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Bumpkinton Tales #1-4
The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One
Welcome to Bumpkinton!
Come in, have a cup of tea and a scone, and lose yourself in five humorous tales from the village. Follow Father Whitworth O'Grady as he chokes on a penny, Albert Scatterhorn as he becomes the grubbiest Father Christmas ever, and Amelia Goose as she feuds with... well, anybody.
Plus a whole host of characters as they attend the village's first Singles Night with a sex-crazed ladies' man. Jump in and find out more for yourself...
The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One is the first paperback release by the author and includes the stories Last Christmas, Bittersweet, The Bachelor, Albert's Christmas and the exclusive bonus short story, The Family Jewels.
Sit back and join the residents who offer plenty of feel-good, comedy moments one minute but will fill your heart with sadness the next.
Come in, have a cup of tea and a scone, and lose yourself in five humorous tales from the village. Follow Father Whitworth O'Grady as he chokes on a penny, Albert Scatterhorn as he becomes the grubbiest Father Christmas ever, and Amelia Goose as she feuds with... well, anybody.
Plus a whole host of characters as they attend the village's first Singles Night with a sex-crazed ladies' man. Jump in and find out more for yourself...
The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One is the first paperback release by the author and includes the stories Last Christmas, Bittersweet, The Bachelor, Albert's Christmas and the exclusive bonus short story, The Family Jewels.
Sit back and join the residents who offer plenty of feel-good, comedy moments one minute but will fill your heart with sadness the next.
300 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Drzymala
7 books42 followersMy name is Matthew Drzymala, and I am the author of the award-winning humorous book series, The Bumpkinton Tales.
There are currently two Bumpkinton stories available, The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One, and the follow-up novel, The Fantastical Gregory Shortbread,
I'm currently working on a children's book, and when I'm not writing... well, I'm writing, because I'm a freelance copywriter in my day job.
Morning, noon and night - writing is what I do.
There are currently two Bumpkinton stories available, The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One, and the follow-up novel, The Fantastical Gregory Shortbread,
I'm currently working on a children's book, and when I'm not writing... well, I'm writing, because I'm a freelance copywriter in my day job.
Morning, noon and night - writing is what I do.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 19, 2020
The Bumpkinton Tale: Volume One is a collection of short stories fused together with the cement of Bumpkinton village and its quirky characters.
The book fits comfortably into the ‘humour genre’ with plenty of smiles. The tragic/poignant moments were much needed to break from the flow of jokes.
I enjoyed my first visit to Bumpkinton.
The book fits comfortably into the ‘humour genre’ with plenty of smiles. The tragic/poignant moments were much needed to break from the flow of jokes.
I enjoyed my first visit to Bumpkinton.
July 20, 2016
First impressions, this kind of reminded me of Barbara Pym in that there’s a wry wit that crops up in the observation from time to time which is reminiscent of hers. The pace is gentle and this book is series of short stories so you can dip in and finish an instalment. For the most part I really liked the characters, and I enjoyed that some were rather trying, just as people in a real life village are. There was a great atmosphere of gossip created and I enjoyed the whole, does he or doesn’t he? thing surrounding a couple of characters and their reported misdemeanours. There’s a fair bit of comic mileage in the total madman in charge of the paper who, basically, just says ‘hello’ to you and then makes up some spurious interview.
However, these stories are much more than a light read. The characters have empathy and depth and you do start to care about them quite quickly, even the ones that are, frankly, a bit grim. There was a point where I almost felt sympathy for the village busybody and found myself hoping that she might find love, or something. We find out how and why she was transformed from a shy bookish girl to nightmare harridan. After I discovered her past I found her just as odious but at the same time, with understanding, came an ability to give her a little slack! And this depth and reality to the characters, and the way we find out little tit bits here and there as the stories proceed, just as we would if we actually lived there and were genuinely getting to know these people, was an excellent touch and really cleverly done. There is an intelligence and subtlety to it that I really liked.
As someone who grew up in a small village and sang in the church choir (for my sins) I did find it slightly unseating, at first, that the priest is Roman Catholic – it’s definitely more Father Ted than Rev in that respect. But if you, too, find that strange, it’s worth persevering because you soon get used to that.
So, all in all, I recommend this. It’s a lovely bit of light, gentle humour except that, like life, it works on many subtle levels and there’s a lot more to it than that.
Four stars.
However, these stories are much more than a light read. The characters have empathy and depth and you do start to care about them quite quickly, even the ones that are, frankly, a bit grim. There was a point where I almost felt sympathy for the village busybody and found myself hoping that she might find love, or something. We find out how and why she was transformed from a shy bookish girl to nightmare harridan. After I discovered her past I found her just as odious but at the same time, with understanding, came an ability to give her a little slack! And this depth and reality to the characters, and the way we find out little tit bits here and there as the stories proceed, just as we would if we actually lived there and were genuinely getting to know these people, was an excellent touch and really cleverly done. There is an intelligence and subtlety to it that I really liked.
As someone who grew up in a small village and sang in the church choir (for my sins) I did find it slightly unseating, at first, that the priest is Roman Catholic – it’s definitely more Father Ted than Rev in that respect. But if you, too, find that strange, it’s worth persevering because you soon get used to that.
So, all in all, I recommend this. It’s a lovely bit of light, gentle humour except that, like life, it works on many subtle levels and there’s a lot more to it than that.
Four stars.
August 7, 2016
Filled with wit, and good old English humor. This was a very smooth, enjoyable read. A great book to grab and go to the beach, you can pick and choose which short story to enjoy. The characters were all very unique and had that typical small-town mentality, which I can relate to.. seeing it and growing up around it. The small town talk, radiated with humor, and you found yourself chuckling to yourself, because it is oh so accurate! Everyone focuses on the “exciting/different” person/couple in town, talk and create more drama surrounding the topic at hand, because they are bored and that is what small town minds do, and then the next week they forget about it and chose another victim haha. All of the characters were a reflection of the small town characters in any town. Everyone is unique or weird in their own way, and people seem to talk about who ever is the most exciting/strange in that moment. I have always loved small towns, and will continue to love them, because of this simple aspect.. I think it’s absolutely hilarious. And to really truly laugh about it, you have to not care what people think of you, and never participate even though they will always try to suck you in and pull you down to that level. The author did an excellent job in connecting the reader to the characters in such a short time frame, that is not easy to do. Everyone has their own story and the author communicated this across in a beautiful way. And of course there is always more to it. Definitely a great read, and I recommend this to anyone who loves small towns or is interested in their functioning.
May 14, 2016
I just love this collection! I read 'Bittersweet' by Drzymala a little while ago (also included in this collection) and fell in love with the charming characters. When I saw this being discussed on the authors Facebook page, I knew I had to read it!
I was not disappointed. This collection reads exactly as 'Bittersweet' did. It has the same charm about it and the same characters that I've grown to love, even if they are strange!
Growing up in a small village, I am fully aware of the fact that everyone knows everyone and nothing is a secret! I felt that Drzymala portrayed this very effectively.
I was not disappointed. This collection reads exactly as 'Bittersweet' did. It has the same charm about it and the same characters that I've grown to love, even if they are strange!
Growing up in a small village, I am fully aware of the fact that everyone knows everyone and nothing is a secret! I felt that Drzymala portrayed this very effectively.
July 19, 2016
I received this book as part of Good Reads First Reads
This is a collection of tales from a village. - Some are humerous and some not so. Between the different characters you learn of village life from the most humdrum of moments to the hilarity of it all. From singles night in the village to Christmas with a very odd Santa. This village has it all
This is a collection of tales from a village. - Some are humerous and some not so. Between the different characters you learn of village life from the most humdrum of moments to the hilarity of it all. From singles night in the village to Christmas with a very odd Santa. This village has it all
June 29, 2016
This is a charming book! Warm, witty and humorous. It reminded me in style of Gervase Phinn. The characters are so well drawn that you feel you may well bump into them in the shops or down the road. I am very much looking forward to the next novel.
February 7, 2017
Gently amusing stories about a village somewhere in the south of England. Some annoying aspects such as the tweaking of titles of TV shows and stars but not too bad a read. Will probably look out for further books in the series.
July 15, 2018
I loved this book of short stories based in the fictional town of Bumpkinton - each one gives you new characters and goings on.
Written with plenty of humor and an easy read. I'd certainly recommend this book to those looking for something a little different and witty.
Written with plenty of humor and an easy read. I'd certainly recommend this book to those looking for something a little different and witty.
May 18, 2016
Fun collection
Fun collection of stories surrounding the village of Bumpkinton. Well written and really enjoyable, will wait patiently for the next stories to be released.
Fun collection of stories surrounding the village of Bumpkinton. Well written and really enjoyable, will wait patiently for the next stories to be released.
November 14, 2018
Royston Vasey meets Ambridge...
This is a great collection of interwoven tales that all take place in the obscure village of Bumpkinton. With larger-than-life characters, a mix of typical and not-so-typical events, this is a tea-and-scones-with-jam kind of read: mostly light-hearted and delightfully British.
This is a great collection of interwoven tales that all take place in the obscure village of Bumpkinton. With larger-than-life characters, a mix of typical and not-so-typical events, this is a tea-and-scones-with-jam kind of read: mostly light-hearted and delightfully British.
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September 29, 2018Rubbish
This book is the biggest load of junk I have ever seen. The stories are stupid rather than funny and somewhat left hanging as though the author had got tired of it and just moved on to something else
This book is the biggest load of junk I have ever seen. The stories are stupid rather than funny and somewhat left hanging as though the author had got tired of it and just moved on to something else
July 24, 2016
Sometimes down the passing of life you come across something which is very different. Yet just like your life and your surroundings. This is exactly how I felt when I finished reading The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One.
The story moves around the members of the people living in a lesser known and busy in themselves town called Bumpkinton. As each page turns you are given a peek into houses and lives of the various people of the place. Their past, their present, their behaviors and their character. While reading the book, I felt like a person watching over the incidents as they happened in Bumpkinton. And what a fun filled experience it was!
The characters which really left a mark on my mind are Amelia Goose - with her peculiar habits, Father O'Grady - an innovative priest, Fenton - the man most men of Bumpkinton dread and Albert - a tramp who seems to have an unknown story of his! I am hopeful that as the next ones in the series are out, something about Albert will be revealed. There are many more whom you will cross ways with in this book, but these were the special ones for me.
Recommendation: I'd recommend it to those who are willing to read a book which is sensitive and comic, yet doesn't leave you with a bad taste. The funny scenes are well written and add reality to the story. It looks like it could just be any locality, a township or a small neighborhood. Subtle in its narration and very meticulous and relevant to our little societies and people around. Go for it, friends! While I wait to get my hands on part 2!
The story moves around the members of the people living in a lesser known and busy in themselves town called Bumpkinton. As each page turns you are given a peek into houses and lives of the various people of the place. Their past, their present, their behaviors and their character. While reading the book, I felt like a person watching over the incidents as they happened in Bumpkinton. And what a fun filled experience it was!
The characters which really left a mark on my mind are Amelia Goose - with her peculiar habits, Father O'Grady - an innovative priest, Fenton - the man most men of Bumpkinton dread and Albert - a tramp who seems to have an unknown story of his! I am hopeful that as the next ones in the series are out, something about Albert will be revealed. There are many more whom you will cross ways with in this book, but these were the special ones for me.
Recommendation: I'd recommend it to those who are willing to read a book which is sensitive and comic, yet doesn't leave you with a bad taste. The funny scenes are well written and add reality to the story. It looks like it could just be any locality, a township or a small neighborhood. Subtle in its narration and very meticulous and relevant to our little societies and people around. Go for it, friends! While I wait to get my hands on part 2!
April 28, 2017
I had read this authors other book, but since this book was very different I had no idea what to expect.
Bumpkinton had a weird start for me, because it was short stories and each chapter was different characters. However, once I picked up the idea of the story and figured out the characters, it was OK.
It was a an easy, lighthearted read. Some of the characters were loveable and some were annoying, but they were all perfect for this story.
I didn't like The Bachelor story, because I found it hard to believe a priest would organise a speed dating night, and it dragged out throughout that story.
I think Bittersweet and The Family Jewels were the best stories for me.
Bumpkinton had a weird start for me, because it was short stories and each chapter was different characters. However, once I picked up the idea of the story and figured out the characters, it was OK.
It was a an easy, lighthearted read. Some of the characters were loveable and some were annoying, but they were all perfect for this story.
I didn't like The Bachelor story, because I found it hard to believe a priest would organise a speed dating night, and it dragged out throughout that story.
I think Bittersweet and The Family Jewels were the best stories for me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews