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Probably the only thing worse than finding out that nothing you know is real is finding out that you are also not real. Well, that's how Sanjiv's day started, it did not get much better after that, truth be told.
Unknown Binding
First published July 9, 2021
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Simon Carr
39 books151 followersSimon carr is, well he is me, hello. I write comedy Sci-fi and horror books. I started writing in 2018. I am severely dyslexic, on the very high end of the scale. So, writing a book was just me being defiant really, doing something I ought never to have been capable of doing.
I really enjoyed writing my first book, Space And Stuff, so I carried on writing. That makes it sound a lot simpler than it was, but after a lot of learning and editing; so much editing! And going through proofreaders at a rate of knotts, I got my books to a standard that only made a few grammar Nazis heads explode; so it will have to do.
I am from Blackburn in the UK, born in the summer of 1976. I have actually won three awards for my books, I know! I was as surprised as you are. If perfect grammar is your thing then you might want to give them a miss, but if you like satire and goofy scenarios I might be what you have been looking for.
I really enjoyed writing my first book, Space And Stuff, so I carried on writing. That makes it sound a lot simpler than it was, but after a lot of learning and editing; so much editing! And going through proofreaders at a rate of knotts, I got my books to a standard that only made a few grammar Nazis heads explode; so it will have to do.
I am from Blackburn in the UK, born in the summer of 1976. I have actually won three awards for my books, I know! I was as surprised as you are. If perfect grammar is your thing then you might want to give them a miss, but if you like satire and goofy scenarios I might be what you have been looking for.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 17, 2024
Simon Carr
S16
This is a LOL funny book, and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book (SO) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
S16
This is a LOL funny book, and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book (SO) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 13, 2022
Very biased review. Just sayin'.
Ok, first of all, this book is Lol funny, as are all Simon Carr books. I received an ARC copy of S16, but as usual, the arc doesn't play well with my devices and I always buy the book anyway, that way I can scroll pages and also see the title and author in my library. 'unknown' for both is usually how arcs show up in my Kindle. Anyway, doesn't matter to me. I get the arc because I can't wait to read the book, not because it's free. Maybe I'm addicted? If you're familiar with this author, you won't be disappointed- all the laughs are there. And as per the usual, even though it's a ridiculous, preposterous tale, it's still extremely relevant. Different yet again...as the author evolves I guess.. Less crude? More professional? both I think. Hardly any bad language, (no f-bombs), well edited with only a couple minor grammatical or spelling errors. Most different, imo, is that this is a more 'politically correct' approach to political incorrectness. And it's not in any way political. Lol, if that doesn't make sense, read the book, then it will! If you are a new Carr reader or someone who has read his work previously and couldn't get past the poor editing, THIS IS THE BOOK TO START WITH. There is no way to describe the plot any better than the blurb does so I'll just let you read that. I be here all day just hitting the highlights! What I will say, is that most every Simon Carr book I have read has gotten me kicked out of bed for laughing too much. I eventually gave up trying which is why I said 'most every book'.. I have read and loved them all -many times over. I just sleep on the couch that night🤣 And while my significant other also loves to read, he couldn't deal with the flawed presentation so he would never read them. Ha! I read the arc copy but downloaded the Kindle version just now. As I'm writing this, hubs is reading on my Kindle and cracking up. He's on page 3. Just saying. Page 3.
I personally love the original writing style,(or lack thereof?) but most readers will appreciate this cleaner, more polished effort. I'm giving 5⭐ for my myself but if hubs has any input or objections I will edit the post. I just want to say also, I am not a laugher. It's rare thing for me to actually LOL, especially over nonsensical humor. But this is old school Saturday night live, Deep thoughts by Jack Handy kinda funny. Ludicrous, nonsensical humor for sure. But there's a lot of truth in there as well. Thank you Simon Carr and Evan@storyorigin.
Ok, first of all, this book is Lol funny, as are all Simon Carr books. I received an ARC copy of S16, but as usual, the arc doesn't play well with my devices and I always buy the book anyway, that way I can scroll pages and also see the title and author in my library. 'unknown' for both is usually how arcs show up in my Kindle. Anyway, doesn't matter to me. I get the arc because I can't wait to read the book, not because it's free. Maybe I'm addicted? If you're familiar with this author, you won't be disappointed- all the laughs are there. And as per the usual, even though it's a ridiculous, preposterous tale, it's still extremely relevant. Different yet again...as the author evolves I guess.. Less crude? More professional? both I think. Hardly any bad language, (no f-bombs), well edited with only a couple minor grammatical or spelling errors. Most different, imo, is that this is a more 'politically correct' approach to political incorrectness. And it's not in any way political. Lol, if that doesn't make sense, read the book, then it will! If you are a new Carr reader or someone who has read his work previously and couldn't get past the poor editing, THIS IS THE BOOK TO START WITH. There is no way to describe the plot any better than the blurb does so I'll just let you read that. I be here all day just hitting the highlights! What I will say, is that most every Simon Carr book I have read has gotten me kicked out of bed for laughing too much. I eventually gave up trying which is why I said 'most every book'.. I have read and loved them all -many times over. I just sleep on the couch that night🤣 And while my significant other also loves to read, he couldn't deal with the flawed presentation so he would never read them. Ha! I read the arc copy but downloaded the Kindle version just now. As I'm writing this, hubs is reading on my Kindle and cracking up. He's on page 3. Just saying. Page 3.
I personally love the original writing style,(or lack thereof?) but most readers will appreciate this cleaner, more polished effort. I'm giving 5⭐ for my myself but if hubs has any input or objections I will edit the post. I just want to say also, I am not a laugher. It's rare thing for me to actually LOL, especially over nonsensical humor. But this is old school Saturday night live, Deep thoughts by Jack Handy kinda funny. Ludicrous, nonsensical humor for sure. But there's a lot of truth in there as well. Thank you Simon Carr and Evan@storyorigin.
September 6, 2022
Simon Carr is evolving. I know, it was probably as hard to write as it is to read. However, this is a good thing. This story is still outrageously silly but it is easier to follow than some of his past works. His innovative spelling is less frequent but everyone still leaves by the "exists". His imagination may be wilder than ever.
You find that hard to believe? This is the story of Sanjiv, a young man who is trying to open a restaurant but accidentally sends his first reviewer to the hospital. By catching him on fire! But, it's okay because that happened shortly before Sanjiv becomes real. Until now he was just a part of the computer simulation s16. His reality was all a simulation and true reality makes a lot less sense.
Now, he and Nardel, an over-sized koala in a gray jumpsuit and red fez, along side ZBop, a robot. have to save the planet. Of course this involves avoiding the SUV sized trap door spiders, the security robots, and various other problems that would put most people right off the plans to save anything beyond themselves.
Enjoy the evolving Simon Carr. You will laugh unless you don't like Douglas Adams, Monty Python, or Terry Pratchett. If you don't like satirical, comedic, mind bending science fiction/fantasy why have you read this far in my review?
You find that hard to believe? This is the story of Sanjiv, a young man who is trying to open a restaurant but accidentally sends his first reviewer to the hospital. By catching him on fire! But, it's okay because that happened shortly before Sanjiv becomes real. Until now he was just a part of the computer simulation s16. His reality was all a simulation and true reality makes a lot less sense.
Now, he and Nardel, an over-sized koala in a gray jumpsuit and red fez, along side ZBop, a robot. have to save the planet. Of course this involves avoiding the SUV sized trap door spiders, the security robots, and various other problems that would put most people right off the plans to save anything beyond themselves.
Enjoy the evolving Simon Carr. You will laugh unless you don't like Douglas Adams, Monty Python, or Terry Pratchett. If you don't like satirical, comedic, mind bending science fiction/fantasy why have you read this far in my review?
July 11, 2022
Given a situation like this, even veteran 'confused human in space', Arthur Dent, would probably have hung up his towel for good; but Sanjiv, a Birmingham chef of Asian descent, doesn't give up for a second, despite the utterly mind-boggling circumstances in which he finds himself.
Without spoiling it, first poor Sanjiv doesn't really exist, and neither does anything he understands as real; then he does, but he finds out that his reality is not the same as he's accustomed to. That's when things start going a bit sideways, which is actually quite a profound statement about life in general if you stop and think about it.
Another brilliant, if slightly different,sci-fi satire from possibly the bravest author I've ever heard of. This one is a little more family friendly than most of his previous work, with little to no adult language; however, parents should be advised that there are some graphic descriptions of injury and, in particular, death. I always enjoy Mr Carr's work, no matter the subject, and this is no exception to that rule; in fact, he's the only author whose next outpouring of satirical gold I actively anticipate.
Without spoiling it, first poor Sanjiv doesn't really exist, and neither does anything he understands as real; then he does, but he finds out that his reality is not the same as he's accustomed to. That's when things start going a bit sideways, which is actually quite a profound statement about life in general if you stop and think about it.
Another brilliant, if slightly different,sci-fi satire from possibly the bravest author I've ever heard of. This one is a little more family friendly than most of his previous work, with little to no adult language; however, parents should be advised that there are some graphic descriptions of injury and, in particular, death. I always enjoy Mr Carr's work, no matter the subject, and this is no exception to that rule; in fact, he's the only author whose next outpouring of satirical gold I actively anticipate.
April 13, 2023
4.5 stars. Very entertaining, fun tale. This book takes a ton of theories about life, AI, and a number of other things, crumbles them into a ball, goes eeny-meeny-miny-moe, and plops them all into one single cohesive story. Don't think it could work? You should read this! I have loved Carr's fiction for a while, so I'm not surprised I enjoyed it so much. He's ironic and sometimes deadpan, but it always comes off perfectly relatable and incredibly entertaining. His characters are great, whether human or AI, a combination of both, or possibly neither. My only criticism is the editing... since I received an ARC, I'm hoping the final release has been seriously edited. I rarely say much about editing issues, but I must admit that there are places where sentences run on, commas are used where periods or semicolons would be better utilized, numerous spelling errors, and confusion of where quotation marks should land occur. That said, it doesn't detract enough from the story to prevent reading, it can simply be a bit distracting at the moments it's noticed--I find those distractions somewhat jarring at times, but for most people, it's probably not an issue.
August 13, 2022
As the first novel by this author I have read, I was unsure what to expect. For me, this story felt like a mixture of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy novel and The Matrix movie. Sanjiv realizing he was “not real” and only a part of a virtual simulation sets the stage for anything to happen. The three main characters Sanjiv, Nardel and Zpop are quite entertaining – arguing almost like the three stooges without the head patting. Watching Sanjiv trying to understand his new reality while navigating this new sci-fi environment that was always evolving was something out of pure fantasy. Creative world building really pressed me to think “outside the box” to what “could be”. How fun! With ongoing action and the suspense of achieving their goal, the trio engages in some interesting circular yet very humorous banter. I enjoyed this story the most when I understood how VR worked in this plot and could “just go with” all the unique things that emerged.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
August 14, 2022
Fans of Douglas Adams and Red Dwarf will enjoy this satirical space opera. Humble Sanjiv is just an ordinary guy trying to make a success of his 'Battered Balti' fusion restaurant when he finds himself whisked into an existential off-planet adventure, or should we say 'nightmare'?
Don't try to unravel the meaning of reality or your head will explode, but this fiction attempts to do exactly that. Themes are larger than life, the characters are endearing, and the action adventure is unrelenting. The author's strength lies mainly in snappy one-liners and the narrative is jam-packed with those.
It's a very witty book, filled with cultural references that many readers will appreciate. Overall, I liked hanging out with the characters, more than the actual story. I was given an ARC in exchange for this review.
Don't try to unravel the meaning of reality or your head will explode, but this fiction attempts to do exactly that. Themes are larger than life, the characters are endearing, and the action adventure is unrelenting. The author's strength lies mainly in snappy one-liners and the narrative is jam-packed with those.
It's a very witty book, filled with cultural references that many readers will appreciate. Overall, I liked hanging out with the characters, more than the actual story. I was given an ARC in exchange for this review.
August 6, 2022
What if you found out all of your life you were just virtual that nothing was real and everything was made up. That is what happened to the guy in this book and no one could’ve done a better justice then Simon car. He is one of the funniest authors I mean no one does comedy like the British and Simon car is the Crim Dela Crim of British comedy. He makes me laugh and although this book is a bit different than his regular books it is still laugh out loud funny a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own I want to think story origin in the author for this ARC copy.
January 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this zany story! It was a wild and crazy ride right from the beginning, and I had to keep listening until the end. It was very reminiscent of the humour in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Poor Sanjiv finds out one day that Earth is just a simulation, and he ends up in the company of crazy aliens and robots, doing crazy things to survive. Ian Parker does an admirable job with the narration, reading the story with good pacing and nice expression. I also enjoyed the voices he used for the different characters. If you enjoy amusing sci-fi, you must read this book.
I received an audiobook copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an audiobook copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 25, 2022
S19
Once again Simon Carr fails to disappoint.
Reread that sentence you dope “ I said FAILS to disappoint”.
This is another story in the Apocalypse Blockers series and once again has the unlikeliest heroes, an Indian restaurant owner, a human looking Koala (human looking body in a boiler suit, Koala head) and a ‘droid named Zpop.
There is a trope in sci/fi and speculative fiction where you question just what is reality, Simon takes this to a hilarious extreme with S19 and will have you questioning your own very existence.
Once again Simon Carr fails to disappoint.
Reread that sentence you dope “ I said FAILS to disappoint”.
This is another story in the Apocalypse Blockers series and once again has the unlikeliest heroes, an Indian restaurant owner, a human looking Koala (human looking body in a boiler suit, Koala head) and a ‘droid named Zpop.
There is a trope in sci/fi and speculative fiction where you question just what is reality, Simon takes this to a hilarious extreme with S19 and will have you questioning your own very existence.
October 23, 2023
This is an absorbing read into the life of Sanjiv Khan. The author's sense of humor is evident and results in some laugh-out-loud moments! While the story proceeds as hilarious and absurd, the plot is also enthralling and captivating. This tale draws the reader in through the reactions of the characters to all of the environmental factors. Imagine a world also in which every aspect of life is virtuality! This book embraces the idea of everything being beyond reality. This is a well-recommended book!
January 8, 2024
Audiobook: I am a longtime fan of this author, and this story was one of the funniest that I've listened to in audiobook format so far. Sanjiv found out that nothing he knew was real, not even his own existence. I enjoyed the characters. I appreciated all the humorous incidents and dialogue. Ian Parker's narration was pure delight, and his performance was entertaining with all the different character voices and his ability to project all the different attitudes and emotions. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
January 11, 2024
Oh, my goodness. What kind of mind writes this crazy stuff? Simon Carr. Who are you? So funny.
I usually listen to my books while I do other stuff. You cannot do that with this book. It is very fast paced and you need to pay close attention to get the full experience.
Ian Parker. I can't imagine a better narrator for this book. He has spot on voices for all these crazy characters. Very well done. A fun experience all around. 5 stars +++
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Story Origin.
I usually listen to my books while I do other stuff. You cannot do that with this book. It is very fast paced and you need to pay close attention to get the full experience.
Ian Parker. I can't imagine a better narrator for this book. He has spot on voices for all these crazy characters. Very well done. A fun experience all around. 5 stars +++
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Story Origin.
May 13, 2024
This was a silly book but it was fun to listen to. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator was fantastic. He was so funny, and I loved the different voices he used for the different characters. Sanjiv was my favorite. Imagine waking up one day and nothing you knew as real, is real including yourself. A fun, lighthearted read with a little excitement. The friendship and banter between Nardel and Sanjiv was so much fun. This is not normally a book I would have picked up to read but I received a free copy of the audio book, I thought I would give it a try and I enjoyed it.
September 2, 2024
Wow! Tis book captivated me with its sharp character insights and thought-provoking themes. The way Carr delves into the struggles of his characters, each navigating their own dilemmas, really drew me in. The dialogue felt natural and engaging, making their relationships believable. However, I did feel that some subplots could have been more developed, as they seemed rushed amid the more intense moments. Despite this, the book left me reflecting on the complexities of ambition and society, making it a worthwhile read that stuck with me long after finishing.
August 5, 2022
This book was a hoot to read! I always enjoy reading this author’s books and this was a hilarious bell ringer. The characters are the true treasure they are well built to deliver humorous reactions to the events. The worlds built for this book function perfectly as a stage to enact the story. I heartily recommend this book to anyone that loves sci-fi with a liberal spicing of humor.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 17, 2024
Well I’m happy to say this as a very amusing audio book. I’m not sure it would have had the exact same feeling reading it but I am sure it would still be amusing. I know this gives a little bit away as to one character but Marvin the robot from Douglas Adam’s mixed with captain Picard as a robot. And a voice actor pulling it off. Well you have a start at losing your sanity or laughing the day away. Give this a listen and you can’t help but finish it to see what goes down next.
July 21, 2022
A very hilarious Science Fiction like story, except told in the usual manner of this author. I liked this story! S16 featured Sanjiv along with Nardel, and I could not help liking both of them. If you like laugh out loud, tongue in cheek, inventive stories, this would appeal to you. To say a anything more about it would simply spoil it.
February 6, 2025
S16 throws you headfirst into a mind-bending ride where reality is a lie and existence itself is up for debate! Simon Carr delivers another wild, hilarious, and action-packed adventure, brought to life by Ian Parker’s fantastic narration. If you love snark, chaos, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this one’s a must-listen!
July 25, 2022
Simon Carr is the unrivalled master of the absurd. His books are witty, baited with snarky humour and laugh out loud funny. All his books are a joy to read, but s16 is the best one yet.
Thouroughly recommended.
Thouroughly recommended.
July 28, 2022
This is a side step book for Simon Carr. If you usually enjoy his books then you will still like this one. Even though he had tried to make it a "new" way of writing, nothing can change Simon's sense of humour and his charming embrace of the ridiculous. Can be read as a stand alone.
August 1, 2022
Interesting read, lots of action.
April 7, 2024
If your looking for a fun book that will grab and entertain you then this is it this is worth listening to
July 24, 2022
Struggling to run his own restaurant and having just set fire (accidentally) to a food critic, Sanjiv really needs a break. Finding out that the world he lives in is not real and is just a simulation is probably not the break he was trying to catch.
Simon Carr sets his satirical writing skills on all things sci-fi and any resemblance to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is purely intentional. From the depressed robot to the lead character in a dressing gown, S16 gives nods to Douglas Adam's seminal novel and is a fun read all the way through.
Simon Carr sets his satirical writing skills on all things sci-fi and any resemblance to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is purely intentional. From the depressed robot to the lead character in a dressing gown, S16 gives nods to Douglas Adam's seminal novel and is a fun read all the way through.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews