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Whose Reality Is This Anyway?
Reading David Luddington is like “Like reading your favourite sitcom.” – Nigel Planer “The funniest book of the year.” – Claire Ashton, Editor the Book Reviewer. Retired stage magician turned professional mystic debunker, John Barker, finds his sceptical beliefs under fire when he encounters a strange man who claims to be Merlin. After several unsuccessful attempts to rid himself of his increasingly unpredictable companion, John finally relents and agrees to assist in the man’s crazy mission, to find the true grave of the mythical King Arthur. Following a hidden code contained within the text of a soft porn novel, they gather a growing entourage of hippies, mystic seekers and alien hunters as they leave a trail of chaos across the south west of England. When the group comes to the attention of a TV Reality Show producer looking to make a fast profit out of harmless eccentrics and fading celebrities, John decides it’s time to take charge and prove one way or the other, the identity of this mysterious person who claims to be a fictional wizard. “Whose reality is this anyway?” is a warm-hearted tale of what it means to be an individual and to follow one’s dreams. With his trademark cast of oddball characters and absurd situations, David Luddington once more transports us into a world where who you are is more important than what you are. “David Luddington epitomizes the elusive quality of writing that he perpetuates - the British Comedy.” – Grady Harp
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2016
59 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 3, 2020
Magical. Absolutely fucking magical.
May 23, 2017
Absolutely amazing book. Was so surprised. I'd flicked passed it a couple of times with the cover not really grabbing my attention but gave it a go anyway in the end and it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Going to look into his other books now as his style of writing was spot on. Very funny well rounded characters with plenty of depth. Held my interest from the first chapter right up to the final page. I really hope he follows it up with a second book as seems these characters still have plenty of stories to give us.
July 2, 2018
got 20% in but it was not my cup of tea
February 1, 2021
Mystical happenings
John Barker used to be a magician and somehow gets entangled with a seemingly deranged man who claims to be Merlin and a raggle taggle band of weird characters. David Luddington conjures up a surprising and laugh-out-loud series of happenings which become a very satisfying and absorbing yarn through a series of bizarre incidents which at times satirise new age beliefs but then make you wonder about the borders between illusions and truly mystic worlds. This is another satisfying and gently funny tale from David Luddington.
John Barker used to be a magician and somehow gets entangled with a seemingly deranged man who claims to be Merlin and a raggle taggle band of weird characters. David Luddington conjures up a surprising and laugh-out-loud series of happenings which become a very satisfying and absorbing yarn through a series of bizarre incidents which at times satirise new age beliefs but then make you wonder about the borders between illusions and truly mystic worlds. This is another satisfying and gently funny tale from David Luddington.
January 10, 2019
Whose reality is this anyway
Very enjoyable read full of some really weird characters. After slightly puzzling start the story goes from strength to strength with plenty of humour thrown in for good measure
Very enjoyable read full of some really weird characters. After slightly puzzling start the story goes from strength to strength with plenty of humour thrown in for good measure
November 20, 2025
Wild, hilarious, and delightfully unhinged — I adored every second!
Whose Reality Is This Anyway? is an absolute riot from start to finish. The characters aren’t just quirky — they are quirky personified, each one bursting with so much chaotic charm and personality that I couldn’t stop smiling. Every page is packed with witty banter, madcap moments, and that perfect blend of warmth and chaos that makes a book truly memorable.
What I loved most is how confidently the book leans into its own eccentricity. It’s playful, clever, and full of energy, the kind of story where you never know what’s coming next but you’re thrilled to be along for the ride. The relationships feel wonderfully offbeat, the humour is sharp, and the whole thing has that irresistible “just one more chapter” vibe.
This is exactly the kind of book I love — bold, original, and unapologetically fun. The author has created a cast of characters you can’t help but cheer for, even as they spiral into some of the most hilarious situations imaginable. The narrator had me in stitches, especially with Merlin! Very very well done!
A hilarious, heart-warming delight. I laughed, I grinned like an idiot, and I didn’t want it to end. A huge 5 stars from me!
