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Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid
Meet Milligan Clodthorpe, a gentleman arachnid of exceptional lineage who finds himself involuntarily inhabiting the body of a human female. Bainbridge, the cad who now inhabits Milligan's arachnid form, is known throughout the galaxy as thoroughly selfish and uncivilised. What he might get up to with a body such as Milligan's simply does not bear thinking about. With the help of Milligan's mechanical valet Forsythe, his revered Uncle Angus, his psychotic cousin Gertrude, and Pigstick, his former comrade in arms, he must recover his arachnid body and prevent Bainbridge from disgracing his family name.
Through twists and turns, Milligan's pursuit leads him into thrilling adventures. Be prepared for "daring espionage, scandalous scenes," and "perilous levels of dry wit."
Through twists and turns, Milligan's pursuit leads him into thrilling adventures. Be prepared for "daring espionage, scandalous scenes," and "perilous levels of dry wit."
- GenresScience Fiction
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2015
1 person is currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 24, 2016
I really wanted to like this one. It has such an awesome title and cover and the blurb made the story sound like it was going to be packed with hilarious humour! Sadly, the whole thing was a bit of a flop.
The future sci-fi world setting was familiar but still good. Many alien species live in many different planets throughout the galaxy. Technological advances have eliminated problems like lack of resources and even death! At least for the more advanced races.
Milligan Clodthorpe is a gentleman arachnid. The arachnids have a pseudo Victorian Britain sort of culture. Milligan is still reeling from the lose of his wife, who refused the rejuvenation technology and died permanently two years previously, when his PTSD suffering cousin invites him to visit her families estate. She does so with the aim of cheering him up. Unfortunately for Milligan a stray remark at the dinner table convinces his idiot cousin Bainbridge that he would be OK with swapping bodies with Bainbridge. It would be awful at the best of times but Bainbridge panicked during his last rejuvenation process and ended up with his mind stuck in the body of one of the lesser races, a human! After Bainbrige absconds with his new arachnid body Milligan is horrified. Not just with his new alien body, but with the prospect of the damage a cad like Bainbridge could do to his reputation!
It really should have been awesome but it flopped because the humour was just so ridiculous that it made it tough to care for any of the characters or their fates. There was also a lot of wasted potential as far as the body swap went. You would think that we would have got tons of hilarious moments as Milligan is forced to interact with the humans is his new body, but you would be wrong. It was quite disappointing really.
To be fair to this one I only made it to the 65% mark. I was growing a bit bored by then and it just felt like the potential in the story was never going to be realized.
Rating: 2 stars.
Audio Note: No blame for this books failure can be pinned on Thom Tuck. He gave a good performance.
The future sci-fi world setting was familiar but still good. Many alien species live in many different planets throughout the galaxy. Technological advances have eliminated problems like lack of resources and even death! At least for the more advanced races.
Milligan Clodthorpe is a gentleman arachnid. The arachnids have a pseudo Victorian Britain sort of culture. Milligan is still reeling from the lose of his wife, who refused the rejuvenation technology and died permanently two years previously, when his PTSD suffering cousin invites him to visit her families estate. She does so with the aim of cheering him up. Unfortunately for Milligan a stray remark at the dinner table convinces his idiot cousin Bainbridge that he would be OK with swapping bodies with Bainbridge. It would be awful at the best of times but Bainbridge panicked during his last rejuvenation process and ended up with his mind stuck in the body of one of the lesser races, a human! After Bainbrige absconds with his new arachnid body Milligan is horrified. Not just with his new alien body, but with the prospect of the damage a cad like Bainbridge could do to his reputation!
It really should have been awesome but it flopped because the humour was just so ridiculous that it made it tough to care for any of the characters or their fates. There was also a lot of wasted potential as far as the body swap went. You would think that we would have got tons of hilarious moments as Milligan is forced to interact with the humans is his new body, but you would be wrong. It was quite disappointing really.
To be fair to this one I only made it to the 65% mark. I was growing a bit bored by then and it just felt like the potential in the story was never going to be realized.
Rating: 2 stars.
Audio Note: No blame for this books failure can be pinned on Thom Tuck. He gave a good performance.
February 13, 2016
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
There seems to be no other way to start this review: What a spiffing yarn Coolwood has spun.
Milligan Clodthorpe, an aristocratic gentleman of the arachnid variety, takes up an invitation from his relatives to spend some time in the country at his familial seat, Newbury Towers. Yet it is far from the relaxing holiday he anticipates.
Bainbridge, an associate of the family, swaps his newly acquired human body with Clodthorpe's. Clodthorpe, utterly outraged, does his utmost to persuade Bainbridge to swap back. But Bainbridge is a wily one, and leads Clodthorpe on a merry dance across space to do so. From quaint, human village fetes (a species which Clodthorpe often villifies) to battleships and asteroids, Bainbridge makes it as hard (but entertaining for the reader) as possible for Clodthorpe to regain his body. Aided by his trusty man, Forsythe, and encouraged by his cousin Gertrude and and former comrade Pigstick, Clodthorpe's adventures are set out in a most witty manner.
It's certainly one of the most original stories I've read, not least from the characters. Clodthorpe is a character who finds himself utterly out of his depth, which renders the action that much more entertaining and the supporting characters more valuable.
The novel also tackles themes of loneliness and the need to feel at home with one's body. Pigstick's arc is a good example of the latter, while Clodthorpe's adventures show how his loneliness can be tackled by the deceptively simple solution of worthwhile company. Instead of hastening back to his own dwelling when his body is recovered, he ponders on the virtues of staying with his relatives. "Being alone with my thoughts in Eggart was not entirely healthy was it, Forsythe?"
A cross between sci-fi and a healthy dose of the self-deprecating and humorous British nature, Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid is a thoroughly enjoyable story.
There seems to be no other way to start this review: What a spiffing yarn Coolwood has spun.
Milligan Clodthorpe, an aristocratic gentleman of the arachnid variety, takes up an invitation from his relatives to spend some time in the country at his familial seat, Newbury Towers. Yet it is far from the relaxing holiday he anticipates.
Bainbridge, an associate of the family, swaps his newly acquired human body with Clodthorpe's. Clodthorpe, utterly outraged, does his utmost to persuade Bainbridge to swap back. But Bainbridge is a wily one, and leads Clodthorpe on a merry dance across space to do so. From quaint, human village fetes (a species which Clodthorpe often villifies) to battleships and asteroids, Bainbridge makes it as hard (but entertaining for the reader) as possible for Clodthorpe to regain his body. Aided by his trusty man, Forsythe, and encouraged by his cousin Gertrude and and former comrade Pigstick, Clodthorpe's adventures are set out in a most witty manner.
It's certainly one of the most original stories I've read, not least from the characters. Clodthorpe is a character who finds himself utterly out of his depth, which renders the action that much more entertaining and the supporting characters more valuable.
The novel also tackles themes of loneliness and the need to feel at home with one's body. Pigstick's arc is a good example of the latter, while Clodthorpe's adventures show how his loneliness can be tackled by the deceptively simple solution of worthwhile company. Instead of hastening back to his own dwelling when his body is recovered, he ponders on the virtues of staying with his relatives. "Being alone with my thoughts in Eggart was not entirely healthy was it, Forsythe?"
A cross between sci-fi and a healthy dose of the self-deprecating and humorous British nature, Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid is a thoroughly enjoyable story.
October 5, 2016
Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid is a good read but for a particular audience.
The Protagonist: Milligan Clodthorpe, is a gentleman arachnid. Think of him as Berti Wooster, with more sense but all the graces.
The Plot: Bainbridge is a cad, an arachnid lacking in the social graces. Without permission, he takes Clodthorpe's arachnid body replacing it with a female human body. The one that he, Bainbridge, had inhabited. There is a subplot for why he did that, but there are no spoiler here.
What an entertaining read this is. You will need a dry sense of humour and be of the ilk that likes a challenging read. I love books where I learn and this one even has a little test at the end. It's all in good fun! If you like PG Wodehouse, this should go down a storm.
There is also a serious note to the book. It tackles the issue of loneliness and body dysmorphia in a unique way. It does not lose its humour but unexpectedly sets one to thinking.
This book is not for everybody, but I found it most enjoyable. If you like sci-fi, and comedy and Jeeves and Wooster. Give it a go. Your brain should love you for it.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next oneor reread ?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
The Protagonist: Milligan Clodthorpe, is a gentleman arachnid. Think of him as Berti Wooster, with more sense but all the graces.
The Plot: Bainbridge is a cad, an arachnid lacking in the social graces. Without permission, he takes Clodthorpe's arachnid body replacing it with a female human body. The one that he, Bainbridge, had inhabited. There is a subplot for why he did that, but there are no spoiler here.
What an entertaining read this is. You will need a dry sense of humour and be of the ilk that likes a challenging read. I love books where I learn and this one even has a little test at the end. It's all in good fun! If you like PG Wodehouse, this should go down a storm.
There is also a serious note to the book. It tackles the issue of loneliness and body dysmorphia in a unique way. It does not lose its humour but unexpectedly sets one to thinking.
This book is not for everybody, but I found it most enjoyable. If you like sci-fi, and comedy and Jeeves and Wooster. Give it a go. Your brain should love you for it.
Connect with me on Twitter
Follow my blog on Bloglovin’
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
August 15, 2016
Note: I received this book for free in a giveaway.
No matter what I say about this book, I will not be able to do it justice. It is a fantastic story that is filled with incredible characters. It is impossible to not form some attachment to these unique and original characters. The story touches on aspects that most people have had to endure. One of the topics that is explored is loneliness. It is explored with compassion, humour and self-reflection. The story is the perfect combination of humour, seriousness and sci-fi.
Overall, Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid is a story that I highly recommend.
No matter what I say about this book, I will not be able to do it justice. It is a fantastic story that is filled with incredible characters. It is impossible to not form some attachment to these unique and original characters. The story touches on aspects that most people have had to endure. One of the topics that is explored is loneliness. It is explored with compassion, humour and self-reflection. The story is the perfect combination of humour, seriousness and sci-fi.
Overall, Confessions of a Gentleman Arachnid is a story that I highly recommend.
November 10, 2020
Very funny, full of references to pop culture (especially Doctor Who), basically a spider space opera version of Jeeves and Wooster. So very ridiculously British. Plot and pacing good, Milligan's voice is excellent, also some nice stuff on being trans sneaked in near the end.
July 6, 2017
I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I wasn't sure what to expect with a title like that, but actualy liked it. It was rather different in terms of the writing and the scenario layed out within the plot and to that extent made a refreshing change from the "same old, same old" that we all get a bit tired of.
If you fancy something a bit off the wall, try this one.
I wasn't sure what to expect with a title like that, but actualy liked it. It was rather different in terms of the writing and the scenario layed out within the plot and to that extent made a refreshing change from the "same old, same old" that we all get a bit tired of.
If you fancy something a bit off the wall, try this one.
March 28, 2022
The title should really be enough to convince you to read this if you're up for some amazing humour, and the novel certainly delivers on that. But there's so much more to it too. It is extremely original, has lovely characters, plenty of pop culture references (but not in an obnoxious way), a fun setting, and actually touches on some really profound topics. Also, I want to point out it's not all that spidery. I'm not a fan of spiders, and had no trouble reading this.
If you like P.G. Wodehouse and/or Douglas Adams, you'll probably enjoy this.
If you like P.G. Wodehouse and/or Douglas Adams, you'll probably enjoy this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews