Ewen's creation, Francis Plug, the Dennis Pennis of the literary world is back.
Mirroring Paul Ewen's own publication of his first novel,
Francis Plug: How To Be A Public Author , his subsequent appearance on BBC Front Row (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04mctw1) and his appointment as writer in residence at the University of Greenwich (http://www.newzealandtimes.co.uk/francis-plug-author-and-kiwi-paul-ewen-joins-university-of-greenwich-as-writer-in-residence), the fictional Plug follows the same path, albeit with far more alcohol and chaos, and even more alcohol.
In place of the survey of all the 'rude' bits of Booker novels from the first volume, this second offers an impressive and comprehensive survey of the campus novel, although the interactions with authors at public readings are a little more limited.
The action instead focuses more on Plug's time at the University, where he takes his 'in residence' part rather literally by, unbeknownst to the University authorities, moving out of the garage where he previously lived and in to a spare office, and generally causes - yes - alcohol-fuelled chaos to the despair of the Director of the Creative Writing programme, the real-life fellow Galley Beggar author Dr Alex Pheby (whose Lucia is one of my books of 2018).
Between repeated tales of drunken exploits and one-sided conversations with bemused interlocutors, the novel does have some serious points to make about the commercialisation of literature, even of creative writing courses, including the fact that most sponsorship pours into funding lavish dinners for events such as the Booker Prize ceremony, while around the country libraries close. And how at book festivals, the authors are much easier to please and less trouble than their publicists.
And there are some great descriptions of Greenwich and the University, and indeed (my favourite part of the novel) of the world's most famous, and in my experience best, bookshop Shakespeare and Co in Paris, where Ewen (in real-life) and Plug (fictionally) each give a reading, as well as enjoying the intended 'in residence' experience that Shakespeare & Co uniquely offers to writers.
But ultimately the success or otherwise of the novel depends if one appreciates the humour, particularly as the same Plug-drinks-too-much-and-disgraces-himself scene is repeated many times over what is a 400+ page novel.
This Q&A from the Bookblast website (https://bookblast.com/blog/interview-paul-ewen-author/) gives a good idea of what to expect:
Q: Who were early formative influences as a writer?
A: Spike Milligan’s story Badjelly the Witch was a big early influence. It was very funny, and also a bit naughty because Badjelly would say “Knickers, knickers, stinky-poo, stinky-poo!” And she’d try to poke God’s eyes out.
And as the opening quote suggests Plug Volume 1 split opinion, this novel even quoting some of the less favourable reviews, although thankfully not my own (see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2050212379?). Because unfortunately I was in the 'won't find it funny at all' camp with the first book and the second raised the sum total of one laugh and a small smile.
But for those who love Plug/Ewen's humour, there will be a lot to like. And plenty do - I would point people to the favourable reviews in:
The Guardian "Another hilarious satire of the precarious writing life":
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/27/francis-plug-writer-residence-paul-ewen-review
The Spectator "Francis Plug is the saviour of comic fiction"
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/09/paul-ewens-francis-plug-is-the-saviour-of-comic-fiction/
The excellent Follow the Hens Blog from my fellow 2018 Republic of Consciousness judge Jackie Law: "Francis Plug may be a socially inept alcoholic, one you may hope never to encounter beyond the page, but his salient thoughts, poignant musings and indecorous behaviour deliver a comedic triumph."
https://neverimitate.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/book-review-francis-plug-writer-in-residence/
Paul Ewen's creation, Francis Plug, the Dennis Pennis of the literary world is back.
Mirroring Paul Ewen's own publication of his first novel,
Francis Plug: How To Be A Public Author , his subsequent appearance on BBC Front Row (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04mctw1) and his appointment as writer in residence at the University of Greenwich (http://www.newzealandtimes.co.uk/francis-plug-author-and-kiwi-paul-ewen-joins-university-of-greenwich-as-writer-in-residence), the fictional Plug follows the same path, albeit with far more alcohol and chaos, and even more alcohol.
In place of the survey of all the 'rude' bits of Booker novels from the first volume, this second offers an impressive and comprehensive survey of the campus novel, although the interactions with authors at public readings are a little more limited.
The action instead focuses more on Plug's time at the University, where he takes his 'in residence' part rather literally by, unbeknownst to the University authorities, moving out of the garage where he previously lived and in to a spare office, and generally causes - yes - alcohol-fuelled chaos to the despair of the Director of the Creative Writing programme, the real-life fellow Galley Beggar author Dr Alex Pheby (whose Lucia is one of my books of 2018).
Between repeated tales of drunken exploits and one-sided conversations with bemused interlocutors, the novel does have some serious points to make about the commercialisation of literature, even of creative writing courses, including the fact that most sponsorship pours into funding lavish dinners for events such as the Booker Prize ceremony, while around the country libraries close. And how at book festivals, the authors are much easier to please and less trouble than their publicists.
And there are some great descriptions of Greenwich and the University, and indeed (my favourite part of the novel) of the world's most famous, and in my experience best, bookshop Shakespeare and Co in Paris, where Ewen (in real-life) and Plug (fictionally) each give a reading, as well as enjoying the intended 'in residence' experience that Shakespeare & Co uniquely offers to writers.
But ultimately the success or otherwise of the novel depends if one appreciates the humour, particularly as the same Plug-drinks-too-much-and-disgraces-himself scene is repeated many times over what is a 400+ page novel.
This Q&A from the Bookblast website (https://bookblast.com/blog/interview-paul-ewen-author/) gives a good idea of what to expect:
Q: Who were early formative influences as a writer?
A: Spike Milligan’s story Badjelly the Witch was a big early influence. It was very funny, and also a bit naughty because Badjelly would say “Knickers, knickers, stinky-poo, stinky-poo!” And she’d try to poke God’s eyes out.
And as the opening quote suggests Plug Volume 1 split opinion, this novel even quoting some of the less favourable reviews, although thankfully not my own (see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2050212379?). Because unfortunately I was in the 'won't find it funny at all' camp with the first book and the second raised the sum total of one laugh and a small smile.
But for those who love Plug/Ewen's humour, there will be a lot to like. And plenty do - I would point people to the favourable reviews in:
The Guardian "Another hilarious satire of the precarious writing life":
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/27/francis-plug-writer-residence-paul-ewen-review
The Spectator "Francis Plug is the saviour of comic fiction"
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/09/paul-ewens-francis-plug-is-the-saviour-of-comic-fiction/
The excellent Follow the Hens Blog from my fellow 2018 Republic of Consciousness judge Jackie Law: "Francis Plug may be a socially inept alcoholic, one you may hope never to encounter beyond the page, but his salient thoughts, poignant musings and indecorous behaviour deliver a comedic triumph."
https://neverimitate.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/book-review-francis-plug-writer-in-residence/
jackielaw's review
5.0
Francis Plug: Writer in Residence, by Paul Ewen, is the follow up to the author’s remarkable debut. How To Be A Public Author introduced the unsuspecting world to the inimitable Francis Plug during the period when he was conducting booze fuelled research for his Booker Prize winning novel. In a travesty of justice that first book was not awarded the prize. It did, however, lead to Francis Plug (and in real life, Paul Ewen) being offered the post of Writer in Residence at Greenwich University.
Francis takes the job title literally and moves into an empty office on campus with his camp bed. The Christopher Wren designed surroundings prove more comfortable than the rat infested garage in West Hampstead where he had previously laid his inebriated head. It also saves on travel costs, an important consideration since he lost his gardening equipment and thereby any means to earn an alternative living.
Francis’s immediate superior in the Creative Writing Department that now employs him is Dr Alex Pheby. Dr Alex is organising The Greenwich Book Festival and asks Francis if he could use his connections to persuade other authors to participate. Francis regularly meets the big hitters of the literary world, usually at their events where he enjoys the free drinks. He sets about fulfilling his appointed task with gusto. Despite many drinks being consumed the authors do not appear amenable to Francis’s mostly incoherent invitations.
As Writer in Residence, Francis is expected to write his next book while in residence. The office environment suits him best when it is empty of colleagues – when, for example, he may race up and down the corridor on his office chair. For actual writing he works best in a pub, preferably one in a backstreet location not frequented by students or charging tourist prices. He locates several local establishments that suit his needs before being barred due to drunken infractions that upset other regulars.
Francis intends to write a campus novel (which will include the blowing up of a neighbouring power station) so sets about reading other author’s previously published works on this theme and attending their events. As a published author he must also appear before the public, the prospect of which requires a great deal of lubrication. He travels to Paris for an event at Shakespeare and Company, staying in their writers’ accommodation. He participates in the book festival despite complaints about his behaviour.
Francis may have written a helpful book on how to be a public author but performing in public is not an activity he is comfortable with. Neither is teaching students, although he makes an impression. Even when schmoozing with the literati at exclusive events his publishers, Sam and Elly, grant him access to he struggles to make appropriate conversation. When he is recognised it is not for lauded authorial achievements.
This book is best read in chunks rather than in a sitting to fully appreciate the wit and wisdom. The antics, conversations and observations are laugh out loud funny while also being percipient. The inclusion of real people and events, some of whom I have met, adds to the entertainment. I hope that those name checked are happy with their depictions.
If you read books, attend author events, have any interest in the literary world, then this novel is for you and comes highly recommended. Francis Plug may be a socially inept alcoholic, one you may hope never to encounter beyond the page, but his salient thoughts, poignant musings and indecorous behaviour deliver a comedic triumph.
Francis takes the job title literally and moves into an empty office on campus with his camp bed. The Christopher Wren designed surroundings prove more comfortable than the rat infested garage in West Hampstead where he had previously laid his inebriated head. It also saves on travel costs, an important consideration since he lost his gardening equipment and thereby any means to earn an alternative living.
Francis’s immediate superior in the Creative Writing Department that now employs him is Dr Alex Pheby. Dr Alex is organising The Greenwich Book Festival and asks Francis if he could use his connections to persuade other authors to participate. Francis regularly meets the big hitters of the literary world, usually at their events where he enjoys the free drinks. He sets about fulfilling his appointed task with gusto. Despite many drinks being consumed the authors do not appear amenable to Francis’s mostly incoherent invitations.
As Writer in Residence, Francis is expected to write his next book while in residence. The office environment suits him best when it is empty of colleagues – when, for example, he may race up and down the corridor on his office chair. For actual writing he works best in a pub, preferably one in a backstreet location not frequented by students or charging tourist prices. He locates several local establishments that suit his needs before being barred due to drunken infractions that upset other regulars.
Francis intends to write a campus novel (which will include the blowing up of a neighbouring power station) so sets about reading other author’s previously published works on this theme and attending their events. As a published author he must also appear before the public, the prospect of which requires a great deal of lubrication. He travels to Paris for an event at Shakespeare and Company, staying in their writers’ accommodation. He participates in the book festival despite complaints about his behaviour.
Francis may have written a helpful book on how to be a public author but performing in public is not an activity he is comfortable with. Neither is teaching students, although he makes an impression. Even when schmoozing with the literati at exclusive events his publishers, Sam and Elly, grant him access to he struggles to make appropriate conversation. When he is recognised it is not for lauded authorial achievements.
This book is best read in chunks rather than in a sitting to fully appreciate the wit and wisdom. The antics, conversations and observations are laugh out loud funny while also being percipient. The inclusion of real people and events, some of whom I have met, adds to the entertainment. I hope that those name checked are happy with their depictions.
If you read books, attend author events, have any interest in the literary world, then this novel is for you and comes highly recommended. Francis Plug may be a socially inept alcoholic, one you may hope never to encounter beyond the page, but his salient thoughts, poignant musings and indecorous behaviour deliver a comedic triumph.
More...