Whose Reality Is This Anyway? is an absolute riot from start to finish. The characters aren’t just quirky — they are quirky personified, each one bursting with so much chaotic charm and personality that I couldn’t stop smiling. Every page is packed with witty banter, madcap moments, and that perfect blend of warmth and chaos that makes a book truly memorable.
What I loved most is how confidently the book leans into its own eccentricity. It’s playful, clever, and full of energy, the kind of story where you never know what’s coming next but you’re thrilled to be along for the ride. The relationships feel wonderfully offbeat, the humour is sharp, and the whole thing has that irresistible “just one more chapter” vibe.
This is exactly the kind of book I love — bold, original, and unapologetically fun. The author has created a cast of characters you can’t help but cheer for, even as they spiral into some of the most hilarious situations imaginable. The narrator had me in stitches, especially with Merlin! Very very well done!
A hilarious, heart-warming delight. I laughed, I grinned like an idiot, and I didn’t want it to end. A huge 5 stars from me!
April 16, 2018
Hale and Hearty.
I really enjoyed this poignant tale of one man's journey from cynic to reluctant believer in all things magical. A wonderful cast of hippies, soldiers, N.H.S. jobsworths, bored policemen, back biting T.V. personalities, they all contributed to this unfolding story of one man's very personal journey. Accept what you cannot see and believe in the impossible, was the moral of this story.
I really enjoyed this poignant tale of one man's journey from cynic to reluctant believer in all things magical. A wonderful cast of hippies, soldiers, N.H.S. jobsworths, bored policemen, back biting T.V. personalities, they all contributed to this unfolding story of one man's very personal journey. Accept what you cannot see and believe in the impossible, was the moral of this story.
June 21, 2019
Brilliant, you feel you know all the people in the book.
This book was a great laugh from start to finish, you could actually picture each character as the story unfolded, I was willing them on to succeed all the way through. The end was the best ending I have ever read. You didn't know how their quest would end until the last line. Fantastic can't wait to start the next book by this author.
This book was a great laugh from start to finish, you could actually picture each character as the story unfolded, I was willing them on to succeed all the way through. The end was the best ending I have ever read. You didn't know how their quest would end until the last line. Fantastic can't wait to start the next book by this author.
September 19, 2021
Quite possibly the most unusual book that I’ve read this year
I’ve read quite a few books by David recently and I’ve settled nicely into his particular brand of quirky.
This book, like many of his others will have you randomly bursting in laughter, be warned!
David brings all his characters to life so well and you find yourself rooting for them, regardless of how absurd their quests may be.
I hope that “Breakfast” is still ok and that John continues to visit him.
I’ve read quite a few books by David recently and I’ve settled nicely into his particular brand of quirky.
This book, like many of his others will have you randomly bursting in laughter, be warned!
David brings all his characters to life so well and you find yourself rooting for them, regardless of how absurd their quests may be.
I hope that “Breakfast” is still ok and that John continues to visit him.
January 24, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable!
This thoroughly enjoyable modern take on the Arthurian legend is a laugh out loud joy typical of Mr Luddington .
It is full of well drawn and imaginative characters . Hero's, villains, oddballs and even '50 Shades of Grey' join together in the search for the remains of King Arthur. To find out what happens you will have to read it.
Its a perfect way to spend a wet winter Sunday or a lazy day on the beach.
This thoroughly enjoyable modern take on the Arthurian legend is a laugh out loud joy typical of Mr Luddington .
It is full of well drawn and imaginative characters . Hero's, villains, oddballs and even '50 Shades of Grey' join together in the search for the remains of King Arthur. To find out what happens you will have to read it.
Its a perfect way to spend a wet winter Sunday or a lazy day on the beach.
January 21, 2023
The beginning promised much...
However it didn't really deliver overall.
It's not a bad book. It's very readable and the plot moves at a steady pace the problem is, it never lived up to how you'd expect it to be. Main characters are ok and they do develop over the course of the book. The main issue for me is you have a main plot that's reasonable but other bits seemed tacked on the increase the page count; rather than adding anything of significance to the story.
However it didn't really deliver overall.
It's not a bad book. It's very readable and the plot moves at a steady pace the problem is, it never lived up to how you'd expect it to be. Main characters are ok and they do develop over the course of the book. The main issue for me is you have a main plot that's reasonable but other bits seemed tacked on the increase the page count; rather than adding anything of significance to the story.
February 21, 2017
ingenious - and funny to boot
A cast of well rounded characters and a good and sometimes poignant plot. How a heartbroken stage illusionist gets his mojo back with the help of a rebellious psychiatric nurse, a ragbag of hippies, swampies and metal detectorists and (of course) Merlin. I'll look out for more by this author
A cast of well rounded characters and a good and sometimes poignant plot. How a heartbroken stage illusionist gets his mojo back with the help of a rebellious psychiatric nurse, a ragbag of hippies, swampies and metal detectorists and (of course) Merlin. I'll look out for more by this author
January 25, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this very funny but also deep and moving story. It's the third Luddington book I've read, the first 5 star, but I've liked them all. I have others lined up. Luddington seems adept at assembling large groups of people in zany confusion and putting it all together in the end in a satisfying way. I recommend.
June 29, 2025
Absolutely awesome #Merlin is real
As a Glastonbury resident I love reading about our town, and I love this story. Funny, irreverent, sacred and emotional.
Looking forward to my next read by this author. My husband and I are reading these together, first time we like the same author. It’s a journey.🙏🫶
As a Glastonbury resident I love reading about our town, and I love this story. Funny, irreverent, sacred and emotional.
Looking forward to my next read by this author. My husband and I are reading these together, first time we like the same author. It’s a journey.🙏🫶
September 18, 2020
Go on, you know you want to
Following the quality of the author's previous books, this one does not disappoint.
Medieval England, mental illness and a romantic link all mix seamlessly. Obviously.
Following the quality of the author's previous books, this one does not disappoint.
Medieval England, mental illness and a romantic link all mix seamlessly. Obviously.
January 27, 2018
Good fun
Lovely funny heart warming read. Perfect for a cold winter's afternoon escapism. Would probably appeal to fans of Douglas Adams and
Terry Pratchett.
Lovely funny heart warming read. Perfect for a cold winter's afternoon escapism. Would probably appeal to fans of Douglas Adams and
Terry Pratchett.
June 2, 2019
Whimsical tale. light and fluffy reading could have been 'tighter'
December 27, 2019
What a Romp!
Quite a change of pace for my reading habits. Perfectly logical zany characters abound. Who is ... Is there a real Merlin?
Quite a change of pace for my reading habits. Perfectly logical zany characters abound. Who is ... Is there a real Merlin?
July 5, 2021
Loved it
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this - I've loved every David Luddington book so far and this one was pretty fabulous too. Highly recommended as with all the others.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this - I've loved every David Luddington book so far and this one was pretty fabulous too. Highly recommended as with all the others.
May 11, 2022
Excellent read
Lovely humerous take on Arthurian legend, entertaining and compelling.
A good old yarn with a lovely ending but I was sad to reach it
Lovely humerous take on Arthurian legend, entertaining and compelling.
A good old yarn with a lovely ending but I was sad to reach it
March 28, 2023
Spell binding
What a strange piece of fiction. It's fun, it's provocative, it's daft however I kept being drawn back to it
What a strange piece of fiction. It's fun, it's provocative, it's daft however I kept being drawn back to it
July 21, 2023
Started well....
But quickly lost interest and started to skip chapters and was glad to get to the last chapter...which was very disappointing!
But quickly lost interest and started to skip chapters and was glad to get to the last chapter...which was very disappointing!
August 25, 2023
Never Believe It's Not So
More gentle humour and kindness from disparate group of misfits in South West England. Ruthless savaging however, of reality tv and wannabe celebrities.
More gentle humour and kindness from disparate group of misfits in South West England. Ruthless savaging however, of reality tv and wannabe celebrities.
September 10, 2024
A really enjoyable read and page turner. No spoilers but a great ending! Magical!
March 10, 2017
Delightfully daft. Really funny.
November 11, 2016
Yet another great book from David Luddington.
You have to like his characters, and the one's in this book are just as lovable. My problem is that I read this book in too short a time and it left me wanting more. Well done David keep them coming.
You have to like his characters, and the one's in this book are just as lovable. My problem is that I read this book in too short a time and it left me wanting more. Well done David keep them coming.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews