Scan barcode
A review by scottiesandbooks
The Amateurs by John Niven
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 Taking away the use of the outdated, slightly racist and homophobic toxic masculine language this story would still hold up and still be utterly hilarious and clever (in fact it would 100% have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?