Scan barcode
A review by arirang
Francis Plug: Writer in Residence by Paul Ewen
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/