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Trading Vincent Crow
Vince Crow had been party to a revelation the day before that was going to change his life forever. He was no longer one of the small town crowd that delighted in tales of vomiting into plant pots. Vince Crow was about to start living life differently.
Vince Crow had heard somewhere that you could trade a piece of useless junk on the internet and, within a year of swapping it for better and better things, get cool stuff. Crow decided that he himself was going to start off as that piece of tat, jump from one job to the next; indeed, he would trade one lifestyle for a new one, until he was finally a success. Every three months he would have to trade-up for an entirely new life – a new job, a new girl, new wheels, a new pad, new threads – until he reached the top.
The plan of comparing himself to a used item traded over the internet was of course marginally flawed, as there is a human factor to all of this which he’d overlooked. Besides, success isn’t just about work. It’s about the car, the clothes, the house, and getting the girl, so changing all of that with every new trade upwards is a lot more difficult than swapping an old stereo in the classifieds. Crow quickly learns what the price of success really is. An education he would never have got if he had gone to college...
Vince Crow had heard somewhere that you could trade a piece of useless junk on the internet and, within a year of swapping it for better and better things, get cool stuff. Crow decided that he himself was going to start off as that piece of tat, jump from one job to the next; indeed, he would trade one lifestyle for a new one, until he was finally a success. Every three months he would have to trade-up for an entirely new life – a new job, a new girl, new wheels, a new pad, new threads – until he reached the top.
The plan of comparing himself to a used item traded over the internet was of course marginally flawed, as there is a human factor to all of this which he’d overlooked. Besides, success isn’t just about work. It’s about the car, the clothes, the house, and getting the girl, so changing all of that with every new trade upwards is a lot more difficult than swapping an old stereo in the classifieds. Crow quickly learns what the price of success really is. An education he would never have got if he had gone to college...
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2012
About the author
D.C.J. Wardle
3 booksD.C.J. Wardle is the author of humorous novel Trading Vincent Crow. In January 2013 he was author of the month at www.lovewriting.co.uk. Holding post-graduate qualifications in development management as well as community water supply engineering, over the past sixteen years he has worked in developing countries in Africa and Asia, managing emergency and development programmes.
http://www.dcjwardle.co.uk/
http://www.dcjwardle.co.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 24, 2015
Trading Vincent Crow is a book of British dark humour. Don't let the title put you off. We first meet Vincent Crow employed in a lowly job as kitchen pot-washer in a pub called "The Carrot and Jam Kettle" in the Midlands of England; it's New Year's Eve. Vowing not to be stuck in this job forever Vince decides it's time to aim higher, he's got a trade-up plan to better himself in life.
Through luck and keeping his eyes open to opportunities, his head on his shoulders and his strict three month trade-up rule Vince finds himself as; a bar-man, a factory worker, a London hotel receptionist, a temporary hotel manager, a London cabbie, a Porsche driving Chauffeur, a Pub manager and ends his year with an offer to run a business in Asia.
I did find the first part of the book a bit slow, it pre-dates the internet boom and the social networking of today, but once Vince got to London, the book picked up and had me chuckling along. The black-market world of the foreign Europeans and their scheming hard-working ways to make money poked fun at the more gullible Westerners. I particularly warmed to Vince's Nan when he came home and her colourful language, plus there is a delightful episode with a Tiger in Asia.
A quick read and definitely one with a few giggles along the way.
Through luck and keeping his eyes open to opportunities, his head on his shoulders and his strict three month trade-up rule Vince finds himself as; a bar-man, a factory worker, a London hotel receptionist, a temporary hotel manager, a London cabbie, a Porsche driving Chauffeur, a Pub manager and ends his year with an offer to run a business in Asia.
I did find the first part of the book a bit slow, it pre-dates the internet boom and the social networking of today, but once Vince got to London, the book picked up and had me chuckling along. The black-market world of the foreign Europeans and their scheming hard-working ways to make money poked fun at the more gullible Westerners. I particularly warmed to Vince's Nan when he came home and her colourful language, plus there is a delightful episode with a Tiger in Asia.
A quick read and definitely one with a few giggles along the way.
February 8, 2016
I enjoyed Vincent's year of Trading, all the twists & turns were amusing and the fact that he took it all in his stride, playing everything to this advantage.
July 26, 2013
Going nowhere in a basically nowhere place, Vince Crow knows there needs to be a change and, in one inspired moment, he realizes the change must be him. He will focus on a job – in the first case, becoming the bartender instead of the dishwasher – get that job and thus work his way up the ladder to SOMETHING BIG.
Wardle’s descriptions of Vincent, his employer and wife, his hoping for more and all the characters in this book really kept my interest. The humor throughout was wonderful and fit my own sense of humor perfectly.
By putting himself on the “Craigslist of Life”, Vincent Crow learns more than he ever would have in school and, I think you’ll be interested in reading his journey.
Wardle’s descriptions of Vincent, his employer and wife, his hoping for more and all the characters in this book really kept my interest. The humor throughout was wonderful and fit my own sense of humor perfectly.
By putting himself on the “Craigslist of Life”, Vincent Crow learns more than he ever would have in school and, I think you’ll be interested in reading his journey.
September 30, 2013
Trading Vincent Crow by D.C.J. Wardle is a witty, fast paced and brilliantly written tale that will give you many laugh out loud moments, and keep you page turning from the beginning all the way through to the very end.
The protagonist, Vince Crow, having heard of Internet trading, decides that trading lifestyles rather than goods is his way to achieve success and so having devised his 3 months trade up rule, his adventures begin.
Full of colourful, quirky and larger than life characters -Vince’s Nan, Natalie and Dennis, Gustav the Pole and Nikolai, Radoslaw and Kaspar-to name but a few, loved the analogy of the 3 researchers to the 3 Kings- we have a humorous and highly recommended read.
I very much look forward to the next D.C.J. Wardle novel.
The protagonist, Vince Crow, having heard of Internet trading, decides that trading lifestyles rather than goods is his way to achieve success and so having devised his 3 months trade up rule, his adventures begin.
Full of colourful, quirky and larger than life characters -Vince’s Nan, Natalie and Dennis, Gustav the Pole and Nikolai, Radoslaw and Kaspar-to name but a few, loved the analogy of the 3 researchers to the 3 Kings- we have a humorous and highly recommended read.
I very much look forward to the next D.C.J. Wardle novel.
August 26, 2013
This is an unassuming, light hearted, at times laugh out loud novel. A journey that I think most people would recognise, the struggles of wanting to do better in life. Vincent Crow, a young man who is fed up with washing pots, wants to 'trade up' every couple of months, his job, wheels, girl and threads. Deception and complete craziness ensues. Vince is nonchalant and so he stumbles on through these trades, not noticing his own luck. It really is like the blind leading the blind. Many characters in here, from all walks of life but by far Vincent's nan is the one that will make you smile.
I thought it was an alright read, but some parts were slow and dull, bit forgetful to be honest. I persevered as I wanted to know what would become of Vincent Crow! I'm glad I did. Not bad.
I thought it was an alright read, but some parts were slow and dull, bit forgetful to be honest. I persevered as I wanted to know what would become of Vincent Crow! I'm glad I did. Not bad.
September 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, as a reader and as a writer. I enjoyed the humor and as in other reviews, found myself with real "out loud" giggles. As an avid reader, I found myself engaged. As a writer I admired the pace. Never getting lost in the story and no dull spots. DCJ kept the story moving and kept my mind thinking. The premise of the story is an intriguing venture into what ends up being a philosophical walk. I liked the overall tone and residual I took from the story. I was on vacation at the beach, with a bit of hesitation at first wanting to read a new author(to me), and I am glad I did. I recommend this author and look forward to more coming! Great work!
July 10, 2013
I really love the style of Wardle's writing - you can easily see why there is the comparison with PG Wodehouse (of Jeeves and Wooster fame) on the Amazon website reviews.
I originally stumbled upon the website for the book (http://www.dcjwardle.co.uk/)a while ago and listened to the podcast there - that was very funny so I purchased the book and so glad I did.
If you want to read something to make you smile or even to laugh out loud and like a book that's hard to put down, this is it.
I originally stumbled upon the website for the book (http://www.dcjwardle.co.uk/)a while ago and listened to the podcast there - that was very funny so I purchased the book and so glad I did.
If you want to read something to make you smile or even to laugh out loud and like a book that's hard to put down, this is it.
March 31, 2015
What a wonderful holiday read, so easy to pick up and put down. Really enjoyed this story, the author brings fantastic humour as well as brilliant descriptions. I loved all the characters in the book especially Vince's nan when he came home. I really look forward to the sequel and what else the author has in the future.
August 30, 2013
A very funny and light read. I enjoyed the concept of this book and I feel many people may be able to relate to certain parts of it.
April 1, 2015
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews