Whatever Next!

The Hopkins Family Saga #7

by Billy Hopkins

An enchanting new episode in the fictionalised life of Billy Hopkins, with whom readers have travelled happily since his birth in 1920s Manchester, through the war years and on to the swinging sixties.

Billy Hopkins is thrilled to be released from the trials and tribulations of teaching when he takes early retirement. He's just buzzing with ideas for filling his time and making a spare buck - whether it's investing in apparently fail-safe business enterprises, starting up himself as an entrepreneur specialising in doll's houses or writing up the story of his life. Only one of those is likely to have the desired result on the financial front - but Billy's hilarious descriptions of his efforts, together with lovely glimpses of his ever-expanding family, make WHATEVER NEXT! a delightful and absolutely satisfying novel, which will update on-going readers and introduce many new ones to the unique world of the Hopkins household.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book feeling sad. Not because of the book itself, but because there will be no more. I have loved all of Billy Hopkins books. R.I.P Billy. You'll be missed by thousands.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in my hotel room in St. Lucia while on my honeymoon and decided to start reading it. Am I ever glad I did! Billy Hopkins is a delightful person, quite honest about his imperfections, and ever-hopeful. I was laughing and crying throughout reading this book -- and it provided much for me to talk about with my husband on our trip. When he wrote about experiencing a difficult financial loss, I cried when I read about the grace with which his wife handled the news. When he wrote about how aggravating it can be when the grandkids visit, and yet how empty the house feels when they leave, I cried. When he wrote about the exuberance he felt when he decided to go into business building doll houses, and how he and his business partner "would insist on orderly queues!" I was laughing so hard! This book is like a coming of age for the retirement stage of life, and I found it utterly refreshing.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank goodness....
I noticed that this book had rave reviews and wondered what I was missing because the first half of this book was like listening to 5 hours of "Grumpy Old Men". Not just grumpy, but infuriating. I don't know how his wife stuck it. Then, luckily he started talking about his early life and how he became an author etc & the tone changed completely. Phew.
It was only during the course of listening to this book, that I realize he has written many others about his life. Some of those sound like 'treasures' that people relate to. If I get the chance, I will try "Our Kid".

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the book before 'Our Billy' I thought I'd try out the sequel. Not bad, enjoyable but not as captivating as OB.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expect this is the last in the series of Billy Hopkins books.

Didn't enjoy it as much as all the previous books as it was just a recapping of how he came to this point in his life!

[Julie Jobling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel I have been on a journey with Billy so happy he made it in the end. Glad he never gave up.

[Alison Hurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny in places