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Calling Major Tom
Calling Major Tom is a heartwarming, quirky and ultimately life-affirming story of friendship, family and forgiveness - and the world's most unlikely astronaut.
A man who has given up on the world. A family who show him how to live.
Forty-something Thomas is very happy to be on his own, far away from other people and their problems. But beneath his grumpy exterior lies a story and a sadness that is familiar to us all. And he's about to encounter a family who will change his view of the world... for good.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
February 3, 2019
Calling Major Tom by David M Barnett .............. where to start!
The storyline is certainly imaginative, bizarre even.
Thomas Major, grumpy and world weary, is hurtling, by accident, towards Mars in a space shuttle (bear with me) when he randomly comes into phone contact with Gladys, an elderly lady with dementia and her struggling family down on earth.
Ellie, a hardworking but extremely jaded 15 year old and her 10 year old, chemistry mad brother James are great characters and their mountain of woes gradually become our own.
It soon becomes clear that the story isn’t a surreal fantasy and all begins to make sense as Thomas’s sad life is carefully pieced together.
Calling Major Tom is a book of space travel, contemporary post brexit Britain, of fractured families and failed relationships ……. add to this a little science and a lot of David Bowie and you begin to get the picture!
There’s some flitting about generations to fill in background stories and the unobtrusive references to British life over the decades are spot on ie I could recognise and relate to them all.
The more earnest reader may point out that the story is a bit far fetched and that there is a degree of sentimentality. There is certainly some heavy tugging on the heartstrings. I saw a critical review that said the book was a ‘bit Disney’ - this is actually quite fair.
But .......... if you let it, it all sort of works!
David M Barnett writes in the tradition of Matt Haig, David Nichols and Jonathon Coe. This, his first novel, is funny, down to earth and genuinely moving.
If you feel like a draught of something warm and intoxicating this winter - a book that that will make you laugh and maybe blink away the odd tear, then give Calling Major Tom a go …… I loved it :)
The storyline is certainly imaginative, bizarre even.
Thomas Major, grumpy and world weary, is hurtling, by accident, towards Mars in a space shuttle (bear with me) when he randomly comes into phone contact with Gladys, an elderly lady with dementia and her struggling family down on earth.
Ellie, a hardworking but extremely jaded 15 year old and her 10 year old, chemistry mad brother James are great characters and their mountain of woes gradually become our own.
It soon becomes clear that the story isn’t a surreal fantasy and all begins to make sense as Thomas’s sad life is carefully pieced together.
Calling Major Tom is a book of space travel, contemporary post brexit Britain, of fractured families and failed relationships ……. add to this a little science and a lot of David Bowie and you begin to get the picture!
There’s some flitting about generations to fill in background stories and the unobtrusive references to British life over the decades are spot on ie I could recognise and relate to them all.
The more earnest reader may point out that the story is a bit far fetched and that there is a degree of sentimentality. There is certainly some heavy tugging on the heartstrings. I saw a critical review that said the book was a ‘bit Disney’ - this is actually quite fair.
But .......... if you let it, it all sort of works!
David M Barnett writes in the tradition of Matt Haig, David Nichols and Jonathon Coe. This, his first novel, is funny, down to earth and genuinely moving.
If you feel like a draught of something warm and intoxicating this winter - a book that that will make you laugh and maybe blink away the odd tear, then give Calling Major Tom a go …… I loved it :)
May 16, 2017
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much. It made me laugh and cry, then laugh and cry even more.
I loved everything about this book. The characters were wonderful, and by the end of the book I loved them as if they were my own family.
Gladys made me laugh so much. She’s such a funny and quirky old lady.
“Gladys might read her book if she can find it. Or remember what it’s called. Or even what it’s about.”
This had me laughing out loud, as I know this situation all too well. Sometimes I find it hilarious that I’m even a book blogger, seeing as I can’t remember a book pretty much as soon as I’ve finished it, or even while reading it on some occasions, come to think of it. Thank goodness for my scribbles in notebooks.
I loved that Thomas was a grumpy man trying to escape the world and the people within it. His adventure reminded me of the shed my dad built for my sisters and me when we were young. I’ve always been happy in my own company and I used to go time travelling in it, using a broken radio and an old keyboard. Oh, what exciting adventures I had. Now I’m a grown-up I just have a potting shed, which is somewhat less exciting.
Experiencing the friendship develop between Thomas and Gladys and her grandchildren, James and Ellie was so incredibly endearing. I’m trying not to cry again at the thought of it. I can still feel it pulling at my heartstrings.
Calling Major Tom is a funny, sad and emotional story of love, loss, hope and determination. If this story teaches the reader anything, it is to appreciate what you have and never give up hope or trying to become a better person.
“One man went to mow, went to mow a meadow…” I’ll leave that with you, because I’ve had it going round in my head all day. I had actually forgotten it existed until reading this book.
The best advice I can give you today is to add this wonderful book to your reading wish list.
I loved everything about this book. The characters were wonderful, and by the end of the book I loved them as if they were my own family.
Gladys made me laugh so much. She’s such a funny and quirky old lady.
“Gladys might read her book if she can find it. Or remember what it’s called. Or even what it’s about.”
This had me laughing out loud, as I know this situation all too well. Sometimes I find it hilarious that I’m even a book blogger, seeing as I can’t remember a book pretty much as soon as I’ve finished it, or even while reading it on some occasions, come to think of it. Thank goodness for my scribbles in notebooks.
I loved that Thomas was a grumpy man trying to escape the world and the people within it. His adventure reminded me of the shed my dad built for my sisters and me when we were young. I’ve always been happy in my own company and I used to go time travelling in it, using a broken radio and an old keyboard. Oh, what exciting adventures I had. Now I’m a grown-up I just have a potting shed, which is somewhat less exciting.
Experiencing the friendship develop between Thomas and Gladys and her grandchildren, James and Ellie was so incredibly endearing. I’m trying not to cry again at the thought of it. I can still feel it pulling at my heartstrings.
Calling Major Tom is a funny, sad and emotional story of love, loss, hope and determination. If this story teaches the reader anything, it is to appreciate what you have and never give up hope or trying to become a better person.
“One man went to mow, went to mow a meadow…” I’ll leave that with you, because I’ve had it going round in my head all day. I had actually forgotten it existed until reading this book.
The best advice I can give you today is to add this wonderful book to your reading wish list.
May 6, 2019
What a sweet and amusing book.
A very different read to what I was expecting, but it made me smile and it was moving as well!
The main players are;
Thomas Major the grumpy astronaut heading to Mars, also known as Major Tom.
Ellie and James - brother and sister living with their grandmother Gladys.
And of course the main star of the show, in my opinion, Gladys herself ! She is suffering with the start of dementia and knows it....some of her comments and thought are amusing and poignant.
As unlikely as it seems, their lives collide!
Yes, it’s a feel good book, but I loved it ...... it really is a must read!
A very different read to what I was expecting, but it made me smile and it was moving as well!
The main players are;
Thomas Major the grumpy astronaut heading to Mars, also known as Major Tom.
Ellie and James - brother and sister living with their grandmother Gladys.
And of course the main star of the show, in my opinion, Gladys herself ! She is suffering with the start of dementia and knows it....some of her comments and thought are amusing and poignant.
As unlikely as it seems, their lives collide!
Yes, it’s a feel good book, but I loved it ...... it really is a must read!
July 10, 2020
Ground control to Major Tom ... I hope you've got David Bowie's Space Oddity playing as you read this review, I've had it as the soundtrack while reading this novel.
Calling Major Tom is a delightful novel, with an original premise. Curmudgeon forty-seven-year-old chemist, Thomas Major, is fed up with life and people. His dislike of people takes him on a one-way trip to Mars. Yep, you've read that correctly. Well, it turns out, you can't escape people even when you're in space. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. When Tom accidentally gets to talk to the seventy-year-old Gladys, he also gets to learn about and meet her two grandchildren, Ellie, fifteen and James, ten. Their mother passed away and their father is incarcerated, so Gladys is their guardian.
Their life is difficult. Will Tom be able to make himself care for someone else and therefore make himself useful? Read and find out.
Praise the book goddesses, I've finally found a good lighter read. This one had all the right ingredients for a feel-good read, without being too schmaltzy or melodramatic.
Recommended
Calling Major Tom is a delightful novel, with an original premise. Curmudgeon forty-seven-year-old chemist, Thomas Major, is fed up with life and people. His dislike of people takes him on a one-way trip to Mars. Yep, you've read that correctly. Well, it turns out, you can't escape people even when you're in space. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. When Tom accidentally gets to talk to the seventy-year-old Gladys, he also gets to learn about and meet her two grandchildren, Ellie, fifteen and James, ten. Their mother passed away and their father is incarcerated, so Gladys is their guardian.
Their life is difficult. Will Tom be able to make himself care for someone else and therefore make himself useful? Read and find out.
Praise the book goddesses, I've finally found a good lighter read. This one had all the right ingredients for a feel-good read, without being too schmaltzy or melodramatic.
Recommended
Read
March 21, 2018Човек на име Уве среща Марсианеца. Не мога.
April 2, 2019
Barnett has written a lovely, feel-good story that is perfect for young adults. Barnett includes the music of David Bowie, a curmudgeon astronaut on his way to Mars, and a struggling family. Ellie and James’ mother is dead; their father is in prison. Gladys, their 71-year-old grandmother, is suffering dementia. Major Tom accidentally calls Gladys’ phone; and with that, all four lives are changed.
In an interview, Barnett hopes that readers will come away with the following message—“no matter how bad things seem or actually are, there is always hope. And we can find out—sometimes in the most remarkable and unexpected way—that even if like Thomas we give up on the world, sometimes the world doesn’t give up on us.” Recommend.
In an interview, Barnett hopes that readers will come away with the following message—“no matter how bad things seem or actually are, there is always hope. And we can find out—sometimes in the most remarkable and unexpected way—that even if like Thomas we give up on the world, sometimes the world doesn’t give up on us.” Recommend.
September 17, 2018
Well, I am not sure how I came to this book, possibly a review here on GR. I was in the mood for something totally different and this certainly delivers ! A few pages in and I thought, mmhhh, slightly frustrated, why am I reading this nonsensical completely “daft” story? Some pages on from that thought and I was hooked ! The story follows Thomas, a 40 odd yr old looking for a new life , having seemingly made a mess of his old one. We read about his childhood ( a bit sad) and gradually learn more about him and why he felt like a failure. The second story thread is about the Ormerod Family, Nan, who is loosing her marbles( and is aware of it ) James a 10 yr old who is clever, bullied at school and missing his Dad, and Ellie, the 15 yr old who is doing everything she can to look after the family, and all that entails, money worries, social services etc.
How they all come to meet is a story of warmth, humour, compassion and of course as I said earlier, daftness ! It was a real pleasure to read it.
How they all come to meet is a story of warmth, humour, compassion and of course as I said earlier, daftness ! It was a real pleasure to read it.
February 8, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and David M Barnett for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you like your stories warm and heartfelt, that will make you laugh and cry then this book is most defiantly for you.
Every time I saw this book and picked it up to read the song 'Calling Major Tom' by David Bowie came into my head.
This is the first David M Barrett's books that I have read and I am very happy to say that this won't be my last. David seems to write so effortlessly and makes the story and characters come alive so easily. I highly recommend this book.
Tom Major the hero and main character in this book finds himself being the first ever astronaut to travel to Mars. While in the spaceship Tom dials a wrong number on the phone and gets put through to a random family who are in desperate need of help and they all become unlikely friends. It is a journey of a book which all sounds unbelievable but when reading the book is highly probable. Get ready to suspend disbelief. Forget the real world for a few hours and immerse yourself in this book. I promise you won't regret it.
Happy reading everyone
If you like your stories warm and heartfelt, that will make you laugh and cry then this book is most defiantly for you.
Every time I saw this book and picked it up to read the song 'Calling Major Tom' by David Bowie came into my head.
This is the first David M Barrett's books that I have read and I am very happy to say that this won't be my last. David seems to write so effortlessly and makes the story and characters come alive so easily. I highly recommend this book.
Tom Major the hero and main character in this book finds himself being the first ever astronaut to travel to Mars. While in the spaceship Tom dials a wrong number on the phone and gets put through to a random family who are in desperate need of help and they all become unlikely friends. It is a journey of a book which all sounds unbelievable but when reading the book is highly probable. Get ready to suspend disbelief. Forget the real world for a few hours and immerse yourself in this book. I promise you won't regret it.
Happy reading everyone
January 27, 2017
What a delightfully quirky book! Thomas Major has not had a happy life so when an unforeseen event occurs to put him in the position of being on a one-way trip alone to Mars it seems a perfect fit for him. Although a David Bowie fan he could have done without constantly being referred to as Major Tom but seems to be stuck with it. When a communications fault arises he finds himself in touch with a family who have a lot more problems than he has.
I just loved the characters in this book. Put away any thoughts of, "that couldn't possibly happen" & sit back and enjoy the ride. This had me in tears and not always of laughter. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this fabulous five star read!
I just loved the characters in this book. Put away any thoughts of, "that couldn't possibly happen" & sit back and enjoy the ride. This had me in tears and not always of laughter. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this fabulous five star read!
January 16, 2018
Reading this is like taking a vacation. The story flows like water through a meadow in summer, collecting in a serene and sunlit lake with gentle ripples at the edges.
It will make you smile and feel good all over, from the surface of your skin to the marrow in your bones. There’s a character in here which you will identify with, or I imagine to be nearer the truth, a little bit of all of them.
If you have no other mission for 2018, give yourself a three-point plan:
1. Buy it
2. Read it
3. Feel remarkably good.
So it goes (and in passing leaves you wanting to read more from Mr Barnett.)
It will make you smile and feel good all over, from the surface of your skin to the marrow in your bones. There’s a character in here which you will identify with, or I imagine to be nearer the truth, a little bit of all of them.
If you have no other mission for 2018, give yourself a three-point plan:
1. Buy it
2. Read it
3. Feel remarkably good.
So it goes (and in passing leaves you wanting to read more from Mr Barnett.)
November 8, 2020
This book was an unexpected pleasant surprise. I was looking for something upbeat and light but had nothing like that on my TBR shelf. My wife suggested that this book that she had recently finished might be what I'm looking for. She thought it quite amusing, funny in fact. After reading it I can say there are some amusing bits but it isn't funny, at least that isn't its purpose. I found it rather sad in many respects and then more than a little moving. The book is a voyage through human experiences and emotion. It is a voyage where man has gone over and over again but still has difficulty arriving unscathed at his destination.
The story is about an accidental British astronaut named Thomas Major on a one way trip to Mars. Thomas has not had the most rewarding or pleasant of lives and, in fact, is haunted by his past and that affects his relationships going into adulthood. Thomas become an anti-social curmudgeon and when the opportunity to take this one man one way trip to Mars literally falls into his arms he grabs it. He is fed up with people and considers 10 to 15 years alone on Mars to be a heaven sent blessing. While on this journey his communications link goes down and he has to resort to a back-up phone system. During a lull in his capsule he decides to see if he can call his ex-wife on this antiquated back-up phone so he dials the number. Instead of his ex-wife he has reached Gladys Ormerod the guardian and grandmother to Ellie, age 15, and James, aged 10. The mother of these two kids is dead and their dad is serving time in prison and their grandmother's guardianship is all that keeps them together instead of in foster care. Gladys is, unfortunately, a victim of progressing dementia and 15 year old Ellie is juggling school, 3 jobs, and a chaotic home situation and now a close encounter with a curmudgeon astronaut but she is determined to avoid social services and foster care for her and her brother and a nursing home for Gladys. As I stated above there are some amusing bits to this story and the title character might be Major Tom but the real hero of the story is Ellie. You will have a chuckle or two but you will feel for Ellie as she struggles to cope with challenges any adult would cave under and in the course of the story a curmudgeon is brought to the realization of what he has left behind and what he has to look forward to. A great little story and a wonderful change of pace read for me. Enjoy.
The story is about an accidental British astronaut named Thomas Major on a one way trip to Mars. Thomas has not had the most rewarding or pleasant of lives and, in fact, is haunted by his past and that affects his relationships going into adulthood. Thomas become an anti-social curmudgeon and when the opportunity to take this one man one way trip to Mars literally falls into his arms he grabs it. He is fed up with people and considers 10 to 15 years alone on Mars to be a heaven sent blessing. While on this journey his communications link goes down and he has to resort to a back-up phone system. During a lull in his capsule he decides to see if he can call his ex-wife on this antiquated back-up phone so he dials the number. Instead of his ex-wife he has reached Gladys Ormerod the guardian and grandmother to Ellie, age 15, and James, aged 10. The mother of these two kids is dead and their dad is serving time in prison and their grandmother's guardianship is all that keeps them together instead of in foster care. Gladys is, unfortunately, a victim of progressing dementia and 15 year old Ellie is juggling school, 3 jobs, and a chaotic home situation and now a close encounter with a curmudgeon astronaut but she is determined to avoid social services and foster care for her and her brother and a nursing home for Gladys. As I stated above there are some amusing bits to this story and the title character might be Major Tom but the real hero of the story is Ellie. You will have a chuckle or two but you will feel for Ellie as she struggles to cope with challenges any adult would cave under and in the course of the story a curmudgeon is brought to the realization of what he has left behind and what he has to look forward to. A great little story and a wonderful change of pace read for me. Enjoy.
August 12, 2020
This is a well written, feel good story about Thomas Major, a scientist whose life has involved a long string of sad and unfortunate personal relationships and events. Through a weird twist of fate, he’s presented with the opportunity to become the first astronaut to land on Mars, a one way trip which is fine with him since he’s completely done with living on Earth and dealing with its inhabitants and the grief they’ve caused in his life. And set at the time of Bowie’s death, being able to signal him with the iconic “Ground control to Major Tom” (never mind that’s his name in reverse) is a PR coup.
Bored when the ship’s comm system goes down, he tries using the onboard phone to call his ex-wife, whose number has been reassigned to a family with a whole series of their own problems: the Mom was killed in a car crash; in a misguided attempt to make some extra cash, the Dad gets caught up in a heist and is serving jail time; Grandma Nan, the designated adult and caretaker for the kids is steadily losing her mind from dementia; their young son, James, is a science genius who’s getting bullied at school; and teenaged Ellie is trying to juggle school, three jobs, and Nan’s antics (at one point she impersonates Robert De Niro’s character in Taxi Driver to teach the bullies a lesson), all the while trying to keep everyone flying under the radar to keep family services from nosing around and potentially breaking up the family. Things come to a head when Nan unfortunately gets scammed and gives away all the family’s meager savings, so now they’re looking at eviction. But then they get a call from the spaceman, and lives are not only changed for the family, but also for Major Tom.
While one of the major plot lines is totally predictable, it really didn’t matter. I completely fell in love with these characters and their struggles, and how they tried to overcome what life’s dealt them, in sometimes the most amusing ways, and I couldn’t help cheering them all on! There was a final plot point that I didn’t see coming, and that nailed the book for me. A sweet and satisfying read...recommended!
Sent from my iPhone
Bored when the ship’s comm system goes down, he tries using the onboard phone to call his ex-wife, whose number has been reassigned to a family with a whole series of their own problems: the Mom was killed in a car crash; in a misguided attempt to make some extra cash, the Dad gets caught up in a heist and is serving jail time; Grandma Nan, the designated adult and caretaker for the kids is steadily losing her mind from dementia; their young son, James, is a science genius who’s getting bullied at school; and teenaged Ellie is trying to juggle school, three jobs, and Nan’s antics (at one point she impersonates Robert De Niro’s character in Taxi Driver to teach the bullies a lesson), all the while trying to keep everyone flying under the radar to keep family services from nosing around and potentially breaking up the family. Things come to a head when Nan unfortunately gets scammed and gives away all the family’s meager savings, so now they’re looking at eviction. But then they get a call from the spaceman, and lives are not only changed for the family, but also for Major Tom.
While one of the major plot lines is totally predictable, it really didn’t matter. I completely fell in love with these characters and their struggles, and how they tried to overcome what life’s dealt them, in sometimes the most amusing ways, and I couldn’t help cheering them all on! There was a final plot point that I didn’t see coming, and that nailed the book for me. A sweet and satisfying read...recommended!
Sent from my iPhone
February 6, 2019
I was skeptical when I first started reading Calling Major Tom, and had a hard time getting into it. But it turns out, I shouldn't have worried! Calling Major Tom turned out to be amazing
– it had me sighing with contentment after I finished it (literally – it was so wholesome!) And around the 70% mark, I was actually fast-walking through the rooms in the house as I was listening to the book on text to speech – because I was too worried about the characters to sit down! (I am absolutely not kidding.)
Read the full post on my blog here to find out the reasons why:
I thank Trapeze, Orion Publishing Group for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Read Post On My Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
Read the full post on my blog here to find out the reasons why:
I thank Trapeze, Orion Publishing Group for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Read Post On My Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
January 19, 2017
Another little gem of a book, on a par with A Man Called Ove. It is sweet, gentle, heartbreaking at times and has you on the edge of your seat willing the characters onto success. Yes, you have to suspend belief, the plot is crazy and I have no idea how much is scientifically correct but I really don't care. I loved everything about it.
Thank you to TBC on FB and Netgalley for my arc in return for an honest review.
Thank you to TBC on FB and Netgalley for my arc in return for an honest review.
November 6, 2017
What do a dysfunctional family and a grumpy scientist on his way to Mars have in common? Nothing you would think. But this quirky novel manages to tie them together. Tom Major ends up on the craft to Mars by default, when the astronaut who was to take the flight dies. Having had a miserable life and feeling he has nothing on earth to live for, Tom steps in to take his place. Being the day David Bowie dies, the press make the connection between Bowie’s Space Oddity and Tom’s name. They label him Major Tom. The family Tom inadvertently comes to connect with are Gladys, and her grandchildren Ellie and James. She is supposedly caring for the children while her son Darren is in jail. The reality is far different. Fifteen year old Ellie is the one doing much of the work, trying to hold the family together so social services don’t find out her Gran has dementia and step in to place Ellie and James into foster care. Gladys may have dementia but she still has her moments that show she is still a force to be reckoned with.
If that all sounds rather heavy, believe me, it is not. The tone of the novel is humorous and there are many moments that will leave you chuckling. And maybe some that will have you in tears. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief when you read this book, but it is worth it. It is a lot of fun, but not without its sad moments and serious issues. There is a bit of use of the f word but that sadly, seems to be par for the course in just about any book you pick up these days.
I found this to be a refreshingly, quirky read that had me engaged from start to finish. A delightfully different book about love, guilt, forgiveness, bullying, and friendship. Suspend disbelief and see if you don’t love it as I did. A reading group guide at the back makes it a great choice for a book club.
If that all sounds rather heavy, believe me, it is not. The tone of the novel is humorous and there are many moments that will leave you chuckling. And maybe some that will have you in tears. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief when you read this book, but it is worth it. It is a lot of fun, but not without its sad moments and serious issues. There is a bit of use of the f word but that sadly, seems to be par for the course in just about any book you pick up these days.
I found this to be a refreshingly, quirky read that had me engaged from start to finish. A delightfully different book about love, guilt, forgiveness, bullying, and friendship. Suspend disbelief and see if you don’t love it as I did. A reading group guide at the back makes it a great choice for a book club.
March 21, 2018
Os voy a ser sincera. Este libro ha sido uno de esos por los que no daba ni un duro. Con el que he pasado tres noches prácticamente a pico y pala, porque mi orgullo lector me impide dejar un libro a medias y... ¡BENDITO ORGULLO!
Thomas Major, pensaba que serías un personaje más en la novela pero tú eres el que has dejado las mejores reflexiones. El que más has ayudado, sin casi quererlo ni pretenderlo, a Gladys, Ellie y James. Sin embargo, a través de ellos se ha ayudado así mismo. Se marchó a Marte porque ya no le quedaba nada por lo que luchar en la Tierra. Estaba equivocado. Cuando una puerta se cierra, se abren otras tantas y para que esto ocurra tenemos que poner todo de nuestra parte y nunca, nunca, tirar la toalla.
Pensaba que el autor había metido a diestro y siniestro personajes que no iban a aportar nada. Estaba completamente equivocada, porque aún siendo familias desectructuradas hacen las cosas a su manera. Aquí el fin si justifica los medios. Maquiavelo se sentiría muy orgulloso del cuarteto tan magnífico que han conformado el antiastronauta Tom, la intranquila Ellie, el incansable James y nuestra alocada Gladys.
Si tienes oportunidad leed a Barnett porque no os va a defraudar lo más mínimo.
Thomas Major, pensaba que serías un personaje más en la novela pero tú eres el que has dejado las mejores reflexiones. El que más has ayudado, sin casi quererlo ni pretenderlo, a Gladys, Ellie y James. Sin embargo, a través de ellos se ha ayudado así mismo. Se marchó a Marte porque ya no le quedaba nada por lo que luchar en la Tierra. Estaba equivocado. Cuando una puerta se cierra, se abren otras tantas y para que esto ocurra tenemos que poner todo de nuestra parte y nunca, nunca, tirar la toalla.
Pensaba que el autor había metido a diestro y siniestro personajes que no iban a aportar nada. Estaba completamente equivocada, porque aún siendo familias desectructuradas hacen las cosas a su manera. Aquí el fin si justifica los medios. Maquiavelo se sentiría muy orgulloso del cuarteto tan magnífico que han conformado el antiastronauta Tom, la intranquila Ellie, el incansable James y nuestra alocada Gladys.
Si tienes oportunidad leed a Barnett porque no os va a defraudar lo más mínimo.
November 20, 2020
"Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do!"
Though I took very long time to finish this book, it teared me up none the less.
Barnett has a humorous insight on everyday life, giving life philosophies while making you laugh and cry. More like Backman's style that I know of.
I'm giving this novel 5 star, not because it is an extraordinary story or extraordinary writing, but because it is a simple story that is heartfelt and beautiful ❤️
"There is a Starman
Waiting for you
In the sky"
Though I took very long time to finish this book, it teared me up none the less.
Barnett has a humorous insight on everyday life, giving life philosophies while making you laugh and cry. More like Backman's style that I know of.
I'm giving this novel 5 star, not because it is an extraordinary story or extraordinary writing, but because it is a simple story that is heartfelt and beautiful ❤️
"There is a Starman
Waiting for you
In the sky"
February 18, 2024
Um livro original que me divertiu bastante!
May 10, 2019
"The Meerkat" is a minor character in Calling Major Tom, so-called as a reference to the Compare the Meerkat marketing campaign in the UK. This serves as a good barometer for whether readers will enjoy Calling Major Tom. If you’re the kind of person who finds themselves in constant waves of hysterics at the antics of the ubiquitous Insurance company mascot you’ll probably enjoy the humour in Calling Major Tom.
When looking into this book I saw it had been optioned to be turned into a film. This comes as no surprise, as it has all the hallmarks of an easy watching, forgettable film shown on ITV3 around Christmas time. Hopefully with some reasonable direction and competent acting it will be tolerable, if disposable viewing.
Without this the book is a strange slog. Strange because the prose is so basically written (beneath the standard of most young adult fiction, comparable to pulp fiction or chick-lit) that it should be a breeze. However the jokes are so excruciatingly naff, the flights of fancy so ephemeral and flimsy and the characters so grindingly tedious I found this book a real struggle to finish.
The story follows a dysfunctional family, a lovably grumpy astronaut and one of the most irritatingly whacky grannies ever put to page. Dementia is a horrible illness. It turns loved ones into strangers and takes a huge emotional toll on the person and those closest to them. In Calling Major Tom Dementia mainly manifests itself through kooky outbursts, culminating in a bizarre comedic passage where zany Nana-Wigan shouts a racial epithet at Delil, the Only Ethnic in The Village. Oh Nan, you silly old racist!
Gladys’ funny mental illness is just one of the many problems that has befallen the family. They are poor. And Northern. With the father in prison and the son bullied they are struggling to keep the family unit together. Fortunately Major Tom, a ludicrous character who has been selected for a mission to Mars due a confused PR stunt, is on hand to help them. Over the phone. The Space Phone.
The plot unfolds in a fairly predictable way. The author attempts to add some edge and darkness to proceedings but honestly these are so vanilla that if anything it sweetens an already saccharine pudding of a book.
While gran is an over the top jack-in-the-box of twee (painfully unfunny) outbursts, Major Tom is your typical lovable grouch. Except he isn't lovable. He's a relentlessly un-endearing grumpy twat who’s supposedly acerbic wit is actually the banter of a sixth former experimenting with being aloof.
The plot sets out its stall early on as not to be taken too seriously, but even within these parameters it veers into the ridiculous.
Calling Major Tom is certainly not without merit, and I’ve probably been over-harsh in this review. It is very much not to my personal taste as opposed to an objectively bad book. However it is worth repeating that in Calling Major Tom there is a character called “The Meerkat” in reference to an Insurance company’s advertising campaign. This book is not for me. Simples.
When looking into this book I saw it had been optioned to be turned into a film. This comes as no surprise, as it has all the hallmarks of an easy watching, forgettable film shown on ITV3 around Christmas time. Hopefully with some reasonable direction and competent acting it will be tolerable, if disposable viewing.
Without this the book is a strange slog. Strange because the prose is so basically written (beneath the standard of most young adult fiction, comparable to pulp fiction or chick-lit) that it should be a breeze. However the jokes are so excruciatingly naff, the flights of fancy so ephemeral and flimsy and the characters so grindingly tedious I found this book a real struggle to finish.
The story follows a dysfunctional family, a lovably grumpy astronaut and one of the most irritatingly whacky grannies ever put to page. Dementia is a horrible illness. It turns loved ones into strangers and takes a huge emotional toll on the person and those closest to them. In Calling Major Tom Dementia mainly manifests itself through kooky outbursts, culminating in a bizarre comedic passage where zany Nana-Wigan shouts a racial epithet at Delil, the Only Ethnic in The Village. Oh Nan, you silly old racist!
Gladys’ funny mental illness is just one of the many problems that has befallen the family. They are poor. And Northern. With the father in prison and the son bullied they are struggling to keep the family unit together. Fortunately Major Tom, a ludicrous character who has been selected for a mission to Mars due a confused PR stunt, is on hand to help them. Over the phone. The Space Phone.
The plot unfolds in a fairly predictable way. The author attempts to add some edge and darkness to proceedings but honestly these are so vanilla that if anything it sweetens an already saccharine pudding of a book.
While gran is an over the top jack-in-the-box of twee (painfully unfunny) outbursts, Major Tom is your typical lovable grouch. Except he isn't lovable. He's a relentlessly un-endearing grumpy twat who’s supposedly acerbic wit is actually the banter of a sixth former experimenting with being aloof.
The plot sets out its stall early on as not to be taken too seriously, but even within these parameters it veers into the ridiculous.
Calling Major Tom is certainly not without merit, and I’ve probably been over-harsh in this review. It is very much not to my personal taste as opposed to an objectively bad book. However it is worth repeating that in Calling Major Tom there is a character called “The Meerkat” in reference to an Insurance company’s advertising campaign. This book is not for me. Simples.
July 3, 2018
Thomas Major befindet sich auf einem Flug zum Mars, als er beschließt, noch kurz seine Exfrau anzurufen. Doch statt seiner Exfrau hat er plötzlich Miss Gladys an der Strippe, eine fast 71-jährige Dame mit beginnender Demenz. Am liebsten würde Thomas direkt wieder auflegen, doch die Familie von Gladys benötigt dringend seine Hilfe. Miss Gladys soll sich eigentlich um ihre Enkel Ellie und James kümmern, deren Mutter tot und deren Vater im Gefängnis ist. Durch einige Handlungen aufgrund ihrer Demenz bringt Gladys die Familie allerdings in immer größere Schwierigkeiten, bis schließlich sogar die Zwangsräumung droht. Hilfe können sie sich nicht holen, da sie befürchten, dass Gladys dann in ein Pflegeheim und die Kinder in Pflegefamilien untergebracht werden.
