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The World Is {Not} A Cold, Dead Place by Nathan O'Hagan
"I have developed a detachment from the rest of the human race. I don't fear them. I don't consider myself above them. It's just that I genuinely loathe them. There is no reason. I wasn't abused as a child. There were no traumatic events in adolescence, no heartbreak or rejection in early adulthood. Nothing to account for the person I have become. I shall offer no explanation, no mitigation for what I am. But whatever the reason, I have come adrift from mankind, and that is where I intend to stay."Welcome to Gary Lennon's world. It isn't a cold dead place. You'll like it there. You'll see things his way and you'll want to stay. But Gary's therapist has other ideas. He thinks Gary should get a job, meet people and interact with the real world. Look out, people. Look out, world."Gary is an anti-hero for our times, Everyman and the Outsider rolled into one, and his zeitgeist will explode off the page and roll down your chin with each mounting episode." John Lake (author, Hot Knife)
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First published August 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 12, 2018
I have had this book on my TBR pile for what feels like a ridiculously long time, but I’m pleased to have finally got around to reading it. The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place is very different to what I have been reading recently but in a good way and, as they say, a change is as good as a rest.
The world we inhabit as we read The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place is Gary Lennon’s. Living in Birkenhead, Gary’s world is isolated and revolves around his flat, his two friends and his therapy sessions. Gary’s obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety and depression mean that he has a certain way of viewing life. His relatively small world is about to be rocked, however, as his therapist has decided that he should get a job and start meeting people.
Gary is acerbic, cynical and has a very bleak view of the world. With biting black humour, O’Hagan has written a book that has you both laughing and nodding in agreement with his acute observations of the more ridiculous and astounding aspects of modern life. I really warmed to Gary, he is an anti-hero who says and does the things you wish you could but can’t as you would never get away with. There are some pretty heart-breaking moments in the book and I was particularly affected by the story behind one of Gary’s friend’s nickname.
This could be a bleak and depressing read, but O’Hagan’s mix of humour and biting observations ensure that this isn’t the case. O’Hagan is clearly astute and questions what is going on around him and this shines through in The World. He has created a well-rounded character in Gary Lennon and, despite him not being a conventionally lovable character, you can’t help but like him. The World is not a fast-paced book that is rammed with action and yet it is engrossing and during the periods when you can’t read you are itching to get back to Gary and his world.
The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place is a scathing, suspicious yet accurate account of modern society as seen through the main character’s eyes – a character who in the same turn is endearing – and it is incredibly funny in places. If you like your humour on the darker side and you find yourself rooting for the underdog, introduce yourself to Gary Lennon by grabbing a copy of O’Hagan’s book.
The world we inhabit as we read The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place is Gary Lennon’s. Living in Birkenhead, Gary’s world is isolated and revolves around his flat, his two friends and his therapy sessions. Gary’s obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety and depression mean that he has a certain way of viewing life. His relatively small world is about to be rocked, however, as his therapist has decided that he should get a job and start meeting people.
Gary is acerbic, cynical and has a very bleak view of the world. With biting black humour, O’Hagan has written a book that has you both laughing and nodding in agreement with his acute observations of the more ridiculous and astounding aspects of modern life. I really warmed to Gary, he is an anti-hero who says and does the things you wish you could but can’t as you would never get away with. There are some pretty heart-breaking moments in the book and I was particularly affected by the story behind one of Gary’s friend’s nickname.
This could be a bleak and depressing read, but O’Hagan’s mix of humour and biting observations ensure that this isn’t the case. O’Hagan is clearly astute and questions what is going on around him and this shines through in The World. He has created a well-rounded character in Gary Lennon and, despite him not being a conventionally lovable character, you can’t help but like him. The World is not a fast-paced book that is rammed with action and yet it is engrossing and during the periods when you can’t read you are itching to get back to Gary and his world.
The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place is a scathing, suspicious yet accurate account of modern society as seen through the main character’s eyes – a character who in the same turn is endearing – and it is incredibly funny in places. If you like your humour on the darker side and you find yourself rooting for the underdog, introduce yourself to Gary Lennon by grabbing a copy of O’Hagan’s book.
June 9, 2022
After reading O'Hagan's short story collection last week (Everything Falls Apart) I was interested to see if he could maintain the same level of humour, pathos and wit that he had with his shorter work in a longer piece. He didn't disappoint.
