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The Miracle Adjuster
The thing about the truth is; it doesn’t get out much...
Colin Jekyll is an ‘Events Manager’. And a liar. Colin’s real name is Frank Canon, and his real job title is ‘Reality Enforcer’. And the lies don’t stop there; they only get bigger.
Canon works for the Agency, protecting the status quo. A multilingual lone wolf with an unreliable history and a fear of flying, Canon covers up continuity errors; those inexplicable events most other people call ‘miracles’. He adjusts outbreaks of clairvoyance and drunken weather, weeping statues and spontaneous dancing plagues before they become common knowledge, and before people begin to panic, because people’s faith in consensus reality needs to be enforced.
Fortunately for Frank and the Agency, most people are naturally suspicious of the truth.
Colin Jekyll is an ‘Events Manager’. And a liar. Colin’s real name is Frank Canon, and his real job title is ‘Reality Enforcer’. And the lies don’t stop there; they only get bigger.
Canon works for the Agency, protecting the status quo. A multilingual lone wolf with an unreliable history and a fear of flying, Canon covers up continuity errors; those inexplicable events most other people call ‘miracles’. He adjusts outbreaks of clairvoyance and drunken weather, weeping statues and spontaneous dancing plagues before they become common knowledge, and before people begin to panic, because people’s faith in consensus reality needs to be enforced.
Fortunately for Frank and the Agency, most people are naturally suspicious of the truth.
346 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 27, 2016
I seriously cannot explain to you the tedium of the last two days. Delayed trains, super warm offices, process control tests. Don’t think I didn’t vent to Juan but I’m still outraged by how apparently unavoidably boring those two days were! Once Johan Sverdrup is up and running I will have myself flown to it and commit seppuku over its control room, ensuring its safety for fifty years, if I never have to do that again. Luckily for me, though, I had Simon Campbell’s The Miracle Adjuster, which kept me from the brink of seppuku. So cheers to you Simon.
This picaresque is told with ebullience and imagination, channelling Mark Leyner, George Saunders and resident indie Jay Spencer Green through a British filter, drawing attention to ad-balls, banal-balls, media-balls and life-balls at every corner. Somehow Campbell manages to make everyday situations so relatable and yet so evidently weird that you wonder how you managed to sleepwalk through the streets what with all the absurdity around you.
There is a story, but it is more of a formality, a necessary backbone to support a near-unthinkable quantity of fluff. Rather than the shaggiest of dogs, it is more the literary equivalent of a Pomeranian.
And there are even cross-references from the front cover! And that’s pretty cool.
I was in serious doubt that the imagination could handle the page count, what with the density of detail and humour on every page!
One thing’s for sure: you likely won’t forget your time seeing the world through Campbell’s eyes.
This picaresque is told with ebullience and imagination, channelling Mark Leyner, George Saunders and resident indie Jay Spencer Green through a British filter, drawing attention to ad-balls, banal-balls, media-balls and life-balls at every corner. Somehow Campbell manages to make everyday situations so relatable and yet so evidently weird that you wonder how you managed to sleepwalk through the streets what with all the absurdity around you.
There is a story, but it is more of a formality, a necessary backbone to support a near-unthinkable quantity of fluff. Rather than the shaggiest of dogs, it is more the literary equivalent of a Pomeranian.
And there are even cross-references from the front cover! And that’s pretty cool.
I was in serious doubt that the imagination could handle the page count, what with the density of detail and humour on every page!
One thing’s for sure: you likely won’t forget your time seeing the world through Campbell’s eyes.
September 25, 2016
There’s something very comfortable about thinking that the world has strings and that there are those who want and know just how to pull them. Simon Campbell’s book takes this notion very literally. Well, the strings remain metaphorical ones, so maybe not literally in the literal sense, more the generally accepted one. It poses the question of reality. Objective or subjective, rational or illogical, a bit good or a bit less good, and are these things really worth balancing?
There are some events that contradict what ordinary people expect from ordinary reality. These occurrences can be classified as unusual, eyebrow raising Fortean, and maximal miraculous. In order to protect the fragile psyche of mostly everyone alive, an organisation is tasked with minimising the impact these errors in the continuity of consensual reality can have. Techniques employed start at misdirection, misinformation, disinformation (different), subterfuge and go on from there.
This book is funny. I won’t say how and why because nothing sucks the funny away more quickly than someone recommending something with funny expectations all over it. It is also quite ingenious in places, going to meta places and loving it, skipping through absurd meadows with unapologetic joy. It also arrived just when I needed to lighten up, and for that I’m very grateful. I enjoyed how the plot was there, and there was a pull to follow it, but in the end it mattered less than the ride, which is like being taken for one with someone who is genuinely amused at everything, rather than pretending to be. I wanted to read this quicker but had two days where my eyes would not focus in the same direction due to toothache that decided to spread over my whole head. That I returned to laugh through the shooting pain is testament to the power of this novel. Worth your time.
There are some events that contradict what ordinary people expect from ordinary reality. These occurrences can be classified as unusual, eyebrow raising Fortean, and maximal miraculous. In order to protect the fragile psyche of mostly everyone alive, an organisation is tasked with minimising the impact these errors in the continuity of consensual reality can have. Techniques employed start at misdirection, misinformation, disinformation (different), subterfuge and go on from there.
This book is funny. I won’t say how and why because nothing sucks the funny away more quickly than someone recommending something with funny expectations all over it. It is also quite ingenious in places, going to meta places and loving it, skipping through absurd meadows with unapologetic joy. It also arrived just when I needed to lighten up, and for that I’m very grateful. I enjoyed how the plot was there, and there was a pull to follow it, but in the end it mattered less than the ride, which is like being taken for one with someone who is genuinely amused at everything, rather than pretending to be. I wanted to read this quicker but had two days where my eyes would not focus in the same direction due to toothache that decided to spread over my whole head. That I returned to laugh through the shooting pain is testament to the power of this novel. Worth your time.
June 20, 2017
I enjoy books with a philosophical angle and, like Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this clever and humorous work has one. Here, the play is all about what you can and cannot believe: ‘But just because something was hard to believe that didn’t make it unbelievable’. Simon Campbell articulated a great point about atheism that I enjoyed: ‘Atheism was founded on a faith in something that couldn’t be seen. Atheists referred to this intangible individual that they didn’t believe in as ‘God’. But there was currently no hard evidence for the non-existence of God.’
The protagonist works for a murky governmental organisation, ‘The Agency’, whose work consists of hushing and covering up ‘continuity events’ (miraculous or extraordinary happenings) for the sake of societal stability. Sometimes working against the agency’s ends is a newspaper, The Sunday Spartan, which likes to expose such events to the masses. UK readers will clearly recognise The Sunday Spartan as The Sunday Sport – many of its legendarily ridiculous stories about Elvis still being alive and WW2 bombers being spotted on the Moon are reused in the book.
The tale is well written – although I did find that the author’s conscious decision to regularly break grammar conventions, such as using questions marks when the sentence was not a question, did not improve its readability – but as my school English teachers would have said: ‘at least the error was consistent’. The novel is also well structured - it’s many seemingly unrelated threads finally resolving into a satisfying conclusion. The ridiculousness and implausibility whip up into a ludicrous crescendo late in the book. This is typical for comic works and reminded me of Tom Sharpe (Wilt, Porterhouse Blue etc) and even Wodehouse, but it felt a little overdone at some points. I reckon fewer left-field name changes and reality shifts, and a more sparing use of raining mice, mutton showers and biased lightning might have made this an even better offering – but that is a personal view. Anyone who enjoys laughing at the ludicrous, spun as a good yarn, ought to love this book.
The protagonist works for a murky governmental organisation, ‘The Agency’, whose work consists of hushing and covering up ‘continuity events’ (miraculous or extraordinary happenings) for the sake of societal stability. Sometimes working against the agency’s ends is a newspaper, The Sunday Spartan, which likes to expose such events to the masses. UK readers will clearly recognise The Sunday Spartan as The Sunday Sport – many of its legendarily ridiculous stories about Elvis still being alive and WW2 bombers being spotted on the Moon are reused in the book.
The tale is well written – although I did find that the author’s conscious decision to regularly break grammar conventions, such as using questions marks when the sentence was not a question, did not improve its readability – but as my school English teachers would have said: ‘at least the error was consistent’. The novel is also well structured - it’s many seemingly unrelated threads finally resolving into a satisfying conclusion. The ridiculousness and implausibility whip up into a ludicrous crescendo late in the book. This is typical for comic works and reminded me of Tom Sharpe (Wilt, Porterhouse Blue etc) and even Wodehouse, but it felt a little overdone at some points. I reckon fewer left-field name changes and reality shifts, and a more sparing use of raining mice, mutton showers and biased lightning might have made this an even better offering – but that is a personal view. Anyone who enjoys laughing at the ludicrous, spun as a good yarn, ought to love this book.
November 5, 2016
"The Miracle Adjuster" is a very clever and imaginative book from a talented and naturally humorous author Simon Campbell. He is a new author for me and a definite change in genre but would happily recommend this book and would seek out more by him.
I loved the originality of the story, written in a light comical fashion - it was satirical, funny and very intellectual and has you laughing at loud at this unique read seeing the world through Simons imaginative eyes. Some of the people's names and their little stories are just fab!
I must put on my imaginative wish list of places to visit 'The Whitewash Museum'.....just not via Wyoming.....or Australia.....maybe in the next 42 days when a miracle may happen..... - I could go on and on!!!!
You won't forget this book in a hurry I know I won't! A solid 5 stars for an exceptional original read.
I loved the originality of the story, written in a light comical fashion - it was satirical, funny and very intellectual and has you laughing at loud at this unique read seeing the world through Simons imaginative eyes. Some of the people's names and their little stories are just fab!
I must put on my imaginative wish list of places to visit 'The Whitewash Museum'.....just not via Wyoming.....or Australia.....maybe in the next 42 days when a miracle may happen..... - I could go on and on!!!!
You won't forget this book in a hurry I know I won't! A solid 5 stars for an exceptional original read.
January 9, 2017
This book was right up my street. It’s very funny, intelligently written and lots of fun. It also has plenty of depth in between the lines, commenting on: believing what we’re told to believe, propaganda tactics, human stupidity, common sense, and philosophical notions of perception and reality. But mostly, it’s just really funny.
Did I mention this book’s really funny? Well, it is. Check out the quotes in my updates below this review if you wanna see examples of why. Not only is it really funny, it also feels like a book that should have already been written but hasn’t been until now; the premise has that classic feel to it.
In a world where miracles are more than common, in a world where miracles can be the most absurd things imagined (like drunken weather or a bandwagon vehicle suddenly appearing on the Hollywood sign), in a world which is all around us all the time, there has to be someone to clear up the mess and fool us into thinking the miracles aren’t so. Enter Frank Canon, Reality Enforcer, who works for a mysterious agency, to sort out all the plot holes and loose ends of stories that could be straight out of the old tabloid newspaper The Daily Sport (which had infamous headlines like: “Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster” and “Statue of Elvis Found on Moon”.) In fact, I strongly suspect Simon Campbell was a journalist for that paper, or he’s a double agent Reality Enforcer himself.
The way the story begins with commentary on things like the word ‘miracle’ being used in the press and by people on a daily basis for things which aren’t at all miraculous reminded me a little of the start of Bruce Robinson’s How To Get Ahead In Advertising, but both stories then veer off into different directions – but if you like stuff like Robinson’s, you are sure to like this.
When I consider that this is a debut, I feel like it’s even more worthy of my praise. Sure, I had little niggles with it at times: I felt like the pace of the actual story was a little slow to begin with (despite each page being a joy to read) and I felt the unfolding story was perhaps just a little too complicated and rushed towards the end (despite me loving the complete mad-capped nature of the crazy last few chapters, where anything that can happen probably will happen), but these are the most minor of criticisms and are only noticeable because the rest of it’s so damn good.
This is a book that can make you pause and reflect on human nature, belief systems, quantum realities and propaganda, but most of all it’s just damn good fun. And funny. Really funny. You even get a Chinese Tom Hanks impersonator who’s referred to as Chanks.
My favourite quotes were:
"Atheism was founded on a faith in something that couldn't be seen. Atheists referred to this intangible individual that they didn't believe in as 'God'. But there was currently no hard evidence for the non-existence of God. Atheism was like one of those irrational beliefs that atheists are always up in arms about."
And: “Brigadier General Sir Rufus Moribund was on TV denying these wild accusations: 'We strongly refute the allegation that secret British forces have killed anyone in Baghdad by means of man-eating badger'."
I can’t wait to see what Mr. Campbell will come up with next. Bravo.
Did I mention this book’s really funny? Well, it is. Check out the quotes in my updates below this review if you wanna see examples of why. Not only is it really funny, it also feels like a book that should have already been written but hasn’t been until now; the premise has that classic feel to it.
In a world where miracles are more than common, in a world where miracles can be the most absurd things imagined (like drunken weather or a bandwagon vehicle suddenly appearing on the Hollywood sign), in a world which is all around us all the time, there has to be someone to clear up the mess and fool us into thinking the miracles aren’t so. Enter Frank Canon, Reality Enforcer, who works for a mysterious agency, to sort out all the plot holes and loose ends of stories that could be straight out of the old tabloid newspaper The Daily Sport (which had infamous headlines like: “Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster” and “Statue of Elvis Found on Moon”.) In fact, I strongly suspect Simon Campbell was a journalist for that paper, or he’s a double agent Reality Enforcer himself.
The way the story begins with commentary on things like the word ‘miracle’ being used in the press and by people on a daily basis for things which aren’t at all miraculous reminded me a little of the start of Bruce Robinson’s How To Get Ahead In Advertising, but both stories then veer off into different directions – but if you like stuff like Robinson’s, you are sure to like this.
When I consider that this is a debut, I feel like it’s even more worthy of my praise. Sure, I had little niggles with it at times: I felt like the pace of the actual story was a little slow to begin with (despite each page being a joy to read) and I felt the unfolding story was perhaps just a little too complicated and rushed towards the end (despite me loving the complete mad-capped nature of the crazy last few chapters, where anything that can happen probably will happen), but these are the most minor of criticisms and are only noticeable because the rest of it’s so damn good.
This is a book that can make you pause and reflect on human nature, belief systems, quantum realities and propaganda, but most of all it’s just damn good fun. And funny. Really funny. You even get a Chinese Tom Hanks impersonator who’s referred to as Chanks.
My favourite quotes were:
"Atheism was founded on a faith in something that couldn't be seen. Atheists referred to this intangible individual that they didn't believe in as 'God'. But there was currently no hard evidence for the non-existence of God. Atheism was like one of those irrational beliefs that atheists are always up in arms about."
And: “Brigadier General Sir Rufus Moribund was on TV denying these wild accusations: 'We strongly refute the allegation that secret British forces have killed anyone in Baghdad by means of man-eating badger'."
I can’t wait to see what Mr. Campbell will come up with next. Bravo.
November 15, 2016
3.5 ★s
The Miracle Adjuster is the first novel by British author, Simon Campbell. Frank Canon is fairly sure that the continuity errors (more commonly known as miracles) are becoming more frequent. He has just been to Australia to manage reports of a cryptid (an interesting ovine) in outback New South Wales. No major drama. After all, “they have a kangaroo and an emu on their coat of arms. In Australia you see something that looks deranged and out of some science fiction novel or toddler's drawing and you just wonder what it'll taste like barbecued…Australia is full of stuff that shouldn’t exist. Things that are hard to believe. Cryptids in Australia are easy”.
Frank Canon is a Reality Enforcer for the Agency. Dealing with continuity errors involves almost endless telling of lies and quite a lot of travel, much of it as his alias, Colin Jekyll, who tells people he is an Events Manager. One should think of The Agency “as being just like any other government department. Most people had absolutely no idea what they were doing”. But preventing panic among the masses describes it well.
Now, Frank reluctantly has under his guidance young Epiphany Smith, a new scratch-starter with the Agency. Together they have successfully removed a terrorist threat in Wyoming, but have been detoured to Virginia to deal with a SOOPA, a Seriously Out Of Place Artefact, which is proving more difficult than expected.
Campbell’s novel is set in an alternate reality. Or maybe it isn’t. Maybe this is how the world really is and the Agency is actually doing its job very well. After all, Tesco Airport, Glasgow sounds just like reality…. After a bit of a slow start, the story moves along nicely until the mass hysteria when it loses its way for a bit. This is not an intentional plot hole: that happens earlier. Then the pace picks up for an exciting climax that involves a helicopter, a lightning storm, a human shield and a jam jar in amber.
Campbell gives the reader quite a bit of easily accessible philosophy, some very insightful observations, plenty of puns, lots of funny place names and a generous helping of humorous acronyms. It is probably safe to say that Campbell may have read some Jasper Fforde and Douglas Adams. The Miracle Adjuster is clever and imaginative: quite a fun read.
With thanks to the author for this copy to read and review
The Miracle Adjuster is the first novel by British author, Simon Campbell. Frank Canon is fairly sure that the continuity errors (more commonly known as miracles) are becoming more frequent. He has just been to Australia to manage reports of a cryptid (an interesting ovine) in outback New South Wales. No major drama. After all, “they have a kangaroo and an emu on their coat of arms. In Australia you see something that looks deranged and out of some science fiction novel or toddler's drawing and you just wonder what it'll taste like barbecued…Australia is full of stuff that shouldn’t exist. Things that are hard to believe. Cryptids in Australia are easy”.
Frank Canon is a Reality Enforcer for the Agency. Dealing with continuity errors involves almost endless telling of lies and quite a lot of travel, much of it as his alias, Colin Jekyll, who tells people he is an Events Manager. One should think of The Agency “as being just like any other government department. Most people had absolutely no idea what they were doing”. But preventing panic among the masses describes it well.
Now, Frank reluctantly has under his guidance young Epiphany Smith, a new scratch-starter with the Agency. Together they have successfully removed a terrorist threat in Wyoming, but have been detoured to Virginia to deal with a SOOPA, a Seriously Out Of Place Artefact, which is proving more difficult than expected.
Campbell’s novel is set in an alternate reality. Or maybe it isn’t. Maybe this is how the world really is and the Agency is actually doing its job very well. After all, Tesco Airport, Glasgow sounds just like reality…. After a bit of a slow start, the story moves along nicely until the mass hysteria when it loses its way for a bit. This is not an intentional plot hole: that happens earlier. Then the pace picks up for an exciting climax that involves a helicopter, a lightning storm, a human shield and a jam jar in amber.
Campbell gives the reader quite a bit of easily accessible philosophy, some very insightful observations, plenty of puns, lots of funny place names and a generous helping of humorous acronyms. It is probably safe to say that Campbell may have read some Jasper Fforde and Douglas Adams. The Miracle Adjuster is clever and imaginative: quite a fun read.
With thanks to the author for this copy to read and review
February 10, 2018
This book has to be the funniest thing I've read this year, it's incredibly zany, it does remind me of Dirk Gently's series, in fact if Douglas Adams was still around I reckon this book would get his backing. The story is complex, I'll admit I didn't get all of it, to fully understand every plot twist and plot hole then it is going to take a few more readings. One thing I always find funny is repetition, if a joke keeps getting mentioned again and again then I'll laugh louder each time, this book does that a lot. As I said the plot is complex but if you pay attention you'll be able to keep up, there are some well developed characters too, Rashid the lovable Terrorist was my favourite, his introduction into the story was the highlight for me. A lot of work and research has been put into coming up with theories that are believable and my favourite was the explanation of why you're not allowed to smile in your passport photo, it makes so much sense to me now. A sign of a good book is if I have to tell people bits and pieces from it and with the angry looks my wife was giving me I must have been doing this a lot.
Coincidentally, whilst reading this book a lot of unexplainable things were spotted by myself in the news; "Donald Trump elected President" "Sunderland AFC won two premiership games in a row" "A woman has been banned from all UK cinemas for taking a dump in the pick n mix" and "A woman in Wigan gives birth to a chimp" It's certainly a crazy world, so maybe this amazing book could just possibly be true!
Blog post is here> felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/t...
Coincidentally, whilst reading this book a lot of unexplainable things were spotted by myself in the news; "Donald Trump elected President" "Sunderland AFC won two premiership games in a row" "A woman has been banned from all UK cinemas for taking a dump in the pick n mix" and "A woman in Wigan gives birth to a chimp" It's certainly a crazy world, so maybe this amazing book could just possibly be true!
Blog post is here> felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/t...
November 30, 2016
When I started this book, I was insanely busy. It's not a book you can put down, pick it up a week later and know what is going on. But then that is the whole of the book. What's going on? Although you won't want to put it down.
What is happening and those three little words, "I. Don't. Know." Someone is always responsible for telling everybody else what is going on, and people want to believe someone knows. Frank is a Miracle Adjuster, explaining away weird things that happen, raining fish, vegetable lambs, amber jars found in prehistoric bedrock.
Simon Campbell's writing style in the narrative reminded me of Johnny Depp's narrative in Leaving Las Vegas. By the end, I could practically hear his voice. If this book is done as an audiobook, Johnny Depp would be the ultimate voice of Colin Jekyll, or rather Frank Canon. Which is it? We'll just have to take it on faith.
I loved this book, just loved it. Something different, something fun, and definitely something that made me laugh.
What is happening and those three little words, "I. Don't. Know." Someone is always responsible for telling everybody else what is going on, and people want to believe someone knows. Frank is a Miracle Adjuster, explaining away weird things that happen, raining fish, vegetable lambs, amber jars found in prehistoric bedrock.
Simon Campbell's writing style in the narrative reminded me of Johnny Depp's narrative in Leaving Las Vegas. By the end, I could practically hear his voice. If this book is done as an audiobook, Johnny Depp would be the ultimate voice of Colin Jekyll, or rather Frank Canon. Which is it? We'll just have to take it on faith.
I loved this book, just loved it. Something different, something fun, and definitely something that made me laugh.
September 30, 2017
So, you believe in miracles? This is one entertaining read!!!
(Goodreads Giveaway book)
(Goodreads Giveaway book)
September 14, 2016
Really loved this book, it is so original. I found myself giggling along throughout the book and rereading paragraphs just to ‘get it’(!)- very clever indeed. I couldn’t help but start to wonder, are there perhaps really some agents out there like Frank Canon protecting us all from the truth?! This book takes so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect, really fab from beginning to end.
October 13, 2017
Satirical, snarky, intellectual, and so much more. The laughs just keep coming. I chose 4 stars only because it took a while to start rolling with the absurdities and then the rollicking took over.
October 27, 2016
Very clever book by a very clever author! From the Cover to the author bio, I was hooked. Highly recommended!
April 13, 2017
I was unsure where this was going for a while, but the author's tone was likable and humorous enough to encourage me to come along for the journey anyway. In the end, I found I liked it just because it seemed to belong to our crazy modern world. The question of how we interpret what is true and what isn't is very relevant, though far more bearable when treated in a lighthearted fashion.
Despite many complex and intricate subplots, the main character journey plays out well and is easy to follow even when there are so many different references and concepts running alongside. I'd imagine all readers will miss some of the references, as Campbell is having fun with numerous baffling and absurd scenarios, but they are applied in a manner that does not distract from the central story line and character arc.
Look out for the plot hole!
Despite many complex and intricate subplots, the main character journey plays out well and is easy to follow even when there are so many different references and concepts running alongside. I'd imagine all readers will miss some of the references, as Campbell is having fun with numerous baffling and absurd scenarios, but they are applied in a manner that does not distract from the central story line and character arc.
Look out for the plot hole!
December 15, 2016
This book is a pretty wild ride, so prepare yourself for a constant stream of satire, intellectualism, humor, and allegories, as Frank Canon, the main character, makes his way through this surreal world delivering his satirical critiques. It’s fun, but complex, and I had to take it slow to absorb everything packed into every chapter. There is just so much in these pages, I honestly think Simon Campbell is some sort of genius who’s mind must open up like a portal to another dimension. His cleverly-humorous insights reminded me of Tom Robbins’ writing, but on steroids.
There are also some poignant moments, such as when Frank tells us about his childhood. I wish I’d marked that spot because I could re-read that a few times.
If you want a book that you can take it slow with, that will make you think and chuckle and escape, this is one you’re looking for.
There are also some poignant moments, such as when Frank tells us about his childhood. I wish I’d marked that spot because I could re-read that a few times.
If you want a book that you can take it slow with, that will make you think and chuckle and escape, this is one you’re looking for.
September 27, 2016
An interesting concept is displayed in this intelligent unique read. The idea that someone knows how to control happenings around the world, the “Miracle Adjuster”, questions the occurrences of everyday life and “what is reality?”. Possibly the greater whole of humanity would prefer this cushy existence, but I sure would not. With many interesting events arising, giving different perspectives, this kept me very entertained. It also includes quite a few really good laughs, and is written in a light comical fashion, which I loved. If you are simply looking for a pleasant smart read that will liven and lighten up your day, also get you thinking twice about why you are taking life so seriously (because it should never be taken so seriously), you should grab a copy of this.
September 5, 2016
It’s not very often that I take a chance on a new author but the title intrigued me and I was immediately captivated by the personality of the characters: the imaginative concept and the excellent writing. I will be looking out for the next Simon Campbell novel
December 10, 2017
Funny is not my natural genre for reading and for that reason I did struggle a bit with this book. Reminding me of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with the weird, whacky and witty, and Richard Flanagan's Gould's Book of Fish, in which you can't trust the reflections from the first person's point of view, the book's main character is a self-confessed liar, working to manipulate people's understandings of reality or seemingly miraculous events. If you enjoy funny books with lots of wit, this one might be for you.
(Disclaimer: author provided book for review)
(Disclaimer: author provided book for review)
May 15, 2017
Get ready to acknowledge the alternate reality of lying. Frank Cannon is forsworn to dissemble, dissimulate, and misinform, and in doing so, Simon Campbell’s character (and all the other miracle players) entertains and engages the reader in unique literary fashion. This is a smart, intellectual, and superbly written read, an effective parody of contemporary human prevarication.
Mr Campbell is the Prince of Fake News, deftly pointing the vagaries of reality, unreality, and in the end, truth.
Mr Campbell is the Prince of Fake News, deftly pointing the vagaries of reality, unreality, and in the end, truth.
July 2, 2017
This is not my usual preferred genre however, I did find it to be very interesting. The author has a way of getting you to think. I admit, when I first started reading this, it was a bit difficult to follow. I am assuming it's because as I mentioned, this isn't my usual genre. However, once I got a feel for this particular read it was much easier. It held my attention to the end. Well written. I received this book for a discounted rate or free in exchange for an honest rating.
September 25, 2016
An extremely cleverly written, funny, laugh out loud novel. Does what it says on the tin, encapsulates the World we live in (as dictated to us by the media)
Would like to meet Frank Canon !
Just brilliant.
Would like to meet Frank Canon !
Just brilliant.
October 7, 2016
This isn't the kind of book I normally read but a friend recommended this and I'm so glad - it is the funniest book I have read in ages!
October 13, 2017
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review, and here it is. It’s monotonically boring. It’s 340 pages of someone’s stream of thought with nothing going on in terms of plot. I mean, stuff happen but they don’t matter as they are mentioned for a few lines before the protagonist lashes out a hundred thousand word rambling about stuff.
So what exactly is going on with the premise, you might ask. There is this guy working for the Men in Black basically, going around and making up lies for covering up truths that governments and religions do not like. Which he does rather casually before he goes back to thinking about random conspiracy theories with no clear connection to each other. Some include apple pie flavored condoms, turbulences are just the pilots having fun, and making any show you like in a hospital.
Yes, there is a theme, but there is no sense of continuity, or transition from one thing to another. Also, no dialogues, or interesting characters. Even the Catcher in the Rye had more sense of connection to what was going on in the daily life of a spoiled brat, despite coming down to the inner thoughts of a jerk.
First person narration through inner monologues can only get you this far before it starts to get tiresome. It needed more variety, such as more points of view, or dialogues with others. Without challenging the beliefs of the protagonist through his interaction with others, it’s just naval gazing.
Although you gradually learn more about the protagonist and his job, you are given no incentive to care about any of that. Yeah, ok, people with power spread lies and cover up events. What about it can be engaging for 340 pages without some conflict or tension to keep you interested? There is no long term objective for what the protagonist is supposed to do, besides short term missions of faking and hoaxing. It’s just him constantly telling you everything is the truth they want you to believe.
The book was published in the wrong timeframe. Just like Catcher in the Rye became a sensation for the time it came out, the Miracle Adjuster would better fit a time when conspiracy theories are a fad, like during the X-files era, or the DaVinci Code craze. Today, conspiracies are a joke thus the book doesn’t hook anyone.
It’s basically self-indulgence for people who love to talk about themselves. If you bother to read the other reviews, you will gasp at how many are not talking about the book, they are talking about irrelevant crap they did.
“So I was reading this book and then ate a hamburger, MAN WHY DOES THIS REMIND ME OF MYSELF? COULD IT BE BECAUSE I WAS WRITING ABOUT MYSELF INSTEAD OF THE BOOK?”
Because down to it, that’s what the book is inflicting upon the reader. The urge to talk about himself instead of the actual book. And that is what fools him to think it’s relatable. The exact same thing which made light novels such as “The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi” and “Oregairu” so famous. Everything is criticized from the perspective of the protagonist, and since he is never challenged or questioned, the audience has the urge to talk about themselves and find that relatable. It’s all about ME-ME-ME-ME. Naval-gazing. Not exactly a creditable positive.
Oh, and I guess I have to add how it’s supposed to be funny in a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy type of deal, only it gets tiresome very fast because it’s basically one joke throughout the whole book with nothing to interrupt it for some much needed variety. Not recommended.
So what exactly is going on with the premise, you might ask. There is this guy working for the Men in Black basically, going around and making up lies for covering up truths that governments and religions do not like. Which he does rather casually before he goes back to thinking about random conspiracy theories with no clear connection to each other. Some include apple pie flavored condoms, turbulences are just the pilots having fun, and making any show you like in a hospital.
Yes, there is a theme, but there is no sense of continuity, or transition from one thing to another. Also, no dialogues, or interesting characters. Even the Catcher in the Rye had more sense of connection to what was going on in the daily life of a spoiled brat, despite coming down to the inner thoughts of a jerk.
First person narration through inner monologues can only get you this far before it starts to get tiresome. It needed more variety, such as more points of view, or dialogues with others. Without challenging the beliefs of the protagonist through his interaction with others, it’s just naval gazing.
Although you gradually learn more about the protagonist and his job, you are given no incentive to care about any of that. Yeah, ok, people with power spread lies and cover up events. What about it can be engaging for 340 pages without some conflict or tension to keep you interested? There is no long term objective for what the protagonist is supposed to do, besides short term missions of faking and hoaxing. It’s just him constantly telling you everything is the truth they want you to believe.
The book was published in the wrong timeframe. Just like Catcher in the Rye became a sensation for the time it came out, the Miracle Adjuster would better fit a time when conspiracy theories are a fad, like during the X-files era, or the DaVinci Code craze. Today, conspiracies are a joke thus the book doesn’t hook anyone.
It’s basically self-indulgence for people who love to talk about themselves. If you bother to read the other reviews, you will gasp at how many are not talking about the book, they are talking about irrelevant crap they did.
“So I was reading this book and then ate a hamburger, MAN WHY DOES THIS REMIND ME OF MYSELF? COULD IT BE BECAUSE I WAS WRITING ABOUT MYSELF INSTEAD OF THE BOOK?”
Because down to it, that’s what the book is inflicting upon the reader. The urge to talk about himself instead of the actual book. And that is what fools him to think it’s relatable. The exact same thing which made light novels such as “The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi” and “Oregairu” so famous. Everything is criticized from the perspective of the protagonist, and since he is never challenged or questioned, the audience has the urge to talk about themselves and find that relatable. It’s all about ME-ME-ME-ME. Naval-gazing. Not exactly a creditable positive.
Oh, and I guess I have to add how it’s supposed to be funny in a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy type of deal, only it gets tiresome very fast because it’s basically one joke throughout the whole book with nothing to interrupt it for some much needed variety. Not recommended.
January 7, 2017
I was very confused by this book - I saw the title and read the blurb and I felt like I had a reasonable handle on what the story was about. What I quickly realised was that these were not reflective of the tone of the book at all!
The Miracle Adjuster is a fairly straight comedy story - straight by way of telling, not plot. There aren't really huge jokes being knocked out of the park, but the overall absurdity of the book brought more than one smile to my face. The book is a pretty solid madcap, quirky adventure with a cast of characters you wouldn't personally want to have to rely on.
One thing I will say is that there are so many random, very particular details included that it's hard to know what (if anything) will wind up being important. There are so many strange things happening that you don't know what will be dropped immediately and what will wind up being important throughout the book. It also spends a lot of time explaining and justifying itself, which made me more suspicious than relieved — it could do with some trimming.
My recommendation is that when you pick this story up, you take a deep breath, buckle yourself in and just go where the story takes you, rather than trying to work out where it will all wind up. On the whole, this was a really good read. Very confusing, but the overall storyline was compelling (even though it was completely bizarre) and I think that Simon Campbell shows a lot of promise as a comedy writer.
3.5/5
The Miracle Adjuster is a fairly straight comedy story - straight by way of telling, not plot. There aren't really huge jokes being knocked out of the park, but the overall absurdity of the book brought more than one smile to my face. The book is a pretty solid madcap, quirky adventure with a cast of characters you wouldn't personally want to have to rely on.
One thing I will say is that there are so many random, very particular details included that it's hard to know what (if anything) will wind up being important. There are so many strange things happening that you don't know what will be dropped immediately and what will wind up being important throughout the book. It also spends a lot of time explaining and justifying itself, which made me more suspicious than relieved — it could do with some trimming.
My recommendation is that when you pick this story up, you take a deep breath, buckle yourself in and just go where the story takes you, rather than trying to work out where it will all wind up. On the whole, this was a really good read. Very confusing, but the overall storyline was compelling (even though it was completely bizarre) and I think that Simon Campbell shows a lot of promise as a comedy writer.
3.5/5
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