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Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar by D. J. Connell
Julian Corkle's got small-screenability. His mother tells him he'll be a star one day. 'Twinkle, twinkle,' she says, giving his hair a ruffle.Not everyone shares Julian's dreams of stardom. Television is too much like hairdressing for his father's tastes. A Tasmanian man wants a son for sporting purposes. 'Boys don't like dolls,' he tells Julian, 'They like Dinky Toys.' Not this boy, thinks Julian, who knows better than to tell the truth.Besides, the family already has a sporting hero, Julian's sister Carmel aka 'The Locomotive'. Julian likes his sister, but knows better than to tangle with her bowling arm. It's the same one she uses for punching.Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar is the ultimate feel-good novel, a book that will have the reader laughing out loud on the back of a bus as it follows Julian's bumpy journey through adolescence, fibbing his way through school and a series of dead-end jobs, to find his ultimate calling as creator of ‘The Hog.’ It's as if Crocodile Dundee has crashed Muriel's wedding and run off into the desert with Priscilla.
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First published June 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 7, 2023
I picked this book up after reading and loving The Improbable Life of Ricky Bird which I loved immensely. D J Connell is also known as Diane Connell, but changed her writing name after two previous novels, which is not easy to discern via her profiles.
Not hard to see why not, I imagine she is trying to lose the D J moniker as this was pretty awful. Sometimes humorous, but often silly and ridiculous. Julian lives in Tasmania and as a gay young man, this was not the place to grow up as the laws and attitudes in Tassie were way behind the rest of Australia and most of the world. Moments do not make for a coherent or good book.
I look forward to more Diane books, not any more DJ books by this author. Disappointing.
Not hard to see why not, I imagine she is trying to lose the D J moniker as this was pretty awful. Sometimes humorous, but often silly and ridiculous. Julian lives in Tasmania and as a gay young man, this was not the place to grow up as the laws and attitudes in Tassie were way behind the rest of Australia and most of the world. Moments do not make for a coherent or good book.
I look forward to more Diane books, not any more DJ books by this author. Disappointing.
July 28, 2010
This book has a misleading title – it’s merely a line of dialogue chosen almost at random from the middle of the book because it will look eye-catching on the shelves of a bookshop – but it’s a bold yet charming rites-of-passage satire about a fey boy growing up in one of the most hostile environments on earth: 1970s Tasmania.
We laugh with and at Julian as he grows up in brazen defiance of what his father and Tasmanian society expect. He is fat, short-sighted and hates sport. He wants a doll. He styles his mother’s hair. He idolises Elizabeth Taylor and later David Bowie. When the kids play war, he stays in the fort because he wants to be a nurse. He’s so obviously gay (from about page 2) that the issue never needs to be addressed, which saves the book from being another self-righteous, self-pitying, adolescent diatribe about coming to terms with one’s sexuality. It’s sometimes agonising, but it’s always a comedy. I had no problems reading it in public without compromising my credentials as an upstanding member of heterosexual male society.
There’s plenty of humour and some wonderful imagery, and Julian has some cutting put-downs that keep the dialogue alive and fresh. While Julian is the main character, the subsidiary characters are well-rounded and often funny, especially his fearsome sister Carmel. This makes the heavy emphasis on dialogue very successful, and in terms of structure my only complaint is the early encounter between Julian’s father and a mystical Irish woman in the pub, which seems awkward, out-of-place and unnecessary.
Julian isn’t always a sympathetic character: in his mid-teens he becomes unpleasantly whining and selfish; but he keeps enough charm and individuality to retain the reader’s qualified sympathy and support.
Note: My edition of the book makes much of Julian finding “his ultimate calling as the creator of The Hog”. Since there is no mention of this till page 290 (of 339), it is hardly central to the book as a whole and, in publicity terms, is rather misleading.
We laugh with and at Julian as he grows up in brazen defiance of what his father and Tasmanian society expect. He is fat, short-sighted and hates sport. He wants a doll. He styles his mother’s hair. He idolises Elizabeth Taylor and later David Bowie. When the kids play war, he stays in the fort because he wants to be a nurse. He’s so obviously gay (from about page 2) that the issue never needs to be addressed, which saves the book from being another self-righteous, self-pitying, adolescent diatribe about coming to terms with one’s sexuality. It’s sometimes agonising, but it’s always a comedy. I had no problems reading it in public without compromising my credentials as an upstanding member of heterosexual male society.
There’s plenty of humour and some wonderful imagery, and Julian has some cutting put-downs that keep the dialogue alive and fresh. While Julian is the main character, the subsidiary characters are well-rounded and often funny, especially his fearsome sister Carmel. This makes the heavy emphasis on dialogue very successful, and in terms of structure my only complaint is the early encounter between Julian’s father and a mystical Irish woman in the pub, which seems awkward, out-of-place and unnecessary.
Julian isn’t always a sympathetic character: in his mid-teens he becomes unpleasantly whining and selfish; but he keeps enough charm and individuality to retain the reader’s qualified sympathy and support.
Note: My edition of the book makes much of Julian finding “his ultimate calling as the creator of The Hog”. Since there is no mention of this till page 290 (of 339), it is hardly central to the book as a whole and, in publicity terms, is rather misleading.
September 15, 2013
Well this was just a delightful book to pick up. Thanks to my cuz for the review that made me look it up. It is darkly hilarious. A twisted tale of interactions in a family where everyone is different (which really is all families) and not only different, but outside the social norm. What brilliant idea to set in in Tasmania during the 60s and 70s where intolerance of someone who was "one of those" was just the way life was then, aided by the fact that homosexuality was still a criminal offence of the worst kind. Like all clever humour, it is funny and deeply cutting at the same time. Brilliant read that just lifted my spirits at the perfect time.
March 18, 2021
Julian Corkle was destined to be different, his mother recognised his talent at his birth, his pizazz, even if his beer drinking sports mad father thought otherwise, all he wanted was for his son to be a sports enthusiast too. But his mother believes in his small-screenability, and encourages Julian even if he does prefer dolls to cricket balls, and his favourite pastime is styling her hair. So for Julian not the medical career as a doctor that his older brother strives for (unless it is to be a nurse), nor the sports career his ultra-butch sister looks to be heading for. No, Julian aims to be a star of the small screen, all he needs is that luck break to prove himself.
Julian narrates his own account of his struggle through school, where he survives by his wits, having enough sense to hide (temporarily) his difference, that is his preference for attractive boys and his colourful feminine tastes. He takes us through the disastrous family move from small-town Ulerstone, Tasmania, to Hobart, his early departure from school and his efforts to make that vital connection that will lead to stardom. But it seems he and his mother are the only ones to appreciate his talents.
Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar is an hilarious record of Julian's attempts to succeed, a very different coming of age tale. He quickly wins the reader's heart in his no holds barred account of his more often than not failures to achieve his goal, his refusal to keep his flamboyance hidden, and his not to be thwarted belief in himself. When he does eventually meet with success, it is not quite as he imagined it, yet he is nonetheless happy for it. Julian Corkle . . . is an endearing and extremely funny tale.
(pre-publication review copy)
Julian narrates his own account of his struggle through school, where he survives by his wits, having enough sense to hide (temporarily) his difference, that is his preference for attractive boys and his colourful feminine tastes. He takes us through the disastrous family move from small-town Ulerstone, Tasmania, to Hobart, his early departure from school and his efforts to make that vital connection that will lead to stardom. But it seems he and his mother are the only ones to appreciate his talents.
Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar is an hilarious record of Julian's attempts to succeed, a very different coming of age tale. He quickly wins the reader's heart in his no holds barred account of his more often than not failures to achieve his goal, his refusal to keep his flamboyance hidden, and his not to be thwarted belief in himself. When he does eventually meet with success, it is not quite as he imagined it, yet he is nonetheless happy for it. Julian Corkle . . . is an endearing and extremely funny tale.
(pre-publication review copy)
November 10, 2018
Sure it would be funny on screen.
November 11, 2012
I picked this book up purely on the attention grabbing cover and the great title.
Julian Corkle is a young boy growing up in Tasmania fighting for the spotlight. He's fully supported by his mother who reminds him always to "twinkle!" but discouraged by his surly father who wishes he'd show more interest in sports.
This is a joyful, colourful coming of age story set in Tasmania in the 70's. Julian tells dreadful, ill conceived lies, most of them concerning his own invented small screen career, idolises David Bowie and never stops looking for his opportunity to shine.
Julian's family and friends are all strongly written characters that variously delight, disgust and amuse. I whizzed through this book and emerged smiling a Julian Corkle fan. Recommend :)
You can watch my video review here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpr8Hd...
Julian Corkle is a young boy growing up in Tasmania fighting for the spotlight. He's fully supported by his mother who reminds him always to "twinkle!" but discouraged by his surly father who wishes he'd show more interest in sports.
This is a joyful, colourful coming of age story set in Tasmania in the 70's. Julian tells dreadful, ill conceived lies, most of them concerning his own invented small screen career, idolises David Bowie and never stops looking for his opportunity to shine.
Julian's family and friends are all strongly written characters that variously delight, disgust and amuse. I whizzed through this book and emerged smiling a Julian Corkle fan. Recommend :)
You can watch my video review here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpr8Hd...
November 5, 2014
I needed cheering up this week, and this was the book to do it! I loved Julian Corkle, and the rest of his family who truly came alive on the page. A feel good, and good feeling novel which deals with the issues of growing up as a gay child. But rather than being steeped in misery and despair the story is positive and humorous - so humorous that I laughed out loud on many occasions while reading it. This book is a celebration of life, love and family. If I had to give a trite description it would be to say that this is a sort of Tasmanian Adrian Mole - but gay, glam and gutsy.
Twinkle Twinkle Julian Corkle. You are indeed a star!
Twinkle Twinkle Julian Corkle. You are indeed a star!
August 15, 2016
Well this book was just hilarious in quite a dark way, even the sad bits were dealt with in a humourous way. Recommended by my husband who laughed out loud all the way through it. Julian Corkle is destined for stardom. He knows it, his mother knows it, his father just wants him to be normal and play sport. The story is set in Tasmania in the 60's & 70's when being gay could earn you a 25 year jail sentence. We follow Julian's journey and that of his dysfunctional family. Quite a different coming of age story. Julian was a completely off the wall character and I was sad to say goodbye to him!
November 20, 2011
So many books promise laughs out loud but quite frankly most do not deliver. Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar took me by surprise and had me laughing in the most idiotic manner. The novel is original and charming, a wonderful discovery. Julian believes he is destined for glory but the small world of Tasmania just won't let him be great. When things don't go as he plans, he simply lies -- to himself as well as to the world. I love this book. It reads a bit like a David Sedaris, a bit like Adrian Mole but add to this mix a big dose of quirky Australian humour. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2015
Honestly? This book was not what I expected at all. This book not only made me laugh out loud but was quite emotional at times too. Julian and Jimmy. Their romance throughout this book was spot on. I loved how Julian's sister turned out to be gay as well. The story was just a well thought out plot.
However the things that happened in this book were slightly strange.. Like, seriously. Do boys actually do this kind of thing as they grow up?..
Anyhow. That's beside the point. This was a fun, light and easy read and just what I needed.
However the things that happened in this book were slightly strange.. Like, seriously. Do boys actually do this kind of thing as they grow up?..
Anyhow. That's beside the point. This was a fun, light and easy read and just what I needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2010
A hilarious and heart wrenching tale about totally endearing character - Julian Corkle. If you want to laugh and cry inside this is the book for you. He is more of a fool than a filthy liar but a very lovable fool. It’s funny and original, with a mob of larger-than-life characters and sharp, hilarious dialogue. DJ Connell’s novel is a finely honed story. Oh boy she really does know how to write; it jumps of the page at you. The intelligence behind the humour is razor sharp.
August 5, 2012
The book was easy to read and deserves two stars for that. It's hugely forgettable. The main character is not that interesting, completely stereotyped. The characters in general are superficial, as much as the story. It wasn't either funny or moving, it was more like a succession of scenes without much of a connexion between them. The book is quite like the character, he wants to be a huge star but waits for it to happen without making any efforts.
February 3, 2015
Definitely 5 stars. Julian Corkle is growing up in Tasmania in the 1970s when a 25 year prison sentence was possible for men caught in a homosexual act. This is Julian's coming out story and it's great fun as well as being quite moving at times. It's also his sister Carmel's coming out story but she didn't have such a long journey! It's not often that a book makes me laugh out loud. Thoroughly enjoyable.
January 11, 2014
Not quite what I expected ; perhaps more accurately titled 'A parents guide to understanding their gay children' - nonetheless a well written and entertaining tale that in often great/humorous detail outlined the trials and tribulations of the gender challenged Julian growing up in Tasmania at a time where coming out of the cupboard was something not even to be considered.
June 13, 2010
Julian is a gay Adrian Mole living in Tasmania, Australia. I couldn't get the motivation to finish this book before courtesy required me to return it to the person who lent it to me. What more can I say?
March 23, 2011
a funny and touching story about a boy from Tasmania in the 70's, he wants to be a star like Franck Sinatra and Yves Saint Laurent, wich is quite impossible in his dysfunctional family.
This book reminds me "Little Miss sunshine"
This book reminds me "Little Miss sunshine"
August 18, 2013
An enjoyable light read. Julian Corkle is a kind of gay Tasmanian Adrian Mole.
He's not a very likeable character and the story has plenty of dark moments. But you just know it'll all come good in the end.
He's not a very likeable character and the story has plenty of dark moments. But you just know it'll all come good in the end.
Read
September 13, 2013I thought this book could be fun to read. I found it funny in places. It was entertaining. The story line was good about a boy growing up unsure of his sexually and finding himself. Typical of the past years attitude of homosexually.
April 7, 2014
Growing up Gay in 1970s & 1980s Tasmania .... a really sweet coming of age novel. Very funny and an easy read. Dad is so homophobic and paranoid about how is son is turning out but completely fails to notice something about his daughter.
June 16, 2010
My gay stereotyping that you would get in a whole series of "Are you being Served?" But I still like it
March 2, 2011
Ha ha ha - I really enjoyed this.
May 8, 2011
Funniest book I have read in a very long time. Sparkling!
December 4, 2011
Funny coming-of-age story, set in Tasmania.
January 23, 2012
Lots of out loud laughs, but also lots of sad moments. Julian is such a great character - you love him and feel sorry for him all at once.
September 26, 2013
Very very funny, made me laugh out loud!
November 13, 2015
I didn't really like Julian.... but it was a good story
May 5, 2016
Funny book, Julian and his family are hilarious even when they are being serious! Subject matter could be subdued but Connell doesn't portray it that way. Easy, fun read.
January 8, 2017
I was disappointed with this book. Character development seems to have been overlooked. It was mildly entertaining.
Read
December 12, 2011Loved it! Think Aussie Art House.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews