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Michael
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Expected 19 Nov 26Michael has had a big life. A life of abundance and applause. But now he's dead (or at least he's pretty sure he is.) He is given the chance to return - but it comes with a catch. He ends up back in a time he’d tried to forget.
He and his mum have been forced to start again after his dad's death: new house, new school, no mates. Worse still, his mum has a new boyfriend, a man with suspiciously close-set eyes and the word DRYWALL tattooed on his forearm. He mostly spends his time in his bedroom, drawing cars and making airfix models. Things seem hopeless.
But as the months pass, Michael slowly begins to find his place. Helped by new friendships and the unexpected kindness of his neighbour, Mr Graham, what starts as the worst year of Michael’s life might actually turn out to be the one that makes him. Life looks different second time around.
A wise, funny and moving novel about growing up and finding your way, from multimillion-copy bestselling author Bob Mortimer.
He and his mum have been forced to start again after his dad's death: new house, new school, no mates. Worse still, his mum has a new boyfriend, a man with suspiciously close-set eyes and the word DRYWALL tattooed on his forearm. He mostly spends his time in his bedroom, drawing cars and making airfix models. Things seem hopeless.
But as the months pass, Michael slowly begins to find his place. Helped by new friendships and the unexpected kindness of his neighbour, Mr Graham, what starts as the worst year of Michael’s life might actually turn out to be the one that makes him. Life looks different second time around.
A wise, funny and moving novel about growing up and finding your way, from multimillion-copy bestselling author Bob Mortimer.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 19, 2026
About the author
Bob Mortimer
22 books1,872 followersRobert Renwick Mortimer is an English comedian, podcast presenter and actor. He is known for his work with Vic Reeves as part of their Vic and Bob comedy double act, and more recently the Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing series with comedian Paul Whitehouse. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mor...]
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a sucker for a good coming-of-age story, particularly one centred around a slightly awkward teenage boy — probably because I was once one myself! So it didn’t take much to draw me into Bob Mortimer’s Michael.
I have to admit that I’ve never been a massive fan of Bob Mortimer’s comedy shows. However, since reading The Satsuma Complex, I’ve become a huge fan of his writing, and Michael has only reinforced that. While it is very different from his previous novels, that difference really highlights just how versatile a writer he is.
At its heart, Michael is a story about growing up, friendship, family and the experiences that shape us. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about watching Michael navigate the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence, particularly as he tries to find his place in a world that can often feel confusing and intimidating. Mortimer captures those teenage emotions with a warmth and honesty that makes Michael an incredibly likeable character.
What I particularly enjoyed is the way Mortimer balances the humour with the more poignant elements of the story. There are plenty of moments that made me laugh — his trademark humour is very much present — but the comedy never overwhelms the emotional heart of the novel. Instead, it often makes the more touching moments feel even more effective.
Michael may be a departure from Mortimer’s earlier novels, but for me, that’s part of its appeal. It shows that he isn’t simply relying on a formula that worked before. Instead, he’s written something with a very different feel while retaining the warmth, eccentricity and humour that have made me such a fan of his books.
A funny, touching and occasionally poignant coming-of-age story, Michael is another reminder of why I’ve become such a fan of Bob Mortimer’s writing.
I have to admit that I’ve never been a massive fan of Bob Mortimer’s comedy shows. However, since reading The Satsuma Complex, I’ve become a huge fan of his writing, and Michael has only reinforced that. While it is very different from his previous novels, that difference really highlights just how versatile a writer he is.
At its heart, Michael is a story about growing up, friendship, family and the experiences that shape us. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about watching Michael navigate the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence, particularly as he tries to find his place in a world that can often feel confusing and intimidating. Mortimer captures those teenage emotions with a warmth and honesty that makes Michael an incredibly likeable character.
What I particularly enjoyed is the way Mortimer balances the humour with the more poignant elements of the story. There are plenty of moments that made me laugh — his trademark humour is very much present — but the comedy never overwhelms the emotional heart of the novel. Instead, it often makes the more touching moments feel even more effective.
Michael may be a departure from Mortimer’s earlier novels, but for me, that’s part of its appeal. It shows that he isn’t simply relying on a formula that worked before. Instead, he’s written something with a very different feel while retaining the warmth, eccentricity and humour that have made me such a fan of his books.
A funny, touching and occasionally poignant coming-of-age story, Michael is another reminder of why I’ve become such a fan of Bob Mortimer’s writing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery UK for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven't read any of Bob's Satsuma Complex etc. series, although I do have a copy of book number one, so I had no prior knowledge of his writing. But like so many others, I have come to love his comedy and work on television.
I am used to him as a comedian, but this wasn't a comic novel. It's much deeper and intelligent and thought-provoking and yet doesn't end up falling into that place where a story is too literary to be enjoyable.
I wonder how much of this was inspired by his own health issues, there's definitely a personal passion to his words.
It wasn't what I was expecting from the opening. I don't want to spoil it so I won't go into specifics, but the opening promise a sort of supernatural element but it's a lot more normal, everyday. It still has that fantasy element which I liked as it helped break the story up, giving me something a bit different. It's not OTT on the supernatural/fantasy elements but nor is it focussed solely on the literary element, it's a nice combination of both. But I would have liked more of this fantasy edge that the synopsis suggests.
It's not a particularly short book, not is it overly long, but it's so effortless to read that it just flies by and I read it in just two sitting sone September Sunday.
It's a thought-provoking book without being too heavy handed. It looks at what we want, what we wish we'd done, our relationships and friendships, our dreams, second chances, moving forward and looking back.
Our protagonist's are an adult man and a boy. It can be difficult for adult readers to connect with a young character, but it worked. He's well written and I think it works because we don't cut off contact with our older character completely.
It dipped a little in the middle, got a bit slower, conversation-heavy and light on anything actually happening. But the beginning and end were strong enough to pick it up.
I did enjoy it. Like I said, I've not read his other books but I knew how gifted he is with language and comedy and whatnot. So it's not a surprise that I found his general use of language to tell, what is quite a "normal" story, into something quite wonderful.
I haven't read any of Bob's Satsuma Complex etc. series, although I do have a copy of book number one, so I had no prior knowledge of his writing. But like so many others, I have come to love his comedy and work on television.
I am used to him as a comedian, but this wasn't a comic novel. It's much deeper and intelligent and thought-provoking and yet doesn't end up falling into that place where a story is too literary to be enjoyable.
I wonder how much of this was inspired by his own health issues, there's definitely a personal passion to his words.
It wasn't what I was expecting from the opening. I don't want to spoil it so I won't go into specifics, but the opening promise a sort of supernatural element but it's a lot more normal, everyday. It still has that fantasy element which I liked as it helped break the story up, giving me something a bit different. It's not OTT on the supernatural/fantasy elements but nor is it focussed solely on the literary element, it's a nice combination of both. But I would have liked more of this fantasy edge that the synopsis suggests.
It's not a particularly short book, not is it overly long, but it's so effortless to read that it just flies by and I read it in just two sitting sone September Sunday.
It's a thought-provoking book without being too heavy handed. It looks at what we want, what we wish we'd done, our relationships and friendships, our dreams, second chances, moving forward and looking back.
Our protagonist's are an adult man and a boy. It can be difficult for adult readers to connect with a young character, but it worked. He's well written and I think it works because we don't cut off contact with our older character completely.
It dipped a little in the middle, got a bit slower, conversation-heavy and light on anything actually happening. But the beginning and end were strong enough to pick it up.
I did enjoy it. Like I said, I've not read his other books but I knew how gifted he is with language and comedy and whatnot. So it's not a surprise that I found his general use of language to tell, what is quite a "normal" story, into something quite wonderful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for making the e-ARC available to me in exchange for a review.
Let's get something clear right from the start, I love Bob Mortimer the comedian and national treasure, but it was only recently I got around to reading his books. I read his other 3 novels with delight and was incredibly excited to receive an advance copy of his upcoming book, Michael.
For those that have read his other books, this is a bit of a departure. The usual "Mortimerisms" are there, but less prevalent, and there is a real emotional weight to the story. I'm not sure how much of this book reflects Bob's real childhood, but the best way I can describe it is that the way Bob describe's growing up in 1970's Middlesborough felt like the way that Stephen King describes growing up in 1950's America. There's a real grimness to everything, and a real affection for it as well.
Michael is dying, and is lost in a void and given the choice by a shapeless voice from the afterlife to witness a year in his life, but he must choose either the best year or the worst year. He chooses the worst, and it turns out to be 1978. He is transported back to when he was 14 years old, lonely, few friends and his mam recovering from the death of his dad by shacking up with a brutish builder called Craig.
We see Michael develop friendships with Briony and Mark, get picked on by Craig, help out his mum, and discover more about life with the help of his neighbour, Graham.
This book is just wonderful and I suspect it will be incredibly well received not just by fans of Bob's previous works, but by everyone. I was very pleased with what it achieved for me.
Let's get something clear right from the start, I love Bob Mortimer the comedian and national treasure, but it was only recently I got around to reading his books. I read his other 3 novels with delight and was incredibly excited to receive an advance copy of his upcoming book, Michael.
For those that have read his other books, this is a bit of a departure. The usual "Mortimerisms" are there, but less prevalent, and there is a real emotional weight to the story. I'm not sure how much of this book reflects Bob's real childhood, but the best way I can describe it is that the way Bob describe's growing up in 1970's Middlesborough felt like the way that Stephen King describes growing up in 1950's America. There's a real grimness to everything, and a real affection for it as well.
Michael is dying, and is lost in a void and given the choice by a shapeless voice from the afterlife to witness a year in his life, but he must choose either the best year or the worst year. He chooses the worst, and it turns out to be 1978. He is transported back to when he was 14 years old, lonely, few friends and his mam recovering from the death of his dad by shacking up with a brutish builder called Craig.
We see Michael develop friendships with Briony and Mark, get picked on by Craig, help out his mum, and discover more about life with the help of his neighbour, Graham.
This book is just wonderful and I suspect it will be incredibly well received not just by fans of Bob's previous works, but by everyone. I was very pleased with what it achieved for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Michael by Bob Mortimer is an absolute treasure of a book, and one that I will most definitely re-read. This is his best book to date.
The book centres on Micheal, whose life has undergone changes following the death of his father. He has moved to a new house in a new neighbourhood and started a new school and finds himself a bit adrift. It’s set in the late 1970s and Mortimer evokes the age with the references to music, brown decor and lack of central heating.
Micheal has started at a new secondary school and cuts a lonely figure spending his lunch breaks in the Art Building trying to get by without drawing attention to himself. On a school trip to Recar he is partnered with Briony, an aloof swotty-type, and they form a friendship. His mother has started a relationship with a builder, Craig, and as such Michael spends most of his time upstairs in his bedroom working at his desk looking at his neighbour Mr Graham’s house.
This coming of age story is incredibly touching as it focuses on friendship, and the importance of family, looking out for one another and trying new things. It is both humorous and touching and realistically portrays the dilemmas teenagers face and Michael’s friendships read as very authentic.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for making the e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The book centres on Micheal, whose life has undergone changes following the death of his father. He has moved to a new house in a new neighbourhood and started a new school and finds himself a bit adrift. It’s set in the late 1970s and Mortimer evokes the age with the references to music, brown decor and lack of central heating.
Micheal has started at a new secondary school and cuts a lonely figure spending his lunch breaks in the Art Building trying to get by without drawing attention to himself. On a school trip to Recar he is partnered with Briony, an aloof swotty-type, and they form a friendship. His mother has started a relationship with a builder, Craig, and as such Michael spends most of his time upstairs in his bedroom working at his desk looking at his neighbour Mr Graham’s house.
This coming of age story is incredibly touching as it focuses on friendship, and the importance of family, looking out for one another and trying new things. It is both humorous and touching and realistically portrays the dilemmas teenagers face and Michael’s friendships read as very authentic.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for making the e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 11, 2026
Thankyou to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy.
Bob Mortimer's Michael is every bit as charming as you'd hope; it's a slightly odd coming of age story set in the North. I laughed out loud in places, and it's written in such a Mortimer style that you can almost hear him reading to you, full of oddball jokes and quirky humour.
I loved the "FBI" twist, it was clever and sweet, and not at all what I was expecting, the story is quietly observational and heartwarming. I haven't read any of his others so wasn't sure what to expect, but I'd really recommend it.
Bob Mortimer's Michael is every bit as charming as you'd hope; it's a slightly odd coming of age story set in the North. I laughed out loud in places, and it's written in such a Mortimer style that you can almost hear him reading to you, full of oddball jokes and quirky humour.
I loved the "FBI" twist, it was clever and sweet, and not at all what I was expecting, the story is quietly observational and heartwarming. I haven't read any of his others so wasn't sure what to expect, but I'd really recommend it.
October 13, 2026
A really beautiful,warming,gentle,cosy but hilarious read. Something really different for Bob Mortimer in the best way possible. A really touching novel with a really unique premise that had me tearing through it in two days. This is the perfect winter read for that moment where you’re tucked up with one of those ridiculously thick blankets from the 90s and fluffy socks with a hot chocolate. This book is the epitome of a warm hug🤍
October 17, 2026
Michael is a charming, well-paced coming of age story. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of Mortimer’s signature humour and outlandish commentary which makes for an entertaining read.
There is also serious, reflective and sad moments throughout the story which are told well and make for a heart warming and thought-provoking novel. I particularly enjoyed the conclusion to the story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK | Gallery UK and NetGalley for the ARC
There is also serious, reflective and sad moments throughout the story which are told well and make for a heart warming and thought-provoking novel. I particularly enjoyed the conclusion to the story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK | Gallery UK and NetGalley for the ARC
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews