Back Trouble

by Clare Chambers

Almost forty, newly single with a failed business, Philip thought he’d reached an all-time low. Then a greasy french fry on the sidewalk literally lands him on his back. Stuck in bed and bored, Phillip decides to write his life story. But his mundane catalogue of daily trivia reveals surprisingly comic and touching truths.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Humor, Adult Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 1994

About the author

Clare Chambers was born on 1966 in in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK, daughter of English teachers. She attended a school in Croydon. At 16, she met Peter, her future husband, a teacher 14 years old than her. She read English at Oxford. The marriage moved to New Zealand, where she wrote her first novel. She now lives in Kent with her husband and young family. In 1999, her novel Learning to Swim won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip, the book’s rather hapless hero, has a ton of problems on his plate. The failure of his business means he fears every knock on the door may be a bailiff, his relationship with his girlfriend Kate seems as if it might be at an end, and his relationship with his rather bombastic father is strained. His life has been one of serial underachievement and a reluctance to commit. ‘I was addicted to the idea of transition – in jobs that couldn’t last, in temporary accommodation, in transient relationships.’

Philip’s enforced period of immobility provides the motivation he needs to embark on – finally – writing a book: the story of his life. He is determined to recount events with total accuracy, noting ‘After all, this is an autobiography, not fiction’. Excerpts from his autobiography alternate with more recent events in his life, particularly the course of his relationship with Kate.

The author has unerring eye for the little details of domestic life. If you are a child of the 1960s, many of Philip’s memories of his early years will strike a chord – Friday bath nights, the unvarying weekly menu of familiar dishes, the annual holiday in seaside guest houses. Episodes are described with humour and often a touch of the absurd. But there also some touching scenes.

Although Back Trouble doesn’t have the emotional heft of Small Pleasures (which I loved), it’s still an enjoyable read with some amusingly eccentric characters and an engaging protagonist. And it’s ending is certain to leave you with a warm feeling.

[Emer Tannam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I’ve read quite a few of Clare Chamber’s books by now, and this one falls into the category of enjoyable, funny, but not particularly moving. It is very funny, in that grumpy British way, but I wasn’t really sure what the heart of the book is. The narrator’s relationship with his girlfriend? But I hardly got a sense of her as a character. His childhood? His parents?

There’s something weirdly innocent about her writing as well sometimes. His school friend runs off with a teacher and not much fuss is made of it.

Then there are a couple of annoyances like when the narrator says he can barely remember the concert he performed in and then goes on to describe it in great detail.

But it’s definitely enjoyable if not a change-yer-lifer.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read and loved other books by Clare Chambers but this is awful. The first person narration is really clunky in places (was there no editor?). I think we're supposed to find the narrator's ineptitude appealing but he's just very irritating. Same for the cast of quirky characters. There's one interesting moment towards the end that refers back to an earlier incident but I had to look back in the book as I hadn't even remembered it. There was potential but definitely a book in need of a good edit/rewrite.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am finding it impossible to believe that Clare Chambers has ever written a book below 5 stars. ‘Back Trouble’ is another equally funny and touching story of relationships, family dynamics and how life has a strange way of working out for the best, especially at times when it feels like things can’t get any worse. Beautifully flawed characters; my very favourite kind.

[Elizabeth Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Small Pleasures, but an enjoyable short read, which made me feel quite sad in places and laugh out loud in others.

[Debbi Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is 30 years old, it evoked memories of a bygone era, pre Internet, pre social media, pre mobile phones. When life was more simple, but not necessarily better. Just such a great yarn when you slip on a chip and you do your back in. Forced into 3 months of recovery gives Philip an opportunity to recall his childhood and put it into a book. For those of us born in the swinging 60s, it's a mind jogging reminder of growing up in the 70s. Loved this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her later books a bit bleak but still full of good characters

[Alli Tandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. A piercing and, at times, funny look at family life.

[Miracle Meryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I think about this book, my heart breaks and makes me want to cry. The author hides the sadness of the story behind humorous writing, and she does an amazing job of it.

I’ve never felt so devastated watching someone be left behind, seeing himself as someone destined to be alone ever since childhood. The line that breaks my heart the most is:
"And it occurred to me that ever since I was very young it had been my destiny to be left behind: a string of friends, relatives, mentors, and lovers had moved on and left me standing."

The novel follows Philip, who is approaching forty, newly single, and struggling with a failed business. After an accident leaves him bedridden, he finds himself stuck in his thoughts. Bored, he decides to write the story of his life. As his memories unfold, surprising revelations revealed. Lying in bed, he reflects on his past choices, failed relationships, and uncertain future. But maybe, there’s still hope for a happy ending, right?

This book is the perfect escape—it’s moving and funny, yet as a reader, you can’t help but feel the painful observations woven throughout the story.

This is my first Clare Chambers book, and I am looking forward to reading more of her works.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am continuing to work through Clare Chambers’ back catalogue as my comfort reads and have as yet to be disappointed.
Here the chapters alternate between a coming of age story and that of the same character’s more recent romance. It has all the aspects I have come to expect of Chambers’ writing; a very British comedy of manners, witty and wry writing and a twist at the end. In fact as it is a dual timeline story, we have 2 twists! Perhaps not quite as much spark as some of her other books or perhaps it is because her writing is becoming more familiar to me so probably a 3.5.

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another 2 star for me, which is very unusual. I had high expectations for this book as I LOVED Small Pleasures, but this was just not anywhere near that level.
I found the whole book fairly pointless, for me, not enough actually happened and a lot of the time I was completely lost and had no idea what was going on. There were bits I enjoyed but these were vast and far between.
I would not recommend this book, stick with Small Pleasures.

[Dorothy Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this, which was a shame. The characters were amusing but at a distance: in other books by Clare Chambers I can feel and smell the eiderdown - there's always something, from somewhere in my childhood. The premise of the bad back to write the autobiography also felt clumsy. A shame.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as popular as her other books on Good Reads but I remember enjoying it immensely; a beautiful foray into the slice-of-life genre with many themes deftly handled. Read in 2 days between plane rides 👌

[Judy Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

very funny, a light laugh out loud read

[Cabbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clare Chambers's Back Trouble isn't my usual sort of thing, but it's a pleasant enough way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

It's narrated by Philip, a 40ish-year-old man who lives in south London. His self-improvement publishing business, "Backlist Books", had failed. He's facing "bailiffs, repossession orders, threatening letters and ...various personal debts," and his girlfriend Kate has just returned to New Zealand. To cap it all off, when walking home Philip "slipped on a discarded chip, felt something in [his] back go twang, and ended up on [his] hands and knees in the debris." Laid up in bed, Philip decides to write a memoir which forms the body of Chambers's book.

It's part romance and part coming-of-age, each of which is dealt with in alternate chapters. We witness the evolution of Philip's childhood and adolescence, and his relationship with Kate. Since romance is not my bag, I much preferred the childhood chapters which were full of gentle humour. A lot of Philip's memories chimed with my own family life. For instance, "bath night", Mum's seven recipes that "appeared inexorably on their designated day week after week, year after year", and Dad always getting the best piece of meat. The portrayal of school life was recognizable, and the teenage party spot-on.

Overall it was well written, perfectly paced, and with a very satisfying reveal. A happy ending resolves the somewhat melancholy story, and my 2-star rating merely reflects the fact that it's not really my type of thing.

[Dakota · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love Clare's direct way of writing, I just felt a kind of disconnect with this story. Maybe because it was mostly flashbacks to Phillip's childhood and the year before the present setting so there was a lot of back and forth. I didn't quite connect with the characters and while I can appreciate the writing of Chambers, this one just didn't do it for me.

[Rachel Gambin · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

[Nicoletta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Per la prima volta Clare Chambers mi delude. é un libro breve ma per buona parte mi sono domandata quando sarebbe iniziato. La risposta é a 20 pagine dalla fine, quando avevo ormai perso le speranze.

[Kaytee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable wry sharply observed account of the lives of post war poor London family of most interest to the generation who lived it, and descendants engaged in family history since it gives such an accurate account of London families in the 50’s through 70’s. Best enjoyed in audiobook as the characters come alive more. Also puts paid to the trope that boomers enjoyed privileged easy lives. Most really didn’t.

[Katharine Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books by Clare Chambers. This one, like her others, is beautifully observed. There is so much meaning in the small things. The central character, Philip, is funny, engaging and somewhat hapless, but I really rooted for him and was so pleased by the ending.

[Lauren pavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your like me then your fed up of this British weather. That rainy days weather that’s too warm for a coat ... no thank you, but the one small plus to those rainy days is that I can still snuggle up in an armchair with a cup of tea and a cosy read, and this my booksta buddies is the perfect companion to that steaming mug of tea or coffee.

This novel is about Philip, a man in his late 30s whose life takes a nosedive. His business flops, his girlfriend leaves, and a rogue chip sends him flat on his back. Laid up, Philip decides to chronicle his life story. What unfolds is a funny and touching exploration of relationships, family secrets, and finding meaning in the midst of misfortune.
Chambers masterfully weaves between Philip's present struggles and his past experiences. This dual timeline allows us to see how past events have shaped him into the person he is today. The characters, particularly Philip himself, are beautifully flawed and relatable. Their vulnerabilities and anxieties feel genuine, making us root for them as they navigate life's challenges.
The novel is not without its humor. Chambers has a knack for finding amusement in everyday situations, even amidst Philip's misfortunes. Her witty observations and insightful social commentary add a layer of charm to the story. It's a reminder that life rarely goes according to plan, but even detours can lead us to unexpected and fulfilling destinations.

I wasn't expecting to love a book about back pain, but Chambers' witty writing and relatable characters won me over.

I read Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers last year and it is a book I have never stopping recommending and I feel that I may be become a Clare chambers Uber fan, sorry tbr shelf your about to get a big back catalogue of books arriving.

Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good redemption story.

[Sally Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how I missed such an enjoyable writer for so long, but I was delighted to see there was quite a list of novels under her name when I looked something up the other day. In a sense several of the ones I have read so far (though not all) have been 'similar' in that they are about dysfunctional (or perhaps just deeply quirky) families, but each family and each story structure has been different enough for that to be absolutely fine. This time it is Philip, toggling back and forth between life now (which is in smoething of a trough) and life in his family as a child. And it is every bit as absorbing and entertaining as others of hers I have read. With some acutely neat observations thrown in.
I am now on nodding terms with many of them but, having failed to introduce ourselves properly on the first few occasions, we are all acutely aware that it is now too late, and out of mutual embarrassment nodding is as far as we go.
Or as the child of a cook by the days parent ...
In fact the only way to avoid Saturday’s hotpot was to drown in Friday’s bath.
She doesn't cartoon things but she manages to pick up on tiny elements of everyday lives that are deeply familiar and somehow stretch them to a revelatory point.

[Joana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip is going through a rough patch: his business has collapsed, he's in debt and his relationship ended. To top it all, he hurts his back in a fall and he needs to lay lown for a few weeks. He decides to write a book about his life, something that people had suggested to him before. Given this scenario, I expected Philip to have a great life-story to tell, but with all due respect he didn't. His life didn't seem any more extraordinary than any Joe Bloggs. Some developments did occur but apparently only after he had finished writing his book.

Other than that, as with other Clare Chambers's books, I enjoyed the style of writing, it's entertaining, it's personal and easy to engage. Just nothing too extraordinary in this story.

[Philip Rawson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book about a loveable loser - a character almost as contrived and formulaic as the situations he finds himself in. Luckily he has a strong minded girl friend who somehow puts up with him. By page thirty the adjective loveable could be replaced by tiresome. Having said that - it's very well written - just unoriginal... Nicky Hornby cornered that market on the weak, flippant lad and the strong serious woman dynamic, didn't he?

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on Libby (audiobook) and loved it!

It’s so beautifully written. Funny. Relatable.

The ending was just perfect.

Tell the story of a man hurting his back, and when injured he writes his biography. Tell the story of his childhood, finding out his father wasn’t his real Dad, his father dying and his relationship with Kate (who moves back to New Zealand). The ending Kate comes back to say she is pregnant and they get back together ❤️

[Elizabeth Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Chambers is an accomplished novelist. she draws you in to whoevers life she is painting with such ease and speed you become quite lost in the narrative. there were also a couple of laugh out loud lines in here, and a few awful characters sketched in by details which instantly make them recognisable and despised. It isnt as good as the later novels in my opinion but still relatable and enjoyable.

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her weakest book by miles

I thought I had read all of Clare Chambers's books but I missed this one out. I wish I still had. Either I have changed in the intervening decade or this book is much inferior to her other works. I loved the rest of her books and while this has its moments the plot is feeble and the story non-existent.

[L M Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Another enjoyable read. I loved the childhood part of the book and the stories about Philip's parents and their odd relationship, the meal schedule and the Friday night baths.I'm still laughing at the dad's attempts at decorating . I don't think it's as special as Learning to Swim but it's still a great read!

[Kate Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

At a very low point in his life Philip is struck down with a back injury. During this time he writes and reflects on his childhood, which enables him to make decisions which move his life on constructively. That’s it, really, it’s a quiet but engaging read, I was caught up in both his past and present story. I didn’t like it as much as Small Pleasures, but enjoyed it and would read more by her.

[Miss · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining yarn

This is a quick, easy and upbeat read with a few revelations along the way to keep you interested. The people are well described and believable. There were some unusual words dotted throughout that felt out of place with the style of writing. Also some offensive words/descriptions that are jarring to read it in 2023.