Eigentlich ist dies nicht unbedingt eine Geschichte, die in mein Beuteschema passt, doch das Cover und die Kurzbeschreibung haben mich neugierig gemacht und ich habe es nicht bereut. In kurzen Kapiteln, was mir persönlich sehr gut gefallen hat, erzählt der Autor abwechselnd aus der Sicht der Protagonisten. Diese haben mir ausnahmslos sehr gut gefallen. Besonders hat es mir der griesgrämige Astronaut Thomas angetan, dessen Vergangenheit noch einmal besonders beleuchtet wird. So konnte man gut nachvollziehen, warum er das Leben auf der Erde satt hat und die Ruhe des Weltalls vorzieht.
Traurige und lustige Momente hielten sich die Waage und ich musste mehrmals lauthals lachen, denn Major Tom ist schon eine besondere Marke.
"Das Schönste daran im All zu sein? Ganz einfach: dass ich nicht auf der Erde bin."
Zum Ende hin wurde es noch einmal spannend und man fiebert richtig mit, ob die Familie das drohende Unheil noch abwenden kann.
Fazit:
Eine sehr lesenswerte Geschichte über Familienzusammenhalt, Freundschaft und Hoffnung, gespickt mit einer ordentlichen Portion Humor, aber auch traurigen Momenten, die zum Nachdenken anregen.
Eigentlich ist dies nicht unbedingt eine Geschichte, die in mein Beuteschema passt, doch das Cover und die Kurzbeschreibung haben mich neugierig gemacht und ich habe es nicht bereut. In kurzen Kapiteln, was mir persönlich sehr gut gefallen hat, erzählt der Autor abwechselnd aus der Sicht der Protagonisten. Diese haben mir ausnahmslos sehr gut gefallen. Besonders hat es mir der griesgrämige Astronaut Thomas angetan, dessen Vergangenheit noch einmal besonders beleuchtet wird. So konnte man gut nachvollziehen, warum er das Leben auf der Erde satt hat und die Ruhe des Weltalls vorzieht.
Traurige und lustige Momente hielten sich die Waage und ich musste mehrmals lauthals lachen, denn Major Tom ist schon eine besondere Marke.
"Das Schönste daran im All zu sein? Ganz einfach: dass ich nicht auf der Erde bin."
Zum Ende hin wurde es noch einmal spannend und man fiebert richtig mit, ob die Familie das drohende Unheil noch abwenden kann.
Fazit:
Eine sehr lesenswerte Geschichte über Familienzusammenhalt, Freundschaft und Hoffnung, gespickt mit einer ordentlichen Portion Humor, aber auch traurigen Momenten, die zum Nachdenken anregen.
May 9, 2018
Actual Rating 4.5
This book is science-lite, and it is important to make sure your suspension of disbelief is properly functional before embarking on this journey. But if you can manage that, you’re in for an incredibly fun and engrossing ride.
Thomas is a chemist working for BriSPA (the British Space Agency) who ends up being sent into space purely because he was the only one present when the guy who had actually been selected died of a heart attack right before the press conference announcing him. Thomas liked the sound of going into space and getting away from the entire human race, so he put on the dead man’s orange space-suit and went out to greet the press.
Through the fact that Bowie had died that day and this man’s name is Thomas Major, he becomes an immediate sensation.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
This book is science-lite, and it is important to make sure your suspension of disbelief is properly functional before embarking on this journey. But if you can manage that, you’re in for an incredibly fun and engrossing ride.
Thomas is a chemist working for BriSPA (the British Space Agency) who ends up being sent into space purely because he was the only one present when the guy who had actually been selected died of a heart attack right before the press conference announcing him. Thomas liked the sound of going into space and getting away from the entire human race, so he put on the dead man’s orange space-suit and went out to greet the press.
Through the fact that Bowie had died that day and this man’s name is Thomas Major, he becomes an immediate sensation.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
June 6, 2018
Was für eine schöne Geschichte! Auf jeden Fall mal etwas anderes. Die Charaktere waren wir total sympathisch.
March 25, 2021
Predecible a más no poder, pero que da igual porque es muy tierno y chulo. :)
July 8, 2018
Das Gedächtnis lässt die 70-jährige Gladys Ormerod immer stärker im Stich, aber blöd ist sie nicht. Nein, sie hat wirklich mit dem Menschen telefoniert, der als erster auf dem Weg zum Mars ist, um den Planeten bewohnbar zu machen. Da ist sie sich sicher. Doch Astronaut Thomas Major (47), von den Medien „Major Tom“ genannt, wollte eigentlich gar nicht mit Miss Gladys, sondern seiner Exfrau Janet sprechen. Am liebsten würde der verbitterte und vom Leben sehr enttäuschte Engländer gleich wieder auflegen, doch die ältere Dame und ihre Enkelkinder Ellie (15) und James (10) stecken in ernsten Schwierigkeiten. Während Vater Darren im Gefängnis sitzt, stehen die Ormerods kurz davor, aus ihrem Haus geworfen zu werfen. Wie kann der Familie bloß geholfen werden, ohne dass die Behörden Wind davon bekommen und die Minderjährigen von ihrer Oma trennen?
„Miss Gladys und ihr Astronaut“ ist ein tragikomischer Roman von David M. Barnett über eine ungewöhnliche Freundschaft.
Meine Meinung:
Der Roman besteht aus drei Teilen mit insgesamt 68 Kapiteln von einer angenehmen Länge. Erzählt wird aus der Perspektive unterschiedlicher Figuren. Neben dem Geschehen in der Gegenwart gibt es immer wieder Rückblenden, wobei ich die Übergänge zum Teil etwas verwirrend fand. Das kann auch daran gelegen haben, dass fast durchgehend im Präsens erzählt wird. Insgesamt hat mir der Aufbau jedoch ganz gut gefallen.
Der Schreibstil ist locker und flüssig, die Beschreibungen sind lebhaft und anschaulich. Schön finde ich die Verweise zu Musiktiteln, Filmen und anderer Literatur.
Die Charaktere sind reizvoll gewählt. Nicht nur Miss Gladys und Thomas werden vielschichtig und detailliert dargestellt. Gut finde ich, dass vor allem Letzterer eine Entwicklung durchmacht. Die Hauptprotagonisten sind Menschen mit Ecken und Kanten. Auch die übrigen Personen sind mir im Laufe des Romans ans Herz gewachsen.
Die Handlung ist abwechslungsreich, unterhaltsam und nachvollziehbar. Größtenteils wird die Geschichte spannend erzählt, nur in der Mitte gibt es ein paar Längen. Die Auflösung ist schlüssig. Mit Ausnahme der letzten Kapitel wirkt das Geschehen glaubwürdig und durchaus realitätsnah.
Die Grundidee, die hinter der Geschichte steht, finde ich sehr kreativ und ansprechend. Auch die Thematik der sich steigernden Altersdemenz macht den Roman interessant. Sie fügt ihm neben lustigen und spannenden Passagen auch eine nachdenkliche Komponente hinzu. Ernste Töne werden auch durch geschilderte Schicksalsschläge und die Problematik des Mobbings angeschlagen. Die Geschichte ist somit bewegend und verfügt über Tiefgang.
Das Buch ist liebevoll gestaltet, die Optik des Covers sagt mir allerdings nicht so sehr zu wie das der Erstausgabe. Der deutsche Titel ist durchaus sinnig. Jedoch trifft auch hier das englische Original „Calling Major Tom“ eher meinen Geschmack.
Mein Fazit:
„Miss Gladys und ihr Astronaut“ von David M. Barnett ist ein berührender, charmanter Roman über eine besondere Familie und einen unkonventionellen Astronauten. Eine empfehlenswerte Geschichte, die für unterhaltsame Lesestunden sorgt.
„Miss Gladys und ihr Astronaut“ ist ein tragikomischer Roman von David M. Barnett über eine ungewöhnliche Freundschaft.
Meine Meinung:
Der Roman besteht aus drei Teilen mit insgesamt 68 Kapiteln von einer angenehmen Länge. Erzählt wird aus der Perspektive unterschiedlicher Figuren. Neben dem Geschehen in der Gegenwart gibt es immer wieder Rückblenden, wobei ich die Übergänge zum Teil etwas verwirrend fand. Das kann auch daran gelegen haben, dass fast durchgehend im Präsens erzählt wird. Insgesamt hat mir der Aufbau jedoch ganz gut gefallen.
Der Schreibstil ist locker und flüssig, die Beschreibungen sind lebhaft und anschaulich. Schön finde ich die Verweise zu Musiktiteln, Filmen und anderer Literatur.
Die Charaktere sind reizvoll gewählt. Nicht nur Miss Gladys und Thomas werden vielschichtig und detailliert dargestellt. Gut finde ich, dass vor allem Letzterer eine Entwicklung durchmacht. Die Hauptprotagonisten sind Menschen mit Ecken und Kanten. Auch die übrigen Personen sind mir im Laufe des Romans ans Herz gewachsen.
Die Handlung ist abwechslungsreich, unterhaltsam und nachvollziehbar. Größtenteils wird die Geschichte spannend erzählt, nur in der Mitte gibt es ein paar Längen. Die Auflösung ist schlüssig. Mit Ausnahme der letzten Kapitel wirkt das Geschehen glaubwürdig und durchaus realitätsnah.
Die Grundidee, die hinter der Geschichte steht, finde ich sehr kreativ und ansprechend. Auch die Thematik der sich steigernden Altersdemenz macht den Roman interessant. Sie fügt ihm neben lustigen und spannenden Passagen auch eine nachdenkliche Komponente hinzu. Ernste Töne werden auch durch geschilderte Schicksalsschläge und die Problematik des Mobbings angeschlagen. Die Geschichte ist somit bewegend und verfügt über Tiefgang.
Das Buch ist liebevoll gestaltet, die Optik des Covers sagt mir allerdings nicht so sehr zu wie das der Erstausgabe. Der deutsche Titel ist durchaus sinnig. Jedoch trifft auch hier das englische Original „Calling Major Tom“ eher meinen Geschmack.
Mein Fazit:
„Miss Gladys und ihr Astronaut“ von David M. Barnett ist ein berührender, charmanter Roman über eine besondere Familie und einen unkonventionellen Astronauten. Eine empfehlenswerte Geschichte, die für unterhaltsame Lesestunden sorgt.
February 18, 2023
*Re-read February 2023- this book remains funny and pretty daft in places (the author admits in the acknowledgements that the story is played for laughs). I still love the Bowie references but I think that the "feel good nyawww" factor didn't quite capture me the second time round. It all felt a bit too "we're all in this together". Like Tom, I must have become an old curmudgeonly type because my tolerance for sentimentalism has waned considerably. A 4 rather than a 5 star read but one that will be going in the name of my bookshelf cull! Off to the library Major Tom!
Original review: Wow! What a story! If you like David Bowie, Northern humour and good old fashioned human warmth and decency then this is the book for you. I laughed and loved my way through this story. The grandmother's character had me in stitches. Its such a wacky idea for a story but thanks to the author's ability, it works a treat. I won't give you a synopsis of the story, just read it and delight yourself! You won't be disappointed, David M. Barnett has created a masterpiece.
Original review: Wow! What a story! If you like David Bowie, Northern humour and good old fashioned human warmth and decency then this is the book for you. I laughed and loved my way through this story. The grandmother's character had me in stitches. Its such a wacky idea for a story but thanks to the author's ability, it works a treat. I won't give you a synopsis of the story, just read it and delight yourself! You won't be disappointed, David M. Barnett has created a masterpiece.
January 20, 2017
Calling Major Tom By David M Barnett is a heartwarming read.
We all know someone like Thomas.
Thomas is very happy to be on his own, far away from other people and their problems.
But beneath his cranky exterior lies a story and a sadness that is familiar to us all. And he's about to encounter a family who will change his view of the world.
This was a lovely read with brilliant characters. I loved Tom. Made me laugh cry a lovely pick me up read. I loved the ending too. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
We all know someone like Thomas.
Thomas is very happy to be on his own, far away from other people and their problems.
But beneath his cranky exterior lies a story and a sadness that is familiar to us all. And he's about to encounter a family who will change his view of the world.
This was a lovely read with brilliant characters. I loved Tom. Made me laugh cry a lovely pick me up read. I loved the ending too. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
January 6, 2019
Започвайки тази странна книга, може би за да съм в унисон , се озовах подобно на героя в сюрреалистична обстановка. Лежейки си на дивана , уютно завита с топло одеяло, изведнъж в късната студена януарска нощ отнякъде се понесе музика надута докрай. Но вместо андрогиналния Дейвид Боуи, уви , бяхме удостоени с честта да изслушаме пълната програма на някакъв диджей от кръчма за банкети, която мина през „бяла роза“,“македонско девойче „ неостаряващите Джипси Кинг и т.н.и т.н. В допълнение , на екрана на телевизора с изключен звук , вървяха филм след филм , всеки един по брутален от предишния.
Как да не му се прииска на човек да хване към Марс.
Но ако бъдем сериозни, това е поредната доза доброта , която приемам с тази толкова щура история. Написана с чувство за хумор , на което да завидиш и фантазия на макс.
Това , което ме замисли обаче е, на колко много такива самотни , близки повече до социопати герои станахме свидетели в близките години .
Като се започне от Уве, Брит-Мари , бабата на Елса (не си спомням име), минем през неповторимата Елинор Олифант и стигнем до Майор Том. (сигурно има много други , за които не се сещам в момента )
Нямам представа , защо се докарахме до това положение.
Аз обаче отказвам да губя надежда.
Как да не му се прииска на човек да хване към Марс.
Но ако бъдем сериозни, това е поредната доза доброта , която приемам с тази толкова щура история. Написана с чувство за хумор , на което да завидиш и фантазия на макс.
Това , което ме замисли обаче е, на колко много такива самотни , близки повече до социопати герои станахме свидетели в близките години .
Като се започне от Уве, Брит-Мари , бабата на Елса (не си спомням име), минем през неповторимата Елинор Олифант и стигнем до Майор Том. (сигурно има много други , за които не се сещам в момента )
Нямам представа , защо се докарахме до това положение.
Аз обаче отказвам да губя надежда.
September 10, 2019
Gleich vorab - Momentanes Jahres-Highlight
Inhalt: Thomas Major oder von der Presse auch Major Tom genannt, ist auf dem Weg zum Mars. Als erster Mensch, soll er dort schon einmal alles vorbereiten, ehe anderen ihm folgen werden. Er ist glücklich mit seinem einsamen Leben im All, doch will er noch einmal mit seiner Ex-Frau sprechen. Statt sie erreicht er allerdings Gladys, die Demenz hat und deren Familie ziemlich in der Tinte sitzt. Unfreiwillig wird nun Major Tom in die Familienverwicklungen reingezogen. Doch wie soll er aus dem All dieser Familie helfen?
Art des Buches: Dramedy Roman
Wie fand ich das Buch? Zunächst sei gesagt, dass ich die Hörbuch Fassung genossen habe und sie empfehlen kann. Simon Jäger liest sehr angenehm vor und ich konnte ihm gut folgen.
Und nun zum Buch an sich. Obwohl ich um Demenz, Trauer, finanzielle Sorgen etc. in Büchern eigentlich einen großen Bogen mache, hatte dieser Roman einfach so komische und schöne Momente, dass ich dran blieb. Es hat sich gelohnt. Die Figuren sind sehr liebenswert. Ob es Gladys ist, die genau weiß dass sie krank ist, aber trotzdem meistens nicht die Lage versteht. Elli, die alles macht, um die Familie vor dem Sozialamt zu bewahren und natürlich den griesgrämigen Major Tom. Sie alle werden mich noch eine ganze Zeit begleiten, denn sie sind wirklich gut ausgearbeitet.
Auch wenn ich das Buch liebe, habe ich einen großen Teil der Tracks weitergeklickt und das waren all diese Rückblenden, in denen es viel um sterbende Angehörige ging. Ich mag eh schon keine Rückblenden in Büchern, aber wenn sie dann auch nur deprimierend sind, kann auf sie wirklich verzichten. Trotzdem habe ich das Buch verstanden und konnte dem ganzen folgen.
3 passende Wörter zum Buch? Weltall - Familie - Zufall
Wem empfehlen? Ich empfehle es allen, die es mögen wenn Charaktere Ecken und Kanten haben. Ob der Humor passend ist, weiß man nie vorher zusagen, ich konnte mich jedenfalls mich gut amüsieren.
Inhalt: Thomas Major oder von der Presse auch Major Tom genannt, ist auf dem Weg zum Mars. Als erster Mensch, soll er dort schon einmal alles vorbereiten, ehe anderen ihm folgen werden. Er ist glücklich mit seinem einsamen Leben im All, doch will er noch einmal mit seiner Ex-Frau sprechen. Statt sie erreicht er allerdings Gladys, die Demenz hat und deren Familie ziemlich in der Tinte sitzt. Unfreiwillig wird nun Major Tom in die Familienverwicklungen reingezogen. Doch wie soll er aus dem All dieser Familie helfen?
Art des Buches: Dramedy Roman
Wie fand ich das Buch? Zunächst sei gesagt, dass ich die Hörbuch Fassung genossen habe und sie empfehlen kann. Simon Jäger liest sehr angenehm vor und ich konnte ihm gut folgen.
Und nun zum Buch an sich. Obwohl ich um Demenz, Trauer, finanzielle Sorgen etc. in Büchern eigentlich einen großen Bogen mache, hatte dieser Roman einfach so komische und schöne Momente, dass ich dran blieb. Es hat sich gelohnt. Die Figuren sind sehr liebenswert. Ob es Gladys ist, die genau weiß dass sie krank ist, aber trotzdem meistens nicht die Lage versteht. Elli, die alles macht, um die Familie vor dem Sozialamt zu bewahren und natürlich den griesgrämigen Major Tom. Sie alle werden mich noch eine ganze Zeit begleiten, denn sie sind wirklich gut ausgearbeitet.
Auch wenn ich das Buch liebe, habe ich einen großen Teil der Tracks weitergeklickt und das waren all diese Rückblenden, in denen es viel um sterbende Angehörige ging. Ich mag eh schon keine Rückblenden in Büchern, aber wenn sie dann auch nur deprimierend sind, kann auf sie wirklich verzichten. Trotzdem habe ich das Buch verstanden und konnte dem ganzen folgen.
3 passende Wörter zum Buch? Weltall - Familie - Zufall
Wem empfehlen? Ich empfehle es allen, die es mögen wenn Charaktere Ecken und Kanten haben. Ob der Humor passend ist, weiß man nie vorher zusagen, ich konnte mich jedenfalls mich gut amüsieren.
September 15, 2016
I loved this book. All the characters were lovable , charming and for some my heart broke into pieces. My heart went out to Gladys, Ellie and James, all the heartbreak and struggles that they have to cope with and Thomas, what can I say...
This book is about forgiving others and yourself for wrongs and learning to survive in an unfair world. This book is also about finding happiness. I would highly recommend this book. I loved David M Barnett's writing style and look forward to reading more of his books
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion publishing group via TBC for the ARC
#TBConFB
This book is about forgiving others and yourself for wrongs and learning to survive in an unfair world. This book is also about finding happiness. I would highly recommend this book. I loved David M Barnett's writing style and look forward to reading more of his books
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion publishing group via TBC for the ARC
#TBConFB
December 5, 2016
Entertaining, moving, crazy! Full review near publication
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