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Mainlander
The thrilling debut from comedy writer and stand up star, Will Smith – a novel about loneliness, about not belonging and about the corroding effects of keeping secrets.
Jersey 1987, and the storm clouds are gathering over Colin Bygate, a Mainlander married to an Islander. When he first arrived, he fell for the Island’s heathered headlands and golden coves, its winding lanes and sweeping tides, its background hum of Frenchness. But now he strikes a dissonant note.
Sitting on an outcrop stewing after a row with his wife, schoolteacher Colin spots one of his pupils near the edge of a cliff. Worried that the boy may have intended to jump, he drives him home, hoping that his gloomy imagination was playing tricks. But when the boy fails to turn up to school the next day,Colin feels duty-bound to track him down, pitting him against the Island establishment who would rather there was a little less noise around this particular absence.
A web of characters is spun around this mystery, each with his or her own secrets. In Jersey, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, you must become your own island.
Jersey 1987, and the storm clouds are gathering over Colin Bygate, a Mainlander married to an Islander. When he first arrived, he fell for the Island’s heathered headlands and golden coves, its winding lanes and sweeping tides, its background hum of Frenchness. But now he strikes a dissonant note.
Sitting on an outcrop stewing after a row with his wife, schoolteacher Colin spots one of his pupils near the edge of a cliff. Worried that the boy may have intended to jump, he drives him home, hoping that his gloomy imagination was playing tricks. But when the boy fails to turn up to school the next day,Colin feels duty-bound to track him down, pitting him against the Island establishment who would rather there was a little less noise around this particular absence.
A web of characters is spun around this mystery, each with his or her own secrets. In Jersey, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, you must become your own island.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2015
7 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Will Smith
6 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Will Smith is a British comedian, actor, author,and screenwriter. Born and brought up on the island of Jersey, he now lives in London.
Will Smith is a British comedian, actor, author,and screenwriter. Born and brought up on the island of Jersey, he now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 3, 2017
Pretty disappointed with this one. There is actually a lot to recommend - most of the plot strands are interesting, intriguing and/or amusing - and it's immensely readable. But it's an immensely hollow read. Most of the characters range between despicable and reprehensible, and the central "mystery" is not only a lazy Macguffin, but it's resolution seems designed to piss the reader off. The time setting - 1987 - seems designed just so Smith can rifle through his Mark Knopfler and Marillion cassettes and make an incredible obvious signposted "reveal" about the Wall Street crash. Does Will Smith hate women? It sure seems like it. Even Debbie, the only seemingly innocent in this place, makes ill-judged passes in the name of Romanticism and is made to suffer for
It. In some ways the only forgivable character in this Jersey Island soap opera is the disgustingly smarmy and entitled Rob de la Haye - at least he is an honest interpretation of a defiantly irredeemable scumbag...
It. In some ways the only forgivable character in this Jersey Island soap opera is the disgustingly smarmy and entitled Rob de la Haye - at least he is an honest interpretation of a defiantly irredeemable scumbag...
dnf
December 6, 2019After reading the blurb I expected claustrophobia. The feeling you get in small villages - or in this case an island - where everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. And the book does this a bit (there's a great scene where one of the characters is desperately searching for a road on the island she doesn't know yet, fails and almost has a breakdown) but even more it's a book with one of my least favourite tropes: The Village With A Secret which it defends with full force against The Outsider. I just can't stand it at all.
November 17, 2017
I don't know why, but there was something very likeable about this book, even though aspects of it annoyed me. If Will Smith decides to write more novels, I'll certainly give them a try.
The story has three main characters: Colin, who's searching for a missing schoolboy; Louise, who's hiding from her violent boyfriend; and Rob, who's a spoilt little rich kid who's never grown up. Most modern authors would tell the whole story in the POV (point of view) of these three characters, probably giving them a chapter each in turn. However, Smith has chosen to use omniscient voice, and that's where I felt he went wrong, for two reasons.
First, it allows him to include too much information. Every character, no matter how minor, is introduced with a potted history and a psychological profile. Some minor characters, like the detective and Christophe, even get whole chapters of their own. While their sub-plots are interesting, they're a distraction from the three main threads, and made me feel less involved with the three main players.
Secondly, it removes all the suspense. When we read a story in a character's POV, we only know what he knows. So, when Colin meets the detective, he doesn't know whether he's straight or bent. He's not completely sure how Debbie feels about him. And so on. The reader has to keep reading to find out the truth, and can indulge in delicious speculation in the meantime. But because this book is in omniscient, the author tells us everything about the detective at once. There's no mystery about him, nor about Christophe, or anyone else. It means that the only real question mark in the book is whether the boy will be found, and that's not really enough to sustain a whole novel.
I felt there was the potential for a sequel here, and I could imagine Christophe and the detective being the main characters in that book. That would be the time to tell us their full story, not shoehorned into a book about other people.
But as I said, it was still a likeable tale. Rob's drive around the island, while he talks himself out of all the economies he's been advised to make, is a particular gem.
The story has three main characters: Colin, who's searching for a missing schoolboy; Louise, who's hiding from her violent boyfriend; and Rob, who's a spoilt little rich kid who's never grown up. Most modern authors would tell the whole story in the POV (point of view) of these three characters, probably giving them a chapter each in turn. However, Smith has chosen to use omniscient voice, and that's where I felt he went wrong, for two reasons.
First, it allows him to include too much information. Every character, no matter how minor, is introduced with a potted history and a psychological profile. Some minor characters, like the detective and Christophe, even get whole chapters of their own. While their sub-plots are interesting, they're a distraction from the three main threads, and made me feel less involved with the three main players.
Secondly, it removes all the suspense. When we read a story in a character's POV, we only know what he knows. So, when Colin meets the detective, he doesn't know whether he's straight or bent. He's not completely sure how Debbie feels about him. And so on. The reader has to keep reading to find out the truth, and can indulge in delicious speculation in the meantime. But because this book is in omniscient, the author tells us everything about the detective at once. There's no mystery about him, nor about Christophe, or anyone else. It means that the only real question mark in the book is whether the boy will be found, and that's not really enough to sustain a whole novel.
I felt there was the potential for a sequel here, and I could imagine Christophe and the detective being the main characters in that book. That would be the time to tell us their full story, not shoehorned into a book about other people.
But as I said, it was still a likeable tale. Rob's drive around the island, while he talks himself out of all the economies he's been advised to make, is a particular gem.
May 18, 2015
Will Smith’s Mainlander is a good read. It’s somewhere between a thriller and comedy and social engagement. Sort of a Carl Hiaasen meets the despicable Russell Banks meets Karin Fossum. It takes place on Jersey (that’s an island, not a state), and I can say outside of some Southern writers it’s one of the best novels of a sense of place I have read. Smith challenges us with his very intimate knowledge of the mores and morals of the channel islands, even digging into its not so distant history of gleefully hosting the Nazi’s.
Although the work is a bit too plot driven, his characters –both male and female-- resonate and sound deeply into our consciousness: Colin, the mainlander, Rob, the obnoxious consuming local, and Emma, Colin’s shallow but abrasive wife. I dare you to forget even some of the minor creations. He also writes about mid-eighties pop with élan, if such a thing is possible .
Forget the plots and dig in and enjoy how Smith delineates and develops these characters. BTW, the novel cured my life-long dream of going to Jersey, a feat I nearly accomplished last summer. Apparently it has all the depth of a Myrtle Beach with snobby locals in a pissing contest to see who can destroy what people come to the island to see.
Although the work is a bit too plot driven, his characters –both male and female-- resonate and sound deeply into our consciousness: Colin, the mainlander, Rob, the obnoxious consuming local, and Emma, Colin’s shallow but abrasive wife. I dare you to forget even some of the minor creations. He also writes about mid-eighties pop with élan, if such a thing is possible .
Forget the plots and dig in and enjoy how Smith delineates and develops these characters. BTW, the novel cured my life-long dream of going to Jersey, a feat I nearly accomplished last summer. Apparently it has all the depth of a Myrtle Beach with snobby locals in a pissing contest to see who can destroy what people come to the island to see.
August 19, 2015
I can see this as a TV adaptation. Think it would translate well to the small screen. Well formed characters and great location. Jersey very much brought to life, but in such a way it's dropped way down my "to visit" list!
The start of the book was good. Liked the early premise of boy rescued from potential suicide by his teacher Colin, who's marriage is crumbling. But there was too little of this and too many other characters introduced that I never got to know any of them enough before the book was over, although no one came across as particularly likeable.
Reminded me a little of JK Rowling casual vacancy where not quite enough happens.
A final point.... This was set in 1987. This was rammed home with constant musical references that added nothing to the story and I'd suggest would put off younger readers. Only ugh later in the book did I realise there was an event in 1987 that was weather related that occurred in Jersey. However a fictional event would have sufficed just as well and no need to reference a particular year as it added very little to me, and became an annoying distraction.
The start of the book was good. Liked the early premise of boy rescued from potential suicide by his teacher Colin, who's marriage is crumbling. But there was too little of this and too many other characters introduced that I never got to know any of them enough before the book was over, although no one came across as particularly likeable.
Reminded me a little of JK Rowling casual vacancy where not quite enough happens.
A final point.... This was set in 1987. This was rammed home with constant musical references that added nothing to the story and I'd suggest would put off younger readers. Only ugh later in the book did I realise there was an event in 1987 that was weather related that occurred in Jersey. However a fictional event would have sufficed just as well and no need to reference a particular year as it added very little to me, and became an annoying distraction.
October 25, 2021
It's a bit like an older episode of "Midsomer Murders" where almost everybody is doing the dirty on somebody else's wife or partner, except that none of the characters is particularly likeable.
All of that takes the focus away from the main story, which is about a schoolchild who goes missing on a small island where most of the residents have lived for years, and none of them want to get involved in finding him through fear of upsetting the local policeman or damaging the reputation of the school that many of them are proud to have attended.
The whole story comes to a fairly abrupt end when the schoolboy is found in a storm that destroys the hotel owned by the most pretentious character in the book
Oh .. and the "Will Smith" whose details are shown in GoodReads as the writer .. isn't the actual writer!
All of that takes the focus away from the main story, which is about a schoolchild who goes missing on a small island where most of the residents have lived for years, and none of them want to get involved in finding him through fear of upsetting the local policeman or damaging the reputation of the school that many of them are proud to have attended.
The whole story comes to a fairly abrupt end when the schoolboy is found in a storm that destroys the hotel owned by the most pretentious character in the book
Oh .. and the "Will Smith" whose details are shown in GoodReads as the writer .. isn't the actual writer!
October 13, 2017
This one wasn't really my thing I'm afraid. The main story about a teacher and a pupil who goes missing is ok and it's enough to keep you turning the pages, but there are too many sub-plots flying around vying for attention. This means the ending of this main story arc is almost skipped over, with the players acting out of character and with little background to the events. It feels like it might be the first in a series so those thin subplots may get fleshed out in future volumes.
Add to that a cast of stereotypical two-dimensional characters and the whole thing becomes rather unsatisfying. The female characters only seem to exist in relation to the men they sleep with, and the men don't fare much better. The brash rich hotelier is a tosser of the first order and so has to get his comeuppance. The main character, Colin, is a teacher and therefore poor (at least relatively so by Jersey standards) so obviously he's full of moral fibre and decency. And the Liverpudlian? Of course, he's a scumbag lowlife.
Then there's the setting. Jersey itself is lovingly described - sections about the island and its history are the best parts of the text. Unfortunately that's not the case with the temporal setting. The action happens in 1987 because two major events that occurred that year are integral to the story. To make sure we don't forget this, the author crowbars in clunky references to the music of the time at every available opportunity. I'm guessing he's a bit of a Dire Straits fan.
Overall it's an easy read if you like that sort of thing, but it's pretty average and didn't rock my world.
Add to that a cast of stereotypical two-dimensional characters and the whole thing becomes rather unsatisfying. The female characters only seem to exist in relation to the men they sleep with, and the men don't fare much better. The brash rich hotelier is a tosser of the first order and so has to get his comeuppance. The main character, Colin, is a teacher and therefore poor (at least relatively so by Jersey standards) so obviously he's full of moral fibre and decency. And the Liverpudlian? Of course, he's a scumbag lowlife.
Then there's the setting. Jersey itself is lovingly described - sections about the island and its history are the best parts of the text. Unfortunately that's not the case with the temporal setting. The action happens in 1987 because two major events that occurred that year are integral to the story. To make sure we don't forget this, the author crowbars in clunky references to the music of the time at every available opportunity. I'm guessing he's a bit of a Dire Straits fan.
Overall it's an easy read if you like that sort of thing, but it's pretty average and didn't rock my world.
January 3, 2021
This started so promisingly! A lost school boy and a determined teacher, the cover comments suggested a Broadchurch type gripping story. Also likened it to Fargo and the Wicker Man , as I say, promising start. Unfortunately it soon veers into soap opera territory with two dimensional baddies of both sexes, shallow rich idiots with no integrity and no relationship to the supposed plot. The missing boy barely makes a dint in the middle portion as we meet crooks arrived from Liverpool, bent coppers and drug dealers. It felt as if the author could not make up his mind what genre this was going to be. Jersey is portrayed as a self centred, self important playground of the spoilt rich and even our hero, Colin, of all names, cannot live up to his early promise. What a wholesale disappointment!
September 22, 2025
Really interesting and engaging book. I liked the different chapters giving insights into the POV characters, although occasionally for a paragraph or two we would switch character POVs whilst in the chapter which was unusual.
Will Smith nails describing island life in Jersey and as someone from Jersey I took joy in recognising where he was describing. The plot involving the missing child actually takes a back seat for most of the book, instead focusing on the hilarious calamity that befalls one of the POV characters as his life (deservedly) unravels. I would rate this five stars but found myself disappointed by the ending of the book, which feels very abrupt after a relatively slow burning read.
Will Smith nails describing island life in Jersey and as someone from Jersey I took joy in recognising where he was describing. The plot involving the missing child actually takes a back seat for most of the book, instead focusing on the hilarious calamity that befalls one of the POV characters as his life (deservedly) unravels. I would rate this five stars but found myself disappointed by the ending of the book, which feels very abrupt after a relatively slow burning read.
January 15, 2021
The island of Jersey comes across as an unappealingly closed society in this 2015 novel set in 1987. The characters are also pretty unappealing (although a secondary character, an old, lonely nosy neighbour, is well-rendered) and the “mystery” of the whereabouts of a student of the protagonist young teacher whose wife is having an affair with a randy, sad and callous ex-boyfriend hotel owner, is not that profound, as the 1987 “hurricane” and stock-market crash climax the week-long action. Strangely engaging but flawed
August 6, 2020
Reflections and lessons learned: Multiple interwoven lives on a strange but wonderful island where I know that I’m personally jealous. The classic balance of extremes lifestyles though from a resident, and an insight into the sad history of treatment during ww2. Nice nod to Marillion! Was the audio narrator too posh and flat though for the story? Also the large pauses at the end of each chapter were very offputting for an audiobook!
August 9, 2019
A frustrating read. Had some interesting writing elements and the characters and location for an interesting story, but it was over written and veered between drama and comedy in a way that disservice to both. Plus all the characters were unlikable in a 'meh' way. Shame because I like Will Smith(not that one)'s comedy output.
April 3, 2021
The first half of mainlander is necessarily slow paced, putting in the groundwork for a breathless second half of what is an ultimately hugely satisfying read.
Smith's characters are well drawn, there's a good dose of humour that doesn't detract from the more dramatic moments and the feeling of the island is evocative throughout.
A great read.
Smith's characters are well drawn, there's a good dose of humour that doesn't detract from the more dramatic moments and the feeling of the island is evocative throughout.
A great read.
February 22, 2018
Really good. Wasn't sure what to expect but the mixture of humour, darkness and thriller elements was thoroughly enjoyable.
Read
July 3, 2019Did not enjoy.
Read
January 22, 2024It was alright.
January 28, 2025
Decent enough tube read
October 30, 2025
this is why i always ignore comments, thought it was great
March 13, 2017
I picked this book up and rattled through it as a purely enjoyable mystery story.
Plotwise it combines, adultery,missing child, drugs ,a dodgy policeman, a mainland villain, annoying posh boy, and a storm- everything but the kitchen sink . Not perhaps the most literary of fiction , and certainly not the best crime/thriller I will read this year but sometimes I enjoy an escapist page turner which it certainly was and if there is a sequel I will definitely look it up.
Plotwise it combines, adultery,missing child, drugs ,a dodgy policeman, a mainland villain, annoying posh boy, and a storm- everything but the kitchen sink . Not perhaps the most literary of fiction , and certainly not the best crime/thriller I will read this year but sometimes I enjoy an escapist page turner which it certainly was and if there is a sequel I will definitely look it up.
July 29, 2015
This book was quite different to what I expected. It was a quite light and in some ways enjoyable read. However, I did find the constant references to songs that were current at the time very tedious and a bit juvenile to be frank. And why was it set in 1987? It was not apparent to me and really, aside from the constant music references, nothing else really seemed to tie in with that time and 'take me back' as it were. The actual mystery that the story was loosely based around really didn't get near as much attention as the personal lives of the main characters, most of whom I ended up disliking immensely. And as for the ending...very disappointing. I am assuming this is the first of a series because what an idiot Colin turns out to be, sucked in to return to his (pregnant) cheating wife. It really seems so unlikely that she does such a turn around, I can't believe the author thought it was a satisfactory way to end the novel. And he turns out to be a cad as well. If there are more novels to follow it makes me feel quite depressed that we'll have to go through he agony of Colin discovering his wife's infidelities, his regret at rejecting the love of his life etc. etc. Therefore although I was able to finish this novel, I will not be rushing out to read the second installment if it happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2015
I have very little good to say about this novel.
Smith's use of 80s music is to forced, and there is too much of it. It's obvious it's a personal thing for the author rather than fitting into the story. The various fractured relationships bring to mind a cheap soap opera and are of no interest, and take up more than two thirds of th book.
I stumbled upon this by reading a review about a teenager on the verge of a suicidal jump and a teacher following the 'rescue' up. That part of the novel is vaguely interesting, but written without sympathy for the reader. It is also too brief a portion of the book.
I only stuck with it as I speed read the majority of it. It's not far short of trash.
Smith's use of 80s music is to forced, and there is too much of it. It's obvious it's a personal thing for the author rather than fitting into the story. The various fractured relationships bring to mind a cheap soap opera and are of no interest, and take up more than two thirds of th book.
I stumbled upon this by reading a review about a teenager on the verge of a suicidal jump and a teacher following the 'rescue' up. That part of the novel is vaguely interesting, but written without sympathy for the reader. It is also too brief a portion of the book.
I only stuck with it as I speed read the majority of it. It's not far short of trash.
July 26, 2015
I was intrigued to read this debut novel, as I'm a fan of Will Smith's work as an actor and comedian. I wasn't disappointed - this is far from a comic novel, although it does have funny moments, but is a satirical portrait of Jersey in the 1980s. It appears to be an island in more ways than one, cut off from the rest of the country, and resentful of outsiders. There are illicit affairs, corruption and murder going on, in a story which culminates in the great storm of 1987. I particularly liked the references to 1980s music, and look forward to the sequel.
April 10, 2015
To begin with I thought this may be a fairly simple missing person story. However the many narratives provide an interesting, compelling and intriguing snapshot of a small island. I read the first half enthusiastically and devoured the second half. It is well written, the varied narratives are presented well. It is humorous. Sad. Poignant and satisfying. You'll root for some to succeed whilst simultaneously hoping others get their come uppance.
June 12, 2016
The strong point with this book are the characters and the choices they make. The ending disappointed me, but it did not take away all the fun I had reading Mainlander, with the witty jokes and the lovely descriptions of the island as well as its closed community.
Can people really change? I think that the answer to this question is the true heart of this novel.
Can people really change? I think that the answer to this question is the true heart of this novel.
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February 7, 2017Very disappointing. I really don't understand why the writer thinks that the great storm in 87 was on the Friday night when it was on the Thursday night as I vividly remember walking to work in St Helier on the Friday morning as the lanes in St Lawrence were impassable by car.
April 8, 2021
Interesting view of an 80's flavoured disfunctional Jersey society, with some nice insights of how literal insularity makes life difficult for outsiders. The plot was well developed and interesting throughout, if occasionally the style of writing didn't quite reach to the level the ideas required.
April 21, 2016
I am not sure about the use of the word "jerk"as an insult outside of North America in the 1980s, though I could be wrong.
October 15, 2015
not to bad a yarn
December 26, 2015
Something easy for the holidays. Reads a bit like a UK television drama, in fact would likely lend itself well to an adaptation. Don't expect anything deep, this is easy read entertainment.
February 29, 2016
Excellent book - thoroughly compelling modern-day tale of (largely) recognisable personalities and egos colliding in an evocative Jersey setting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews