Morbid Relations

by Jonathan Whitelaw

Robert Argyll is a failing stand up comedian. To make matters worse, he drinks too much, can't hold down a relationship and is going nowhere fast.

When he gets the news of his mother's death, he reluctantly makes the journey home to be with his estranged family.

Battling the eclectic bunch of misfits, do-gooders and general nuisances with his usual sarcasm and wit, Robert is faced with a heartbreaking decision as he tries to keep what remains of his family together.

Genres: Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2013

Reviews

[Selina Trafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

the main character was very annoying and seemed to be very self pitying, as the story progressed he changed as tragedy entered his life. The change was for the best he was less selfish and started to turn his life around. there were a couple of real laugh out loud moments and a few where i just smiled to myself. i really enjoyed this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of Robert Argyll and his family though it could just as easily be a story about any family.

Robert Argyll left his home in Glasgow for the bright lights of London and a career as a stand up comedian, in which he had limited success. He never felt he really fitted into his family and whn he was told that his mother had cancer he put off going back home until it was too late. The news of his mother’s death hit him harder than he thought it would and he hastily organised a return to the family home and his 2 sisters in Glasgow.

At the start of the book I found myself quite annoyed by Rob, I found him to be a bit arrogant and condescending but as the book progressed and he started thinking more about his sisters and a bit less of himself I found myself warming to him.

As the arrangements were made for his mother’s funeral he began to realise that the world wasn’t all about him, though I felt that at some deeper level he already knew this but just wasn’t ready to accept it.

Some parts of the book were verging on laugh out loud and others had me on the verge of tears. I found this book quite thought provoking, partly because I also come from Glasgow and some of the character traits of the average Glaswegian (if there is such a thing) mentioned in the book caused a few moments of self reflection, but also because Rob’s journey often made me think about how I would react in the same circumstances.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as a first novel it is a brilliant piece of writing. I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks to the TBC for a free advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Argyll is the black sheep of the family. He is a stand-up comedian (a bad one) and, all truth told, not a really nice person. He hadn't been back home for several years even though his mother has been ill a little while. Upon her death he, reluctantly, returns to Scotland eager to make things right by his family. The book hits the ground running with cringworthy moments, laugh-out-loud moments and the odd really touching moment. I related to this book as I have also been through the deaths of both my own parents in vaguely similar circumstances, although me and my brother were (and still are) close and so it all went rather more smoothly than for the Argylls. I especially liked some of the banter and bickering between the characters!
The writing style was such that the story flowed well and was easy to read. Both storyline and characters came across as real and there were some lovely descriptions of Glasgow and indeed Glaswegians! I would certainly read another book by the author.

I received a free copy of this book from the author via THE Book Club in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a rite of passage many of us go through at some stage, the burning desire to escape our parents and the dull lives they lead, lured by the promise of more interesting and fulfilling experiences. However, the reality is, that as one gets older, there is often a comfort to be found in that dullness, but some of us don't realise it till our loved ones are gone and it's too late to regain that once reassuring warmth of family. Such is the experience of Rob Argyll, comedian and neglectful son, who, when his mother dies, mourns not just for her, but for all the things he didn't do when she was alive. He determines to do better and the book deals with his bumbling attempts to repair his relationship with his sisters and be the brother he should have been. There were moments that made me cringe, particularly Rob's funeral speech, but he's a likeable idiot who comes good in what is essentially a heartwarming and feel-good book. An enjoyable book that seemed to leave the door open for a sequel...

Thank you to THE Book Club and to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews, follow me at https://www.facebook.com/PrincessTami...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Morbid Relations is the authors debut novel.

As debut novels go Morbid Relations is pretty darn good.

The story focuses on Robert Argyll who to say at best is a pretty dismal stand up comedian. After the sad news of his mothers death he goes back home to see the rest of his family.

To start with I thought the story was ok, I can't say it really grabbed me as I found it quite a sombre read to begin with but as the story progressed I began to enjoy the story for what it is. Morbid Relations pretty much is a story about family and the relationships within that family. The sense and feeling of Robert and his family for me comes more into its own over half way through as I personally think we see more of the brother/sister relationship by this point.

Towards the end of the book the story left me feeling all warm and cosy and I absolutely loved the ending. It did leave me wondering though if this isn't the last we have seen of Robert and his family and I for one would like to see more.

Many Thanks to The Book Club and the author for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Donna Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written debut novel about family and dysfunctional relationships, set against the back drop of my adopted city of Glasgow. It had the right mix of wit and pathos, dealing with the aftermath of the death of Rob Argyll's mother and the effect on the failing comedian's relationships with his sisters, Mindy and Wendy and their partners. Rob hasn't been back to Glasgow in years and reluctantly heads north for the funeral. He doesn't come across as a particularly pleasant individual at the beginning of the book. In fact, I didn't really like his sisters either - though his brother in law seemed a decent sort! As the book progressed through arguments and dawning understanding, I began to warm towards Rob and the girls and to sympathise with their plight. No family is perfect and this one had its ups and downs like any other.
The descriptions of Glasgow were great - the paragraph about the chip on the shoulder was so true, and the portrayal of the characteristics of typical Glaswegians was cleverly done.
Thanks to the author and TBC for a review copy of this book.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book. Rob (Rab professionally) is a comedian in London who ends up back to his roots and challenging his life and thoughts when his mother dies back in Glasgow. His virtues, mind set and lifestyle are all challenged in this tale of family values, relations and life in general.
I love this man and his values- in the early pages the mention of a favourite Eurythmics track and later on saying “if you have never had proper home cooking then you are missing the best food in the world”.
There is food for thought in this book for all of us, some more reflective than others. Rob is the big brother I never had!
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review

[Jackie Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Whitelaw is a debut novelist and as such I wasn't sure what to expect. All I knew for certain was it wasn't my usual kind of book.

Rob Argyll is an unsuccessful stand-up comedian. Following his mother's death he returns home to Glasgow and his dysfunctional family.

Jonathan is extremely astute at describing relationships and emotions. There were tomes when I felt quite tearful. No family is perfect, they all have their ups and downs and this is portrayed beautifully.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys examining the intricacies of family relationships.

I look forward to reading more by Mr. Whitelaw.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't like the Rob, the main character, to begin with but I really warmed to him as the story continued. This story could be about any family going through the same problems and that is what I loved about the book. I laughed and cried on a few occasions throughout. I live a 20 minute drive from Glasgow so I could relate to many places mentioned in the book. Many thanks to the author and TBC for the ARC.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent this by THE Book Club for an honest review. I struggled with this at first, mostly because I found the main character/narrator pretty obnoxious. However I warmed to him towards the end & was glad that I had persevered. It passed a long car journey quite nicely.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've ploughed through this in record time (for me), slow start but really enjoyed this heart warming gritty tale!

[Jessica O'callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book...just not my cup of tea.
Got to 14% in and couldn't read any more.
Morbid relations. Jonathan Whitelaw.
received from TBC in exchange for an honest review