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Dan and Sam by Mark Watson
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First published June 20, 2013
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About the author
Mark Watson
42 books352 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Watson is an English comedian, novelist, and producer whose career spans stand-up, radio, television, and literature. Born in Bristol to a Welsh mother and English father, he grew up with younger twin sisters and a brother. Educated at Bristol Grammar School, he went on to study English at Queens' College, Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours. At university, he became a member of the prestigious Footlights, performing alongside Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key, and Dan Stevens, and contributing to a revue nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Watson first gained wider recognition through stand-up comedy, performing regularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he won the inaugural Panel Prize at the if.comeddies in 2006 and received a Perrier Comedy Award nomination in 2005. Known for inventive and often marathon performances, his shows have included 24-hour performances, collaborative audience-driven novels, and themed events like the “Earth Summit” and “Edit,” compiling his festival highlights. His comedy frequently incorporates unusual settings, from ferries and streams to vaccination queues, demonstrating his flair for unconventional experiences.
On television, Watson co-hosted the BBC Four panel show We Need Answers, appeared on series including Taskmaster, Richard Osman's House of Games, and Celebrity Mastermind, and starred in his own programs such as Mark Watson Kicks Off and the Channel 4 panel show The Mad Bad Ad Show. His appearances also extend to stand-up specials on Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, and international comedy festivals in Australia and New Zealand.
In radio, he has hosted multiple series including Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and Mark Watson Talks A Bit About Life, often collaborating with Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Flo & Joan. He has also contributed to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk and produced series exploring both comedy and broader cultural themes.
Watson is also a prolific author, publishing novels, non-fiction works, and graphic novels. His books include Bullet Points, Crap at the Environment, Eleven, The Knot, Dan and Sam, Hotel Alpha, The Place That Didn't Exist, Contacts, Mortification, and One Minute Away.
Beyond performing and writing, he co-runs Impatient Productions, producing radio shows, podcasts, and digital content, and hosts the World Snooker Tour podcast Snooker Club. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he innovated with livestreamed 24-hour charity events called “Watsonathon!” and co-created the YouTube series No More Jockeys.
Mark Watson is a lifelong supporter of Bristol City Football Club and continues to live in East London, balancing a career that blends comedy, literature, and experimental performance with a commitment to inventive, audience-focused storytelling and engaging entertainment.
Mark Watson is an English comedian, novelist, and producer whose career spans stand-up, radio, television, and literature. Born in Bristol to a Welsh mother and English father, he grew up with younger twin sisters and a brother. Educated at Bristol Grammar School, he went on to study English at Queens' College, Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours. At university, he became a member of the prestigious Footlights, performing alongside Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key, and Dan Stevens, and contributing to a revue nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Watson first gained wider recognition through stand-up comedy, performing regularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he won the inaugural Panel Prize at the if.comeddies in 2006 and received a Perrier Comedy Award nomination in 2005. Known for inventive and often marathon performances, his shows have included 24-hour performances, collaborative audience-driven novels, and themed events like the “Earth Summit” and “Edit,” compiling his festival highlights. His comedy frequently incorporates unusual settings, from ferries and streams to vaccination queues, demonstrating his flair for unconventional experiences.
On television, Watson co-hosted the BBC Four panel show We Need Answers, appeared on series including Taskmaster, Richard Osman's House of Games, and Celebrity Mastermind, and starred in his own programs such as Mark Watson Kicks Off and the Channel 4 panel show The Mad Bad Ad Show. His appearances also extend to stand-up specials on Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, and international comedy festivals in Australia and New Zealand.
In radio, he has hosted multiple series including Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and Mark Watson Talks A Bit About Life, often collaborating with Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Flo & Joan. He has also contributed to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk and produced series exploring both comedy and broader cultural themes.
Watson is also a prolific author, publishing novels, non-fiction works, and graphic novels. His books include Bullet Points, Crap at the Environment, Eleven, The Knot, Dan and Sam, Hotel Alpha, The Place That Didn't Exist, Contacts, Mortification, and One Minute Away.
Beyond performing and writing, he co-runs Impatient Productions, producing radio shows, podcasts, and digital content, and hosts the World Snooker Tour podcast Snooker Club. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he innovated with livestreamed 24-hour charity events called “Watsonathon!” and co-created the YouTube series No More Jockeys.
Mark Watson is a lifelong supporter of Bristol City Football Club and continues to live in East London, balancing a career that blends comedy, literature, and experimental performance with a commitment to inventive, audience-focused storytelling and engaging entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 30, 2015
3.5 *
Dan and Sam are a couple who run a popular restaurant in London. They have the perfect lives, until tragedy strikes, and Sam dies in Dan's arms on Halloween night. Every year thereafter, for one night only, Sam returns, and is able to spend the night with Dan, but only whilst she is the only woman whom he loves. Torn between his adoration for Sam, and the need to find solace in his life, Dan must make an impossible choice.
I really enjoyed the art style of this one, and the narrator (a restaurant critic relaying the story) provides a unique perspective, which is interesting and engaging.
However much I liked the plot, I think this graphic novel would have benefitted from being a little longer, in order to explore some of the peripheral characters more.
Overall, it's a good graphic novel, which offers food for thought (unintention pun, but we'll go with it). I'd definitely recommend it.
Dan and Sam are a couple who run a popular restaurant in London. They have the perfect lives, until tragedy strikes, and Sam dies in Dan's arms on Halloween night. Every year thereafter, for one night only, Sam returns, and is able to spend the night with Dan, but only whilst she is the only woman whom he loves. Torn between his adoration for Sam, and the need to find solace in his life, Dan must make an impossible choice.
I really enjoyed the art style of this one, and the narrator (a restaurant critic relaying the story) provides a unique perspective, which is interesting and engaging.
However much I liked the plot, I think this graphic novel would have benefitted from being a little longer, in order to explore some of the peripheral characters more.
Overall, it's a good graphic novel, which offers food for thought (unintention pun, but we'll go with it). I'd definitely recommend it.
August 30, 2020
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2020: A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics (London)
*whimper*
When Sam dies, her grieving husband Dan can see her once a year on Halloween, as long as he still loves her and only her. But a year is a long time to wait and inevitably things become complicated.
I felt the ending was a little rushed and some of the artwork makes the characters look deranged, but this was such a lovely book - heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure - with a lively supporting cast.
*whimper*
When Sam dies, her grieving husband Dan can see her once a year on Halloween, as long as he still loves her and only her. But a year is a long time to wait and inevitably things become complicated.
I felt the ending was a little rushed and some of the artwork makes the characters look deranged, but this was such a lovely book - heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure - with a lively supporting cast.
June 25, 2017
I've read all of Mark Watson's other novels, and had no idea that he had stumbled into the world of graphic novels. I bought 'Dan and Sam' at one of Mark's comedy gigs - after a rather embarrassingly awkward signing session.
The story is really poignant and rather a lot of emotion is crammed into a relatively small number of pages. It's such a simple and - I want to use the word mundane but that isn't correct. It is a novel that it hits the mark because essentially this could happen to anyone at any time. There isn't a huge event like a Mafia shoot out that Dan and Sam get caught in, there isn't a tropical storm or a stampede of wildebeest... There was a 'normal' event that had terrible consequences.
I loved the elements of emotion and the story-telling. I loved the visual representation of grief throughout with the use of colour. I enjoyed the sub-plots and the little twist toward the end.
I'm absolutely not a prude, but I found all the nudity and sex scenes really superfluous. It felt like a competition as to how many times boobs could get into the novel.
Still, a good little read.
The story is really poignant and rather a lot of emotion is crammed into a relatively small number of pages. It's such a simple and - I want to use the word mundane but that isn't correct. It is a novel that it hits the mark because essentially this could happen to anyone at any time. There isn't a huge event like a Mafia shoot out that Dan and Sam get caught in, there isn't a tropical storm or a stampede of wildebeest... There was a 'normal' event that had terrible consequences.
I loved the elements of emotion and the story-telling. I loved the visual representation of grief throughout with the use of colour. I enjoyed the sub-plots and the little twist toward the end.
I'm absolutely not a prude, but I found all the nudity and sex scenes really superfluous. It felt like a competition as to how many times boobs could get into the novel.
Still, a good little read.
March 30, 2016
I really loved parts of this graphic novel. The concept was great and I really loved parts of the story. But GOD did the unnecessary sex/nudity annoy me. So much so that I dropped a star for that alone. You could tell it was written/drawn by men. It just felt so out of place and gratuitous. I also felt that the ending was really rushed. The fire was so random and it honestly felt like they'd just ran out of pages and had to end it quickly. Oh well, just another graphic novel that I liked but didn't love.
April 17, 2024
This has been on my shelf for far too long unread. I am so happy to say it’s now going back on my shelf in a very happy spot so I can remember to pick it up a few more times. This was extremely sensitive at depicting grief, while giving some lighthearted moments along the way. I loved the way it went from black and white to color, and the reasoning behind that. The old man who narrates this story reminded me of the grandfather from The Princess Bride. The chef in this has given me a 6 pack from laughing so hard, I would happily become a dishwasher to be in his presence.
This is without a doubt an adult graphic novel (very mature illustrations and language) but it explores losing your spouse so delicately, and I loved that aspect.
This is without a doubt an adult graphic novel (very mature illustrations and language) but it explores losing your spouse so delicately, and I loved that aspect.
March 18, 2016
The illustrations were very good; especially the segments which were in colour to show the contrast between when Dan was grieving and when he was enjoying being with Sam.
An emotional tale about bereavement, grief and coping with life beyond loss. When he starts to feel guilty and struggles with the need to build a life without her it was almost like I could feel his pain and turmoil. Nice twist in the tale too.
An emotional tale about bereavement, grief and coping with life beyond loss. When he starts to feel guilty and struggles with the need to build a life without her it was almost like I could feel his pain and turmoil. Nice twist in the tale too.
November 7, 2015
A touching story about dealing with grief. the plot went in a direction I didn't expect at the end
January 5, 2016
Story about a man who loses his wife and then finds out that he can meet her once a year, only if he still only loves her.
Charming.
Charming.
September 26, 2020
“DAN and SAM” (graphic novel) by Mark Watson
Heart-breaking tale of heartache, long goodbyes, conflicting affections, making space, letting go, replacing, disappointing others, kindness and care from others, transition grief.
Made me feel sad!
The partial use of magic surrealism that emphasizes the purpose of the story: coming to terms with love, death, grief, lament, despair, hope escapism, reality .. moving on ****
Heart-breaking tale of heartache, long goodbyes, conflicting affections, making space, letting go, replacing, disappointing others, kindness and care from others, transition grief.
Made me feel sad!
The partial use of magic surrealism that emphasizes the purpose of the story: coming to terms with love, death, grief, lament, despair, hope escapism, reality .. moving on ****
February 26, 2023
I thought this was a really sweet story with great characters, where Dan and Sam were a couple managing a restaurant before she's killed, and Dan has to learn to keep going without her.
Good ending as well.
Good ending as well.
December 17, 2018
Pure magic
July 18, 2021
2.5*
January 1, 2024
Great read but slightly messy ending I thought.
December 4, 2016
Though not a classic, this is a sensitively handled, well told story, with secondary characters as engaging as the leads. I cheered when the beta couple got together - and yes, while the fire did seem a little contrived, Dan wouldn't have missed seeing Sam deliberately. Real life throws spanners in the works all the time, so why shouldn't fiction?
I liked the contrast between everyday life when he's mourning Sam - grey, washed out - and the vibrant, colourful palette of the Day of the Dead. Another reviewer has complained about the gratuitous nudity, saying it marks it as a "male" comic. I didn't mind it during Dan and Sam's reunion, of course you would want to make love to a lost partner if you had the chance, but you can't help but notice that the women are full frontal when Dan was covered up!
A few readers have commented unfavourably on the 'twist.' I actually really liked it - throughout I queried the point of Roland and why he of all the characters should be the narrator. Ratatouille is mentioned in passing (hilariously, by the way), and Roland serves almost as an anti Ego. Whereas Ego is an antagonist for much of the film, only to be redeemed, Roland initially seems to be an avuncular, lonely old man living vicariously through others - only to be unmasked as a selfish, manipulative sod! As far as he knew, Dan could have simply have been unhinged by grief and fantasised the entire story, making his actions even more reprehensible.
A film is in the offing, so I hope it keeps its themes intact and doesn't "Hollywoodise" it. Despite its flaws it's a moving reflection on love, loss and the importance of relationships of every kind.
I liked the contrast between everyday life when he's mourning Sam - grey, washed out - and the vibrant, colourful palette of the Day of the Dead. Another reviewer has complained about the gratuitous nudity, saying it marks it as a "male" comic. I didn't mind it during Dan and Sam's reunion, of course you would want to make love to a lost partner if you had the chance, but you can't help but notice that the women are full frontal when Dan was covered up!
A few readers have commented unfavourably on the 'twist.' I actually really liked it - throughout I queried the point of Roland and why he of all the characters should be the narrator. Ratatouille is mentioned in passing (hilariously, by the way), and Roland serves almost as an anti Ego. Whereas Ego is an antagonist for much of the film, only to be redeemed, Roland initially seems to be an avuncular, lonely old man living vicariously through others - only to be unmasked as a selfish, manipulative sod! As far as he knew, Dan could have simply have been unhinged by grief and fantasised the entire story, making his actions even more reprehensible.
A film is in the offing, so I hope it keeps its themes intact and doesn't "Hollywoodise" it. Despite its flaws it's a moving reflection on love, loss and the importance of relationships of every kind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2016
Whilst I enjoyed most of this graphic novel, I did not like the ending. Either it needed to be longer, or there didn't need to be the twist. Since the story took the time to develop the stages of Dan's grief, the ending just came out of nowhere, and in my opinion, was not necessary.
HOWEVER, I really enjoyed watching Dan's grieving process, and how over the years, he slowly starts to let go and move on. The dilemma Dan faces between moving forward or living in the past felt very genuine and was well developed. I enjoyed the use of colour to show both joy and sorrow, and the side characters were fun too.
Overall, an enjoyable story, but I wish the ending was more developed.
HOWEVER, I really enjoyed watching Dan's grieving process, and how over the years, he slowly starts to let go and move on. The dilemma Dan faces between moving forward or living in the past felt very genuine and was well developed. I enjoyed the use of colour to show both joy and sorrow, and the side characters were fun too.
Overall, an enjoyable story, but I wish the ending was more developed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2016
Art style wasn't my favorite. Concept of story was interesting and could have been great, but the end was bulldozed and unsatisfying. I do enjoy Mark Watson and will continue to read the rest of his work.
January 2, 2016
I didn't really enjoy the art style of this bit I did like the story and the way it looked at loss.
July 10, 2016
For me it was one of those "don't put it down" books, great story all the way through. Reminds me of the Mexican Day of the Dead stories
April 13, 2017
This was an enjoyable enough little yarn, though like another reviewer said, I felt like the ending was a little rushed and I would like to have had the narrator's role explained a bit better?...I just didn't find his motives or position believable.The drawing is of a good standard, though I felt the plot was a bit shaky at times and the chef was just a one dimensional cliche who made me cringe every time he spoke, but nevertheless this was a good read and fairly original in it's approach and I would say it's certainly worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews