Wednesday 2 November 2011

Review - The Spectacular Simon Burchwood by Scott Semegran

The Spectacular Simon BurchwoodThe Spectacular Simon Burchwood by Scott Semegran

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb from Goodreads

Recently divorced and his writing career in shambles, Simon Burchwood's life is a complete disaster. He reluctantly finds work as a computer support technician and resigns that his career as the next great American novelist will never come to fruition. When he learns that his ex-wife abruptly moves to Dallas with his children, he embarks on a crazy road trip with a nerdy coworker and a hitchhiking punk rock girl and discovers the inspiration he desperately needs for his new literary masterpiece. Take another trip with the one and only Simon Burchwood.

My Review

This is my first encounter with Scott Semegran and the second book in the series about Simon Burchwood (although this book can be read as a stand alone which is what I have done). Simon is going through a tough time, working in a job to get by whilst struggling to become Americas next big thing in the author world, his personal life doesn't seem to be able to get any worse. However his ex wife drops a bombshell on him sparking off a roadtrip with an unlikely companion and with life changing consequences.

For the first part of this book I totally loved it and after reading the cat scene (I had tears pouring down my face with laughter), I was set to give a 5 star rating. The author is quite funny and some of the quips are great (although there is a bit of swearing so not for the easily offended!). Simon can be hillarious and great to read about in his recaps and memories. However the massive over use at the end of every handful of sentences of "its true" and the word goddam appearing so many times and in such repartition really did put me off.

The story itself is quite entertaining (and in some places laugh out loud) and like I said I really had enjoyed it but even in really popular reads, words or phrases being repeated that often will detract my enjoyment so much that it does effect the overall rating and reading experience.

Thank you to the author for sending me this book and introducing me to his work, I may well try one of his other books. 3/5 this time for me.

If you wish to read this book you can get it from Amazon in print for £10.60 (inc delivery) in print or as an ebook for £1.45



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