Gary Lennon is a cracking character. He's a sort of modern everyman, as depressing as that realisation is. He's wracked with anxiety, has OCD and purposefully alienates almost everyone around him. He reminded me a lot of myself when I was a younger lad. Coupled with an intellect is usually the huge sense of dissatisfaction in the world. I mean, it is fucked in every possible way. Very few people have the skills, energy and rationale to accomplish anything approaching a solution to that (especially at a young age). So we pull away. Punk vibes intensity. We become anarchistic and self medicate. And if you have mental health issues, things deepen quickly until it becomes extremely hard to escape.
This book perfectly encapsulates that. And I got halfway through with no idea why I was enjoying it so much until I realised that it was one of the few books with a believable male protagonist.
I read a lot. But most of the books I've read are classics where the men are unrecognisable due to cultural drift. Or they are modern books where the author is either a woman (and therefore approximates masculinity to varying degrees of success) or a man and he tries to make the character everything the author isn't (smarter, more handsome, better with women, more talented) and the character becomes a caricature. A ridiculous bloated malformation.
Not here. This book really does capture the unpleasant aspects of being a man and doesn't make the mistake of passing judgement. Because they work in his favour as often as they hinder his progress. You route for the guy, despite yourself.
You realise he's broken. There doesn't need to be a reason. The world is broken.
And that's the reality of life for everyone. We all have our failings, to hide them is disingenuous. To improve ourselves we have to represent ourselves with authenticity. A rare quality. To live as your true self, no matter what form that takes. It's the only way you can truly consider yourself alive. And it's only after that slight shift in perspective that you can begin to become someone better.
I'm already 20% through the sequel, The Only Sane Man On Earth.
Gary Lennon is a cracking character. He's a sort of modern everyman, as depressing as that realisation is. He's wracked with anxiety, has OCD and purposefully alienates almost everyone around him. He reminded me a lot of myself when I was a younger lad. Coupled with an intellect is usually the huge sense of dissatisfaction in the world. I mean, it is fucked in every possible way. Very few people have the skills, energy and rationale to accomplish anything approaching a solution to that (especially at a young age). So we pull away. Punk vibes intensity. We become anarchistic and self medicate. And if you have mental health issues, things deepen quickly until it becomes extremely hard to escape.
This book perfectly encapsulates that. And I got halfway through with no idea why I was enjoying it so much until I realised that it was one of the few books with a believable male protagonist.
I read a lot. But most of the books I've read are classics where the men are unrecognisable due to cultural drift. Or they are modern books where the author is either a woman (and therefore approximates masculinity to varying degrees of success) or a man and he tries to make the character everything the author isn't (smarter, more handsome, better with women, more talented) and the character becomes a caricature. A ridiculous bloated malformation.
Not here. This book really does capture the unpleasant aspects of being a man and doesn't make the mistake of passing judgement. Because they work in his favour as often as they hinder his progress. You route for the guy, despite yourself.
You realise he's broken. There doesn't need to be a reason. The world is broken.
And that's the reality of life for everyone. We all have our failings, to hide them is disingenuous. To improve ourselves we have to represent ourselves with authenticity. A rare quality. To live as your true self, no matter what form that takes. It's the only way you can truly consider yourself alive. And it's only after that slight shift in perspective that you can begin to become someone better.
I'm already 20% through the sequel, The Only Sane Man On Earth.
October 26, 2015
Firstly I have to make a disclaimer, this is a story based in Birkenhead, Merseyside, a place I know very well as I was born just a few miles away. So I had to jump at the chance to review a book finally from my home.
I have the chance to read and write reviews for some truly outstanding books, sadly there are some that never get to this point, I am delighted to recommend The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place by Nathan O’Hagan. Is it possible to laugh and cry and at the same time feel a somewhat homesick. Yes this was me.
Gary Lennon is a man that has become disaffected with the World we all know and suffers from OCD as well as other psychological conditions. Gary shuns contact and has shut himself away with no job living off benefits so there is no real contact with the outside world. Basically he has cut himself adrift from society in general.
We get the opportunity to enter Gary’s world and follow in his footsteps as he ‘very briefly’ ventures into the outside world and the occasional brush a fellow citizen. For Gary it is bad enough going outside but it gets worse he has to have meetings with Brian his therapist. So by now you should be getting the picture of Gary’s world.
So when Brian decides it is time Gary braves the big wide world and trying to get him off benefits and into work, imagine how scary that is. Now imagine getting a job, wait for it. In a call centre surrounded by all sorts of people let alone being harassed by his team leader. Some of the moments in this story are immensely funny, so when Ruth starts to sexually harass Gary you can imagine how his world goes. So what becomes of Gary and the world in which he inhabits? No I am not going to divulge. That would spoil it.
The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place has everything even moments of immense heart-warming moments. This is not just a story it is about modern life the world in which we all live.
You must read this for the moments of pure joy and occasional sadness. But you will come to love this and many will re-visit at a later time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I have the chance to read and write reviews for some truly outstanding books, sadly there are some that never get to this point, I am delighted to recommend The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place by Nathan O’Hagan. Is it possible to laugh and cry and at the same time feel a somewhat homesick. Yes this was me.
Gary Lennon is a man that has become disaffected with the World we all know and suffers from OCD as well as other psychological conditions. Gary shuns contact and has shut himself away with no job living off benefits so there is no real contact with the outside world. Basically he has cut himself adrift from society in general.
We get the opportunity to enter Gary’s world and follow in his footsteps as he ‘very briefly’ ventures into the outside world and the occasional brush a fellow citizen. For Gary it is bad enough going outside but it gets worse he has to have meetings with Brian his therapist. So by now you should be getting the picture of Gary’s world.
So when Brian decides it is time Gary braves the big wide world and trying to get him off benefits and into work, imagine how scary that is. Now imagine getting a job, wait for it. In a call centre surrounded by all sorts of people let alone being harassed by his team leader. Some of the moments in this story are immensely funny, so when Ruth starts to sexually harass Gary you can imagine how his world goes. So what becomes of Gary and the world in which he inhabits? No I am not going to divulge. That would spoil it.
The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place has everything even moments of immense heart-warming moments. This is not just a story it is about modern life the world in which we all live.
You must read this for the moments of pure joy and occasional sadness. But you will come to love this and many will re-visit at a later time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
June 4, 2016
Comparisons to Fight Club and Confederacy of Dunces piqued my interest, and while I can see some elements of both works in O'Hagan's fantastic novel, protagonist Gary Lennon is a truly original anti-hero. He's not violent -- he just happens to avoid society as much as he possibly can by choice and he's doing just fine in thanks to the disability support he receives for his severe OCD condition. When Gary's shrink decides enough is enough, Gary is forced to enter the 'real' world and deal with adult situations (love, friendship, family) in, at times, hysterical fashion. I finished the book in just a few days and already miss it.
February 29, 2016
This book is heart warming and enlightening. Gary may be an individual on the edge of society in many ways, but it is easy to warm to him and to understand why he acts in the way he does. Well written and highly entertaining.
July 3, 2017
Wow
Wow what perfectly written book. I have to put this in my top 3 books. Such an amazing gritty story full of dark humour. An absolute must read.
Wow what perfectly written book. I have to put this in my top 3 books. Such an amazing gritty story full of dark humour. An absolute must read.
May 21, 2018
Gross at points but another engaging, interesting perspective and character study.
May 6, 2017
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
Ha! I kind of knew I was going to like this book just from the title, and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s an interesting read, the fictionalised account of a young man with social anxiety issues and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as an overall hatred towards the world. This isn’t the type of book that leans heavily on the story line – in fact, it almost reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye, thanks to its antisocial protagonist and narrator and the fact that the plot almost takes second place.
For what it’s worth, it follows Gary Lennon through his psychiatry sessions and his subsequent rehabilitation into society, with disastrous and entertaining consequences. Other than that, I can’t say too much, but I’d recommend this one and so you should check it out yourself! The world is alright.
Ha! I kind of knew I was going to like this book just from the title, and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s an interesting read, the fictionalised account of a young man with social anxiety issues and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as an overall hatred towards the world. This isn’t the type of book that leans heavily on the story line – in fact, it almost reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye, thanks to its antisocial protagonist and narrator and the fact that the plot almost takes second place.
For what it’s worth, it follows Gary Lennon through his psychiatry sessions and his subsequent rehabilitation into society, with disastrous and entertaining consequences. Other than that, I can’t say too much, but I’d recommend this one and so you should check it out yourself! The world is alright.
March 25, 2023
Wasn’t sure what to exist as sort of recommended by ex magazine editor James Brown in something I saw.
Well, I liked it.
Think coming of age Irvine Welsh tone set in Birkenhead, with reference to relationships, modern societies ills, mental illness all very funnily put together to a bsckdrop of Birkenhead. A setting neglected by fiction!!
I’ll read the follow up, I sort of like the protagonist Lennon
Well, I liked it.
Think coming of age Irvine Welsh tone set in Birkenhead, with reference to relationships, modern societies ills, mental illness all very funnily put together to a bsckdrop of Birkenhead. A setting neglected by fiction!!
I’ll read the follow up, I sort of like the protagonist Lennon
October 20, 2020
This book is equal parts hilarious and devastating and insightful. The story follows Gary, a man living in the north of England with OCD who is trying to live in a mad world. I really enjoyed the characters explosive rants as well as how the story shows how much of struggle it is to live with that particular mental health issue. Fascinating and brilliant.
October 27, 2024
Wow, flipping excellent! Loved loved loved it!!!
October 26, 2015
Firstly I have to make a disclaimer, this is a story based in Birkenhead, Merseyside, a place I know very well as I was born just a few miles away. So I had to jump at the chance to review a book finally from my home.
I have the chance to read and write reviews for some truly outstanding books, sadly there are some that never get to this point, I am delighted to recommend The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place by Nathan O’Hagan. Is it possible to laugh and cry and at the same time feel a somewhat homesick. Yes this was me.
Gary Lennon is a man that has become disaffected with the World we all know and suffers from OCD as well as other psychological conditions. Gary shuns contact and has shut himself away with no job living off benefits so there is no real contact with the outside world. Basically he has cut himself adrift from society in general.
We get the opportunity to enter Gary’s world and follow in his footsteps as he ‘very briefly’ ventures into the outside world and the occasional brush a fellow citizen. For Gary it is bad enough going outside but it gets worse he has to have meetings with Brian his therapist. So by now you should be getting the picture of Gary’s world.
So when Brian decides it is time Gary braves the big wide world and trying to get him off benefits and into work, imagine how scary that is. Now imagine getting a job, wait for it. In a call centre surrounded by all sorts of people let alone being harassed by his team leader. Some of the moments in this story are immensely funny, so when Ruth starts to sexually harass Gary you can imagine how his world goes. So what becomes of Gary and the world in which he inhabits? No I am not going to divulge. That would spoil it.
The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place has everything even moments of immense heart-warming moments. This is not just a story it is about modern life the world in which we all live.
You must read this for the moments of pure joy and occasional sadness. But you will come to love this and many will re-visit at a later time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I have the chance to read and write reviews for some truly outstanding books, sadly there are some that never get to this point, I am delighted to recommend The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place by Nathan O’Hagan. Is it possible to laugh and cry and at the same time feel a somewhat homesick. Yes this was me.
Gary Lennon is a man that has become disaffected with the World we all know and suffers from OCD as well as other psychological conditions. Gary shuns contact and has shut himself away with no job living off benefits so there is no real contact with the outside world. Basically he has cut himself adrift from society in general.
We get the opportunity to enter Gary’s world and follow in his footsteps as he ‘very briefly’ ventures into the outside world and the occasional brush a fellow citizen. For Gary it is bad enough going outside but it gets worse he has to have meetings with Brian his therapist. So by now you should be getting the picture of Gary’s world.
So when Brian decides it is time Gary braves the big wide world and trying to get him off benefits and into work, imagine how scary that is. Now imagine getting a job, wait for it. In a call centre surrounded by all sorts of people let alone being harassed by his team leader. Some of the moments in this story are immensely funny, so when Ruth starts to sexually harass Gary you can imagine how his world goes. So what becomes of Gary and the world in which he inhabits? No I am not going to divulge. That would spoil it.
The World is (not) a Dead Cold Place has everything even moments of immense heart-warming moments. This is not just a story it is about modern life the world in which we all live.
You must read this for the moments of pure joy and occasional sadness. But you will come to love this and many will re-visit at a later time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews