The Making of Mr Bolsover

by Cornelius Medvei

The fabulous new novel from the author of the acclaimed and much loved novels Caroline and Mr Thundermug.
     The beguiling story of a disgruntled, middle-aged man who used to be a minor civil servant and took early retirement after being assaulted by a member of the public. He has become increasingly irritated by Modern Society and the Repressive Government and eventually withdraws to nearby woods, where he intends to live as self-styled leader of the partisans, in a hideout which he constructs at great effort, realising all his childhood fantasies of dugouts, camouflage and lookout posts in the trees. 
     Meanwhile his relatives are starting to lose patience with his lifestyle. He turns up now and then in his filthy tweeds for meals, or to use the shower and do his washing. He has very little to do except sit by his campfire and write indignant letters to the local papers on the many subjects that infuriate him. 
     And then, having decided he is getting nowhere, he decides to stand for parliament. A tale of a modern misfit and a sort of demented political biography, The Partisan is the extraordinary new novel from a brilliant and acclaimed young writer.

196 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2014

Reviews

[Koit · Rating 2 out of 5]

A low 2.5 from me. While original and satirical, it is overall a poor effort. A number of the early chapters are quite deliberately vague with respect to what goes on later in the book, and in a way which I did not like. Also, the overall story failed to captivate me even though the author did manage to sufficiently criticise (comment?) on some aspects of modern politics.

[David Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Medvei's books are peopled by eccentric characters and "The Making of Mr Bolsover" is no different, although this time animals are not central to the story for a change. It took me a little longer to get into it than his previous books, but once I did I found this book to read like a latter-era Wes Anderson movie script.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5
Uninspiring start - confusion and flat but the middle bit is wonderful political satire - a short easy read.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was part of a mystery box of books, so didn't really know what to expect. Really easy book to read, although I think I spent most of time try to work out where in Lewes places mentioned are.

[Nicole B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little satire of a man gone insane and the world responding to it all. The author parodies a biographer well and the book is written with a good dose of humour.

[Liz Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you live anywhere near Lewes, you'll be interested in this book as there are lots of mentions of local places. It's a quick read, albeit slightly eccentric, but I quite liked it.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having never read a "satirical biography" before I went into this one with an open mind and I'm glad I did. I have to admit to googling whether it was fictional or not as the levels of humour and biography really balanced out.

This was recommended to me by my local librarian and I have to say I am pleased with what he chose. The Making of Mr Bolsover was certainly a "different" book and I was engrossed.

Very easy to read, light-hearted (generally) and relatively short so pleasing to glide through on an evening.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book, as seems to be usual, that holds the right trail of thoughts at the right moment. Literary enough that it reads smoothly, whilst being delightfully humerous in its sincere character - Mr Bolsover.
- Mr Bolsover endeavours to wade through life armed with a researched opinion on political history and an admiration for the practicality of badgers within their woodland habitats.

[Samantha Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very random book, not entirely sure what to make of it! Parts were very amusing but over all odd would be a fair summary :)