Happy Now

by Charles Higson

Tom Kendall has stopped attending his anger-management therapy sessions. They were making his blood boil. He's always tried to live a quiet, blameless, normal life, keeping at bay the white-hot anger that threatens to engulf him. But he still gives people the creeps. Such as his brother-in-law. And his brother-in-law's two daughters. And their cat.

Will Summers has discovered the secret of happiness. So what if he has to break into houses—forty-seven so far—to find it? When Tom discovers Will's diary, it inspires him to embark on his own quest for happiness. It could mean risking everything, even his sanity.

But as Will says, 'how can it be wrong to be happy?'

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Crime

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Variant author name of Charlie Higson

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Enfield / Saturday Night Live / Fast Show writer Higson, comes up with a rather dark, yet funny book. There's a young man that essentially copulates with houses, by entering them, when they are occupied and masturbating in their (obviously empty) beds! There were no typos in the last sentence. There's a nerd, who after a lot of hard work has become a muscle karate expert; and then there's his brother-in-law Tom Kendall, who attends anger management therapy. Higson entwines these three lives in a clever way and produces a tale rooted in the dark past of Tom Kendall. Re-reading this summary in 2022, I wonder how was it possible not to get more than 6 out of 12 from me, with such a funny original concept!

2011 read

[Cathal Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was creepy as fuck.
I loved it.

[Godzilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark exploration of childhood abuse, modern morals and the quest for happiness in a world where life seems much more compliacted than it used to be.

There are some twists and turns along the way, some of which I certainly didn't see coming, but there isn't the usual dose of comedy and humour which I've experienced in other Charlie Higson books.

The characters are absorbing and the threads of the plots pull together like a tightening noose, as the past catches up with all the players in this ultimately gloomy story of redemption and finality.

This isn't a book you walk away from whistling a happy tune, but then that's what makes it quite powerful.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very disturbing, full of tension and confusion, the story of the breakdown of a man's mental state, through his search for a false hope of happiness.

[Chandré Louw · Rating 3 out of 5]

TOM IS HAPPY.
TOM IS HAPPY.
TOM IS HAPPY.

... but is he really?

Tom has anger issues. He also has a very boring life.

When he meets Maddie at an anger management class , it seems like to perfect opportunity to introduce a bit of excitement into his otherwise plain existence.

Tom thinks Maddie makes him happy. He knows. He thinks. He hopes?

Following a massive family drama involving an uninvited house guest at a dinner party , Tom starts to question what happiness really is. If this intruder gets his happiness from breaking into people's houses , who's to say which strange and illicit activity could resort to his happiness?

Only one way to find out.
To track down the intruder.

*

A book that deals with the strange justification and thought patterns of mental issues and how it affects everyone around you. No one is loyal and NO ONE IS HAPPY. Happiness is a fleeting.

Is that something we can ever accept?

[Steve Ayers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that this was unnecessarily graphic at the beginning and nearly stopped reading. Some of the details of Will's breaking and entering weren't necessary to the plot.
I'm glad I got through that though, the other three quarters of the book were a pleasure to read.
Just be aware, these are not children's books!

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark book, a funny book, a sad book, in fact it’s many things. I’m unsure why it’s not a 5 star book but it’s just missing something, possibly that the central character is a bit bewildering and unsympathetic.

[Stephen Lenhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Gripping page turner. The description of a decent into insanity & an incredibly dark view of family is brilliant. You will not guess the ending!

[Richard Thwaites · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but a bit disappointing - creepy and weird, usually a good thing but less so here

[Moe · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed like an amalgamation of horror plot points all shoved together in a br*t*sh kinda way. Twas okay.

[Hugo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black comedy of psychological disintegrations, both disturbing and quite funny. Distinguishes itself with a couple of pleasing twists midway and very much nailing the ending.

[Garreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts off well and sucked me in with some interesting ideas. I really didn't know who the hero of the book was for the first half, and I'm glad some people got killed.
Plenty of gore, but a bit of waffling about 2/3 in. It picked up and I couldn't put it down in the final vinegar strokes.

A light hearted look at sexual abuse and anger.

[Ian Fiddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. Very suprised by this book- it is fantastic! Led me into reading more of this genre- i.e. Brookmyre/ Hiassen.

[Velda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have paid attention to the quote on the front: "A pyscho for our times."

[Pages and Papercuts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read... but I liked it.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I'd like to shake Charlie Higson's hand !!!