Overtaken

by Alexei Sayle

Kelvin is a 33-year-old property developer living in a small Lancashire town.
He has five close friends, all in well paid jobs. Having bought their lovely houses cheaply in the early 1990s, they are free to spend money on their own pleasures - particularly clothes, meals and cars. Most of all, their life revolves around going to see things - art exhibitions, comedians, live music, plays...
When we first meet the six friends they are on their way to see a new kind of circus. Once there Kelvin does something unforgivable to a clown, has a strange snack and meets the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.
It's the beginning of the end of the good life.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Unfinished, British Literature

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

Alexei Sayle is an English stand-up comedian, actor, author and former recording artist, and was a central figure in the British alternative comedy movement in the 1980s.
Wikipedia

Reviews

[Vlady Peters]

I know the author best for his television series, ‘The Young Ones’ whom my son watched avidly for years. Now and then my husband and I allowed ourselves to be amused by the antics of this assorted, unpalatable group of young men. But usually, as ‘The Young Ones’ were followed by ‘The Goodies’, were followed by ‘Red Dwarf’ were followed by ‘The Thin Blue Line’ we wondered where he got his taste from.

However, if ‘The Young Ones’ weren’t exactly our favourite young scholars, I do get a kick out of seeing some of the actors making guest appearances as adults in various British series.

Some of the more horrid ones turn up playing respectable, and quite likeable older men. Others seem the same – except much, much older.

So when I resurrected the book from among my son’s box of Leggo pieces, Play Station gear, sporting trophies, Jughead and Archie comics, poker chips, and books that ranged from historical and literary to bar-tending tips, I immediately decided to read it.

As expected, the book was written in a humorous, if subdued vein, but had some unexpected and jolting episodes. In particular, the ending, which you expected to be something out of the ordinary, exploded in your face.

There’s some fabulous insights into people’s actions, like how similar situations trigger different responses in different people; and even how what we consider our natural responses, can be modified to accommodate friends who find these particular responses unpalatable. There’s even an intriguing suggestion that sometimes when we least care about something we are most likely to be successful. Seemingly, the very indifference to the outcome, makes for a good outcome.

Probably what impressed me most was the originality in terms of emotional and moral responses. There was none of the knee-jerking that so many books are prone to.

Although we keep saying that everything worth saying has been said, this book still manages to make you think and ponder.

[Adrian Deans]

I expected a lot more from this novel. It was certainly different and it tried to take off, but never quite got there for my taste.

I would be interested in seeing another AS novel, but (in my experience) not many comics make the transition to novelist in a truly satisfying way.

[Jeremy Poole]

Dark and funny, bleak and scary, did people really exist like this? (do they still?) I loved Alexei's veiw on living in modern Britain. Great.
See my indie reviews http://www.jeremypoole.net/blog.html

[Shawn Davies]

The Pies! The Pies!

Are we really so far from God? Is Grace entirely missing from the modern world?

This excellent novel has haunted me. A seemingly straight forward tale of dealing with grief in modern Britain, firmly rooted in the present, recognisable on every page. Yet the themes he develops as the story unfolds, the impossibility of justice, the harrowing of grief, immigration, house prices, the emptiness of consumer culture, all these are used to explore the gulf between humans, how unknowable we are to each other, how imperfect.

We are Nietzsche’s Untermensch staring into the abyss, and it is Alexei Sayle staring back at us holding up this dark mirror of a novel.

The Pies! The Pies!

[John]

Being Alexi Sayle this was never going to be a straightforward tale but it was, a little surprisingly, a quite deftly handled story of modern day life. There's a early twist in the tale and an even better later one and some pretty sharp observations of character which retained interest throughout. There's also plenty of the anticipated social commentary for which he has become renowned. One or two sections seem as if they might have been recycled from stand up routines but by and large a mostly successful novel.

[Ian McHugh]

"Overtaken" is a darkly comic, satirical novel that blends the mundane with the bizarre in Sayle's trademark style. Lots here to love if you enjoyed the short stories in "Barcelona Plates" and "The Dogcatcher". The story follows Kelvin in an unhinged quest surrounded by a cast of superbly weird - and all too real - characters.

Sayle’s wit and politics are there throughout and the occasional biting observation or commentary are hilarious. The pacing was a little uneven but the originality made it an easy and highly enjoyable read. Sayle's writing is excellent - unique.

[Katrina]

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this at first - the smug, unrealistic characters annoyed me although they were clearly intended to be parodies. But I ended up loving this original and thought-provoking story. How brilliant to exact revenge on a killer by exposing them to humanising influences that cause them to feel remorse. This was also an interesting reflection on friendship.

[Debbie Walker]

I enjoyed the writing style and would probably read another book by the author. A sad at times, funny at times story of a man who lost his 5 best friends to a tragic car accident and his dealings with the man who caused the accident.

[Louise Mayer]

I had never heard of Alexei Sayle before but the bottom few lines of the blurb hooked me. I would now say that, that was a bit misleading and it wasnt as kooky as I originally thought but I wasnt disappointed. A really good short read.

[Harry Palms]

This book did not overtake me but it helped me keep a focus when events in my life overtook me. I will be replacing it at some point though I remember it being a humourous mix of gripping drama, parody and a cry for selfawareness.Above all though, don't drive while using a phone or you might get overtaken. Thankfully I neither drive nor use telephones.

[Ryan]

Forgettable. The worst part about comedians writing novels is they can never keep themselves in the background: the characters always sound like THEM.

[David Gagen]

Very funny and enjoyable read. Loved it.

[zara]

4.5 stars.

It was funny and dark and sad all at once, and a nice, contained story. Really enjoyed it!

[John]

A querky novel about friendship love, loss, and revenge set in and around Ormskirk.

[Neil Seymour]

Good and well written but wow it’s traumatic!!

[Michelle]

I actually liked this book more than I thought I would. It's a fast read and kept me interested throughout. I'm still not sure if I liked or disliked the main character but I think that by the end of the book he was working his way into my heart. It is the other characters that keep the book alive and spark you to look at the way humans handle grief.

[Hugo Costa]

I had been a long time fan of Mr. Sayle since his BBC "Stuff" series - to me, the best British comedian of all time - no kidding. His first 'serious' novel was a wonderful surprise. This brilliant litle book, lead me later to discover his amazing skills as a short story writer, which, I reckon, is his main medium - apart from hilarious comedy, of course. A novel I would fully recommend.

[bigmuzz]

being a fan of sayle's 80's and 90's tv work, i didnt really know what to expect from the book. it was well worth it tho, a great read. a few very dramatic unexpected turns, a few great jokes and oneliners. im now reading his other books, we'll see how they compare...

[Carolina]

This was my first Alexei Sayle book, and I enjoyed his writing style. I knew Alexei from his work in comedy and film, and was excited to learn that he's an author too. "...Doctor Martin's boots..."

[Chris Ingram]

A good read, my first AS book. Will read more.

[Ian Fiddes]

6/10. Fairly average.

[Alex]

I really enjoyed it but I didn't understand the very end. I still don't now even after all this time.

[Ray]

i liked the book - good use of language as ever - tried too hard to be funny on occasion

[Mark Chillingworth]

Brilliant analysis of the madness of our society

[GaiB]

3.5stars - amusing and surprising.

[William]

Great pacing, always something happening.

[Lindsay]

An amusing book with a likeable and interesting main character.