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Coconut Badger
Coconut Badger is slated to be filmed in Scotland, based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Mark MacNicol. The story of Tam, a young man from a tough neighbourhood who suffers from debilitating panic attacks when faced with stress or confrontation. Pat a local widower with a murky past introduces his new protégé to a solution in the form of a technique that combines physiology, modern psychology and ancient Zen.
After handing out their own form of justice to a murderer locally they come to the attention of a frustrated senior detective. Like a toxic batman and robin they are soon recruited for a city-wide vigilante plot and unleashed on an underbelly of violent and often colourful characters. The sequence of events that follow Tam's faustian pact have a devastating effect not only on him but those closest to him.
Coconut Badger is a well-conceived and original story that represents an opportunity to win over both American and European independent film markets. It will be produced by Anotherneck Pictures, Ltd (Hollywood). in conjunction with prestigious Scottish film production company Two Fit Poles, Ltd.
After handing out their own form of justice to a murderer locally they come to the attention of a frustrated senior detective. Like a toxic batman and robin they are soon recruited for a city-wide vigilante plot and unleashed on an underbelly of violent and often colourful characters. The sequence of events that follow Tam's faustian pact have a devastating effect not only on him but those closest to him.
Coconut Badger is a well-conceived and original story that represents an opportunity to win over both American and European independent film markets. It will be produced by Anotherneck Pictures, Ltd (Hollywood). in conjunction with prestigious Scottish film production company Two Fit Poles, Ltd.
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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About the author
Mark MacNicol
2 books96 followersMark is currently in pre production with a screenplay adaptation of his novel Coconut Badger (shooting in Glasgow 2014).
His new novel 'Finn McCool Rises (Part 1)' is free of charge on most ebook formats including kindle until 18th sep 2014 (date of Scottish independence referendum).
Mark graduated with a Masters degree (TV Drama) in Nov 2012 from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Written and Directed multiple stage plays.
Created a monthly workshop for new writing in Glasgow ‘Stage to Page’.
Served on the management board of ‘The Scottish Writers Federation’ from 2011 – 2013.
His new novel 'Finn McCool Rises (Part 1)' is free of charge on most ebook formats including kindle until 18th sep 2014 (date of Scottish independence referendum).
Mark graduated with a Masters degree (TV Drama) in Nov 2012 from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Written and Directed multiple stage plays.
Created a monthly workshop for new writing in Glasgow ‘Stage to Page’.
Served on the management board of ‘The Scottish Writers Federation’ from 2011 – 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2013
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 249
Blurb from the back cover
Tam suffers from panic attacks avoiding potential triggers like attractive women and confrontations. After an approach from a local widower he is introduced to a technique turning him from zero to hero. Tam's life is transformed with men fearing him and women lusting after him - but has he made a pact with the devil?
My review
Meet Tam, our main character, a young lad from a Glasgow scheme with a big problem: panic attacks, shy and no self confidence. Not exactly the qualities you need to survive the life in a scheme or get the girl of your dreams. After an embarrassing and violent attack, help comes in the form of Pat, an older bloke from the estates who knows a thing or two about surviving Glasgow. Soon he is teaching his young protege some techniques that totally changes his life. All is great in the beginning but soon Tam finds himself in deeper than he imagined and with life changing consequences.
I had never heard of this author but I am always keen to give everyone a go, especially when the story takes place in a city I know. Tam is a character that goes through quite a transformation, however the reader gets to follow him through it in a way that I believe many could sympathize with, if you lived in a scheme at any point. I went through phases of rooting for him, to disliking him and back again. Pat is a character, love him or hate him he definitely brings the story, and the murky dark happenings to life. There are some other key characters, however one who isn't a huge part but I loved his name and is worthy of mention is Wan Brick.
The story itself is quite violent in parts, certainly graphic and conjures quite the picture in your head, like a movie I could visualize it playing out. I think it would make for a great movie, which according to MacNicol's website it is in the pipelines.
There is quite a few layers to this story, it isn't just violence, sex and drugs although to be fair there is all of that in the mix so be warned. However it is also a story of personal growth, consequences, love, lust, friendship, betrayal and honor to name but a few.
The story does have quite a bit of Glaswegian patter and dialogue when the characters are conversing which some non Scots may find hard to follow. Phrases, which added to my enjoyment to be fair, as it was like days of old or visiting old friends. Weesht meaning be quiet, Awright - Ok? and Hawnle - handle - look after yourself. I think an excerpt at the back with translation may be a good idea for future publishing would help for the non Scottish readers.
The chapters were fairly short in between, which if your a follower of my reviews you know I love. Especially when you don't have a lot of time to read as your studying or just busy in general so not getting a lot of time to read, this helped me fly through the book. I really enjoyed this book, there are a few twists that I didn't see coming, one of which actually had me exclaim, was so glad I wasn't on public transport! A really good debut novel, I hope that there may be another in the works on the early life of Pat, I would love to read that. Enjoyable, good paced, hooks you in and evokes quit a few emotions, 5/5 for me this time and I would certainly read this author again. Thanks so much to Mark for introducing me to his work, this book is available to buy in paperback for £7.99 from his website www.markmacnicol.com and the ebook is, at time of posting £0.99 you can also follow him on twitter @markmacnicol
Pages - 249
Blurb from the back cover
Tam suffers from panic attacks avoiding potential triggers like attractive women and confrontations. After an approach from a local widower he is introduced to a technique turning him from zero to hero. Tam's life is transformed with men fearing him and women lusting after him - but has he made a pact with the devil?
My review
Meet Tam, our main character, a young lad from a Glasgow scheme with a big problem: panic attacks, shy and no self confidence. Not exactly the qualities you need to survive the life in a scheme or get the girl of your dreams. After an embarrassing and violent attack, help comes in the form of Pat, an older bloke from the estates who knows a thing or two about surviving Glasgow. Soon he is teaching his young protege some techniques that totally changes his life. All is great in the beginning but soon Tam finds himself in deeper than he imagined and with life changing consequences.
I had never heard of this author but I am always keen to give everyone a go, especially when the story takes place in a city I know. Tam is a character that goes through quite a transformation, however the reader gets to follow him through it in a way that I believe many could sympathize with, if you lived in a scheme at any point. I went through phases of rooting for him, to disliking him and back again. Pat is a character, love him or hate him he definitely brings the story, and the murky dark happenings to life. There are some other key characters, however one who isn't a huge part but I loved his name and is worthy of mention is Wan Brick.
The story itself is quite violent in parts, certainly graphic and conjures quite the picture in your head, like a movie I could visualize it playing out. I think it would make for a great movie, which according to MacNicol's website it is in the pipelines.
There is quite a few layers to this story, it isn't just violence, sex and drugs although to be fair there is all of that in the mix so be warned. However it is also a story of personal growth, consequences, love, lust, friendship, betrayal and honor to name but a few.
The story does have quite a bit of Glaswegian patter and dialogue when the characters are conversing which some non Scots may find hard to follow. Phrases, which added to my enjoyment to be fair, as it was like days of old or visiting old friends. Weesht meaning be quiet, Awright - Ok? and Hawnle - handle - look after yourself. I think an excerpt at the back with translation may be a good idea for future publishing would help for the non Scottish readers.
The chapters were fairly short in between, which if your a follower of my reviews you know I love. Especially when you don't have a lot of time to read as your studying or just busy in general so not getting a lot of time to read, this helped me fly through the book. I really enjoyed this book, there are a few twists that I didn't see coming, one of which actually had me exclaim, was so glad I wasn't on public transport! A really good debut novel, I hope that there may be another in the works on the early life of Pat, I would love to read that. Enjoyable, good paced, hooks you in and evokes quit a few emotions, 5/5 for me this time and I would certainly read this author again. Thanks so much to Mark for introducing me to his work, this book is available to buy in paperback for £7.99 from his website www.markmacnicol.com and the ebook is, at time of posting £0.99 you can also follow him on twitter @markmacnicol
March 14, 2014
'Coconut Badger' was a book that took me very much out of my comfort zone as a reader - in the best possible sense. Having just finished reading a series of fantasy novels of the George Martin variety, my head was very much in the clouds and the brutal realism of Mark MacNicol's story brought me back down to earth. It also made me realise how much I've been missing by not reading this kind of fiction for a while.
I would be lying if I said I didn't find myself making comparisons with Irvine Welsh - in terms of the story's harsh drama and the way it tackles issues which include poverty, drug taking and violence amongst a socially disenfranchised Scottish community. However, for some reason I found myself warming to MacNicol's characters far more than I do to Welsh's. Even - at times - to Pat, potential sociopath who offers the protagonist, Tam, an opportunity to release himself from the panic attacks and fear which have beset him all his life. The violence in the book is pretty uncompromising - I did find my stomach churning a bit on occasion, but it needs to be for this story to work. Let's just say it shocked me out of my suburban complacency as a reader, and that is one of the most important things any book could ever do.
I would be lying if I said I didn't find myself making comparisons with Irvine Welsh - in terms of the story's harsh drama and the way it tackles issues which include poverty, drug taking and violence amongst a socially disenfranchised Scottish community. However, for some reason I found myself warming to MacNicol's characters far more than I do to Welsh's. Even - at times - to Pat, potential sociopath who offers the protagonist, Tam, an opportunity to release himself from the panic attacks and fear which have beset him all his life. The violence in the book is pretty uncompromising - I did find my stomach churning a bit on occasion, but it needs to be for this story to work. Let's just say it shocked me out of my suburban complacency as a reader, and that is one of the most important things any book could ever do.
July 15, 2022
This was a good read. Not my normal genre but enjoyed the relationship of Tam and Pat and their blinkered outlook on the world. I particularly liked the use of language and the crossover of english and local dialect.
It hit on some tragic circumstances, a complicated love life (Paula and Stella) and a troubled childhood. It could have been a story from any local, poverty stricken family in Glasgow.
It hit on some tragic circumstances, a complicated love life (Paula and Stella) and a troubled childhood. It could have been a story from any local, poverty stricken family in Glasgow.
August 17, 2013
Coconut Badger was a a great read. A dark story of a troubled youth, it pulled me into the story as it gained momentum right up to the last page. This book is a page-turner. I finished it in two sittings.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews