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Scoundrels
Spanning much of the 20th Century and revolving around the infamous gentlemen's club of London, Scoundrels is the jaw-dropping memoirs of disreputable spies Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan.
The Majors recount scandalous tales of murder on Everest, panda hunting with the last Chinese Emperor and the theft of a uniquely sordid item from the Nazi fortress Klunghammer. But why have they been under house arrest for over thirty years?
Historically accurate, morally questionable and absolutely true, Scoundrels is one part Flashman to two parts Mordecai Trilogy, stirred vigorously and dashed in the face of Ian Fleming. It will leave you with a nasty taste in your mouth and horribly hungover.
The Majors recount scandalous tales of murder on Everest, panda hunting with the last Chinese Emperor and the theft of a uniquely sordid item from the Nazi fortress Klunghammer. But why have they been under house arrest for over thirty years?
Historically accurate, morally questionable and absolutely true, Scoundrels is one part Flashman to two parts Mordecai Trilogy, stirred vigorously and dashed in the face of Ian Fleming. It will leave you with a nasty taste in your mouth and horribly hungover.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2017
124 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Victor Cornwall
3 books25 followersVictor Cornwall, the pseudonym of author, Duncan Crowe, writes fiction with James Peak, producing 'Scoundrels'. The first volume was published by Black Door Press and distributed by Turnaround Ltd in June 2017, and is now on its fourth printing. The second volume, 'The Hunt For Hansclapp' was nominated for the Literary Review's Bad Sex in Fiction Award. The third and final volume 'Her Majesty's Pleasure' was released in December 2021.
Usually, a book with 'scoundrel' in the title is a breathless romantic fiction full of bodice-heaving, muscular chaps in tight jodphurs and trysts in the English countryside.
Our books are not those books: our books are about manslaughter, blackmail, deadly casinos, Turkish bakers, unsavoury gymnasiums, horrible incidents in the Wimbledon changing rooms, Chinese sex-assassins, Stasi spies, showdowns with giant bulls, fights, fixes, chess games gone wrong, accidents involving rickety firearms, gambling, braggadocio, bluster, and generally sordid goings-on from which nobody emerges with any credit.
Be warned, the Scoundrels stories are unapologetically filthy and eye-opening spy-thrillers, starring the disreputable Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St. John Trevelyan, who are approaching their 100th birthdays and keen to relate the unwholesome stories of their youth. These stories centre around Scoundrels Club of Piccadilly, a Gentlemen's Club charged with fixing the sort of diplomatic and espionage crises that can't go through normal channels.
The books have been championed by wonderful authors and artists like Terry Gilliam, Christopher Fowler and Bob Deis. They've been described many times by journalists, bloggers and real people we don't know as "the funniest thing I've ever read", "genius" (The Chap Magazine), "like Flashman on acid" (Men's Adventure Library) and even "immensely satisfying" (Daily Telegraph)
Usually, a book with 'scoundrel' in the title is a breathless romantic fiction full of bodice-heaving, muscular chaps in tight jodphurs and trysts in the English countryside.
Our books are not those books: our books are about manslaughter, blackmail, deadly casinos, Turkish bakers, unsavoury gymnasiums, horrible incidents in the Wimbledon changing rooms, Chinese sex-assassins, Stasi spies, showdowns with giant bulls, fights, fixes, chess games gone wrong, accidents involving rickety firearms, gambling, braggadocio, bluster, and generally sordid goings-on from which nobody emerges with any credit.
Be warned, the Scoundrels stories are unapologetically filthy and eye-opening spy-thrillers, starring the disreputable Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St. John Trevelyan, who are approaching their 100th birthdays and keen to relate the unwholesome stories of their youth. These stories centre around Scoundrels Club of Piccadilly, a Gentlemen's Club charged with fixing the sort of diplomatic and espionage crises that can't go through normal channels.
The books have been championed by wonderful authors and artists like Terry Gilliam, Christopher Fowler and Bob Deis. They've been described many times by journalists, bloggers and real people we don't know as "the funniest thing I've ever read", "genius" (The Chap Magazine), "like Flashman on acid" (Men's Adventure Library) and even "immensely satisfying" (Daily Telegraph)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 18, 2021
(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Shamelessly silly, it survives a stumbling, shaky start, simply salty-superficial, still, it's surprisingly sharp and smart.
Notes: Shamelessly silly, it survives a stumbling, shaky start, simply salty-superficial, still, it's surprisingly sharp and smart.
April 28, 2019
Reprobates
Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St John Trevelyan are two stereotypical English aristocrats, from an era when they had servants dealing with all the details that every activity required. They exhibit that air of confident superiority yet often lack common sense. They hold an undiminished belief that anything is possible and giving it a jolly good show, they succeed. Scoundrels is a superbly entertaining, mischievous and humorous account of their lives from school in 1931, through the Second World War, to continuing to serve their country in 1951.
The novel starts with Cornwall writing a letter to Trevelyan in 2016 outlining his plans to write their memoirs. What has precipitated this endeavour is a feeling of being hard-done-by and being under house arrest for over 30 years. Victor wants to record his exploits, as he sees them, but Trevelyan refuses to participate and indeed requests that Cornwall cease writing to him. Ignoring this request Victor sends a sample to Trevelyan of his account of a race they participated in in 1950, from Paris to Dakar, without the use of motorised vehicles – i.e. using animals. The account of their exploits is one of the funniest tales I’ve read, I mean seriously laugh out loud – I nearly suffocated. The structure, how each step is carefully presented, how the pace is maintained and how the punch lines are perfectly delivered, is just brilliant. There is this constant sense of being teased into knowing that someone or something is being set up and the anticipation builds until the climax is revealed. The outcome is typically harmful to someone, including themselves. Yet they somehow manage to successfully achieve their goals.
Because the Paris to Dakar account leaves Trevelyan feeling the brunt of the joke and ridiculed in print, he decides to contribute directly to the writing of the memoirs. Thus begins the joint tales of Cornwall and Trevelyan. Following schooling in Winstowe College, they become friends and then members of the Scoundrels Gentleman’s Club in London.
The writing shouldn’t be underestimated because it is very clever how the pace, jokes, innuendos, plot, and dialogue all contribute to a wonderful reading experience. It is hilariously funny and I do have a very visual and slapstick sense of humour. So this book felt it was just written for me.
I would highly recommend this book and I would like to thank Duncan Crowe and James Peak, for providing me with a copy of their book in return for an honest review.
Additional Book Ratings
Cover Design: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Proofreading Success: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quality of Book Formatting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Status: Paperback Published
Illustrations: N/A
Number of Pages: 412
Number of Chapters: 20 (approx 20 pages per chapter)
Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St John Trevelyan are two stereotypical English aristocrats, from an era when they had servants dealing with all the details that every activity required. They exhibit that air of confident superiority yet often lack common sense. They hold an undiminished belief that anything is possible and giving it a jolly good show, they succeed. Scoundrels is a superbly entertaining, mischievous and humorous account of their lives from school in 1931, through the Second World War, to continuing to serve their country in 1951.
The novel starts with Cornwall writing a letter to Trevelyan in 2016 outlining his plans to write their memoirs. What has precipitated this endeavour is a feeling of being hard-done-by and being under house arrest for over 30 years. Victor wants to record his exploits, as he sees them, but Trevelyan refuses to participate and indeed requests that Cornwall cease writing to him. Ignoring this request Victor sends a sample to Trevelyan of his account of a race they participated in in 1950, from Paris to Dakar, without the use of motorised vehicles – i.e. using animals. The account of their exploits is one of the funniest tales I’ve read, I mean seriously laugh out loud – I nearly suffocated. The structure, how each step is carefully presented, how the pace is maintained and how the punch lines are perfectly delivered, is just brilliant. There is this constant sense of being teased into knowing that someone or something is being set up and the anticipation builds until the climax is revealed. The outcome is typically harmful to someone, including themselves. Yet they somehow manage to successfully achieve their goals.
Because the Paris to Dakar account leaves Trevelyan feeling the brunt of the joke and ridiculed in print, he decides to contribute directly to the writing of the memoirs. Thus begins the joint tales of Cornwall and Trevelyan. Following schooling in Winstowe College, they become friends and then members of the Scoundrels Gentleman’s Club in London.
“Gentlemen memberes of Scoundrelles are at their libertie in all things, and not subject to the laws of the land of England, nor rulings of court nor tribunal. But they are subject to the laws of theire Club.The dialogue defines the characters, it develops their personalities, their outlook on life and their interactions. The novel is riddled with political incorrectness and is forcibly masculine.
Gentlemen memberes of Scoundrelles are exempt from all Crown taxation, in perpetuity. But they are not exempt from the fees of theire Club.
Gentlemen memberes of Scoundrelles are upon their honour to accept theire duties, emissary work, and other missions, for the furtherance of the King of England and of Justice.”
The writing shouldn’t be underestimated because it is very clever how the pace, jokes, innuendos, plot, and dialogue all contribute to a wonderful reading experience. It is hilariously funny and I do have a very visual and slapstick sense of humour. So this book felt it was just written for me.
I would highly recommend this book and I would like to thank Duncan Crowe and James Peak, for providing me with a copy of their book in return for an honest review.
Additional Book Ratings
Cover Design: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Proofreading Success: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quality of Book Formatting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Status: Paperback Published
Illustrations: N/A
Number of Pages: 412
Number of Chapters: 20 (approx 20 pages per chapter)
July 18, 2020
I have been a regular member of NetGalley till Sept 2018. Later on my visits to their site reduced, I think one of those visits I applied for "Scoundrels 1 & 2". I got the approval for both the volumes. I think I checked the first volume and read a few pages. But somehow I forgot about those two books and found them during COVID Lockdown. I wanted some good books which can lighten the mood and stress level during these trying times. And Scoundrels gave me that peace of mind. I am grateful to NetGalley and authors for providing such a wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. And I would like to apologize for the delaying review. Still, books needed it's pending praise and here I am delivering duty which was due for almost a year and a half.
Before we discuss the plot let me tell you my first impression of the book cover. I was going through NetGalley shelves when two funny covers came into the view. They reminded me of my favorite childhood tv show "Laurel and Hardy". The title was equally funny, "Scoundrels". I knew the books will be a fun riot. I applied to them immediately. I think they were the last books I applied within those 12 months. I am glad I have these books with me to enlighten my mood. As I applied books in combo and got approval for both, I am posting a combined review.
"Scoundrels" & "Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp" are the first two volumes of adventurous, fun-filled & thrilled journey of Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan. The word scoundrels in not specifically for majors but rather a secretive club dedicated to great Britain. But the name does signify their activities which can not be done through political dialog or war. They do the nasty jobs.
The first volume started in recent times where Major Cornwall pushed Major Trevelyn to work on a combined memoir of their adventures. After much cooing and pushing around Major Trevelyan reluctantly accepted Cornwall's request. And thus started a rollercoaster of comedy. The very first incident they mentioned was "Race to Dakor desert". After that followed, their encounter with the Chinese Emperor. After giving a brief of what is to be expected (if you continue reading the book) both major took sequential narration of their memoir. The first part covers both major's school lives, how they entered the Scoundrel club, how they brought a secret weapon from Nazis, survived as prisoners of war in the Japanese army's captivity. The first part ends with Majors making enmity with Gruber Hansclapp.
Major Cornwall is shown smarter of the two always get stuck in the problem and later on saved by Major Trevelyan. Both of them, or I would say most of the club members, were shown as super-rich and their lifestyle is shown with comic style. The way Majors use a variety of liquor and specially made tobacco for various situation/place/moods bring a smile to your faces.
Now coming to characters & storytelling, I must have mentioned fun quotient more than 7-8 times, and you will find multiple styles of comedy. There is a black comedy, blue comedy, situational comedy, physical comedy, character comedy and whatnot. The selection of words is time appropriate. The first volume was around the second world war, and the second volume covers a decade after the second world war.
Language is not age-appropriate, it is strictly 16+ material.
My advice is not to read the book in public, you may end up laughing out loud and may embarrass yourself.
With this, I will complete the review. Talking about ratings
1) Scoundrel - 4.25/5
Before we discuss the plot let me tell you my first impression of the book cover. I was going through NetGalley shelves when two funny covers came into the view. They reminded me of my favorite childhood tv show "Laurel and Hardy". The title was equally funny, "Scoundrels". I knew the books will be a fun riot. I applied to them immediately. I think they were the last books I applied within those 12 months. I am glad I have these books with me to enlighten my mood. As I applied books in combo and got approval for both, I am posting a combined review.
"Scoundrels" & "Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp" are the first two volumes of adventurous, fun-filled & thrilled journey of Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan. The word scoundrels in not specifically for majors but rather a secretive club dedicated to great Britain. But the name does signify their activities which can not be done through political dialog or war. They do the nasty jobs.
The first volume started in recent times where Major Cornwall pushed Major Trevelyn to work on a combined memoir of their adventures. After much cooing and pushing around Major Trevelyan reluctantly accepted Cornwall's request. And thus started a rollercoaster of comedy. The very first incident they mentioned was "Race to Dakor desert". After that followed, their encounter with the Chinese Emperor. After giving a brief of what is to be expected (if you continue reading the book) both major took sequential narration of their memoir. The first part covers both major's school lives, how they entered the Scoundrel club, how they brought a secret weapon from Nazis, survived as prisoners of war in the Japanese army's captivity. The first part ends with Majors making enmity with Gruber Hansclapp.
Major Cornwall is shown smarter of the two always get stuck in the problem and later on saved by Major Trevelyan. Both of them, or I would say most of the club members, were shown as super-rich and their lifestyle is shown with comic style. The way Majors use a variety of liquor and specially made tobacco for various situation/place/moods bring a smile to your faces.
Now coming to characters & storytelling, I must have mentioned fun quotient more than 7-8 times, and you will find multiple styles of comedy. There is a black comedy, blue comedy, situational comedy, physical comedy, character comedy and whatnot. The selection of words is time appropriate. The first volume was around the second world war, and the second volume covers a decade after the second world war.
Language is not age-appropriate, it is strictly 16+ material.
My advice is not to read the book in public, you may end up laughing out loud and may embarrass yourself.
With this, I will complete the review. Talking about ratings
1) Scoundrel - 4.25/5
November 25, 2017
The Majors have asked me to write a review of the first published volume of their joint memoirs.
We met in the city one blisteringly warm summer’s day. Cornwall I could just about tolerate, but Trevelyan had a face like a slapped arse. I told him as much, to which he seemed to cower slightly, and became aloof for some time, stepping away for a smoke.
‘Did I upset him?’ I asked Victor, to which he told me, with the solemnity of a doctor revealing the need of full castration, of an incident that took place during the world’s first Paris-Dakar Rally, in 1950.
During the telling, Trevelyan sauntered back to our table, but, hearing the Major in mid flow telling me about the unfortunate incident, he spun and continued away without slowing a pace, igniting a second cigarette with the dying embers of the first. Then Cornwall thrust the manuscript before me. When Trevelyan returned, I did not mention his face.
Turns out that this incident opens their memoirs, which is promoted, by themselves, as ‘sweepingly tragic, emotionally devastating, heartfelt, uplifting’.
The events are told through correspondence between the two Majors, who are now retired and living separate lives in their respective country manors.
All in all, it seems neither man has much life left on this earth, and thus decided the world needed to hear of their tales.
And what tales!
The title, Scoundrels, refers to an elite social club in Piccadilly, of which these two men were members for many decades, undertaking high-stakes adventures. We hear of their induction, their rivalries with Gruber Hansclapp, an Austrian man they first met whilst at school.
In worries of spoilers I shall say this: something monumentally sexual and tragic occurs involving Hansclapp’s bull, and thus sparks a rivalry that will span most of the 20th century, and rightly so.
Then we follow the Majors as they infiltrate a Nazi castle, conjure up daring plans to discover secrets, and even encounter a very dangerous woman, indeed.
The Majors are complete arses. This is true, but also it is an endearing quality to find with a protagonist. I found myself fearing for their safety, marvelling at the magnificent feats of endurance they show, and they should by now be dead many times over.
Filled to the brim with humour, innuendo, and downright vomit-inducing episodes, this first volume has everything one could possibly wish for in the memoirs of two brave and utterly intolerable men.
P.S. Should Major Trevelyan read this, then I must tell you something. The true reason for my requesting a meeting was actually nothing to do with the memoirs, which were a pleasant surprise, but unexpected. No, I wished to see you because I believe that my father was sired during your legendary interpretation of Jules Verne’s early manuscript of Around the World. My grandmother was ‘London’. Whilst you will maintain you did not ‘complete’ during this leg of the tour, my father believes that, in your obvious excitement, there was a bit of seepage, so to speak.
We met in the city one blisteringly warm summer’s day. Cornwall I could just about tolerate, but Trevelyan had a face like a slapped arse. I told him as much, to which he seemed to cower slightly, and became aloof for some time, stepping away for a smoke.
‘Did I upset him?’ I asked Victor, to which he told me, with the solemnity of a doctor revealing the need of full castration, of an incident that took place during the world’s first Paris-Dakar Rally, in 1950.
During the telling, Trevelyan sauntered back to our table, but, hearing the Major in mid flow telling me about the unfortunate incident, he spun and continued away without slowing a pace, igniting a second cigarette with the dying embers of the first. Then Cornwall thrust the manuscript before me. When Trevelyan returned, I did not mention his face.
Turns out that this incident opens their memoirs, which is promoted, by themselves, as ‘sweepingly tragic, emotionally devastating, heartfelt, uplifting’.
The events are told through correspondence between the two Majors, who are now retired and living separate lives in their respective country manors.
All in all, it seems neither man has much life left on this earth, and thus decided the world needed to hear of their tales.
And what tales!
The title, Scoundrels, refers to an elite social club in Piccadilly, of which these two men were members for many decades, undertaking high-stakes adventures. We hear of their induction, their rivalries with Gruber Hansclapp, an Austrian man they first met whilst at school.
In worries of spoilers I shall say this: something monumentally sexual and tragic occurs involving Hansclapp’s bull, and thus sparks a rivalry that will span most of the 20th century, and rightly so.
Then we follow the Majors as they infiltrate a Nazi castle, conjure up daring plans to discover secrets, and even encounter a very dangerous woman, indeed.
The Majors are complete arses. This is true, but also it is an endearing quality to find with a protagonist. I found myself fearing for their safety, marvelling at the magnificent feats of endurance they show, and they should by now be dead many times over.
Filled to the brim with humour, innuendo, and downright vomit-inducing episodes, this first volume has everything one could possibly wish for in the memoirs of two brave and utterly intolerable men.
P.S. Should Major Trevelyan read this, then I must tell you something. The true reason for my requesting a meeting was actually nothing to do with the memoirs, which were a pleasant surprise, but unexpected. No, I wished to see you because I believe that my father was sired during your legendary interpretation of Jules Verne’s early manuscript of Around the World. My grandmother was ‘London’. Whilst you will maintain you did not ‘complete’ during this leg of the tour, my father believes that, in your obvious excitement, there was a bit of seepage, so to speak.
June 22, 2018
Dreadful old tosh but amusing in its way, I suppose, if you like that type of thing. If I didn't have actual literary standards to uphold I might have enjoyed it, I might have even laughed out loud at some points. Sadly, I'm a committed stick-in-the-mud about these things and read the thing with a face like a decomposing trout. For pity's sake, I do hope the lazy articles get on with the second one soon so I can moan on about that too.
Read
November 8, 2018I picked this off NetGalley hoping it would be somewhat like George Macdonald Frasier's Flashman series, which I enjoyed back in the day.
It owes something to Flashman, perhaps, but is a good deal raunchier, as "Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St. John Trevelyan" exchange letters about their (very) checkered past.
It seems these two old duffers want to reminisce--or one does, the other refusing to get dragged into it, until he changes his mind if only to correct the highly opinionated record written by his "colleague."
The book really takes off when the two are inducted into Scoundrels, a secret club for certain kinds of sportsmen, who may be sent on highly secret missions for the government.
The ridiculousness compounds through the thirties, and World War II, to the fifties, as these two contrast their heroism and physical abilities, let us say, with the villains they defeat. It's vivid, crude, over the top.
Don't look for historical veracity--just about every instance of German is wrong, for example--but if you're in the mood for ridiculous antics with a lot of gross humor, the majors are your men. I read most of this while waiting in a train station, occasionally snickering, and groaning a lot.
Copy provided by NetGalley
It owes something to Flashman, perhaps, but is a good deal raunchier, as "Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St. John Trevelyan" exchange letters about their (very) checkered past.
It seems these two old duffers want to reminisce--or one does, the other refusing to get dragged into it, until he changes his mind if only to correct the highly opinionated record written by his "colleague."
The book really takes off when the two are inducted into Scoundrels, a secret club for certain kinds of sportsmen, who may be sent on highly secret missions for the government.
The ridiculousness compounds through the thirties, and World War II, to the fifties, as these two contrast their heroism and physical abilities, let us say, with the villains they defeat. It's vivid, crude, over the top.
Don't look for historical veracity--just about every instance of German is wrong, for example--but if you're in the mood for ridiculous antics with a lot of gross humor, the majors are your men. I read most of this while waiting in a train station, occasionally snickering, and groaning a lot.
Copy provided by NetGalley
October 12, 2017
I can not stress enough how much I loved this book! If you are wondering what to read next please, please PLEASE make it this book.
I'll be honest I had to read this for a book group and probably wouldn't have picked it up myself as the cover looks like it's a mans book. Prime example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This is suitable for both sexes and is hilarious. I literally laughed out loud on so many occasions with this book. Each chapter out does the previous with hilarity, vulgarity and naughtiness. There is a huge feeling of one-man-up-man-ship between the two authors obviously trying to outwit each other in a most successful way. I've bought this for family and friends as I really want everyone to know about it. I'd advise going into this book blind as I did, you'll get so much more out of it. The next two books in this trilogy have rushed to the top of my most anticipated reads and I desperately want to see what further adventures these two rogues get up too. Perfect for fans of Faulty Towers, Black Adder and even Red Dwarf I'd say. You will not regret picking this one up.
I'll be honest I had to read this for a book group and probably wouldn't have picked it up myself as the cover looks like it's a mans book. Prime example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This is suitable for both sexes and is hilarious. I literally laughed out loud on so many occasions with this book. Each chapter out does the previous with hilarity, vulgarity and naughtiness. There is a huge feeling of one-man-up-man-ship between the two authors obviously trying to outwit each other in a most successful way. I've bought this for family and friends as I really want everyone to know about it. I'd advise going into this book blind as I did, you'll get so much more out of it. The next two books in this trilogy have rushed to the top of my most anticipated reads and I desperately want to see what further adventures these two rogues get up too. Perfect for fans of Faulty Towers, Black Adder and even Red Dwarf I'd say. You will not regret picking this one up.
July 9, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! After seeing countless adverts for it in Viz magazine, and finding a book token I hot footed it to Waterstones. Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan are brilliant storytellers and this is a laugh out loud page turner of a book. My partner was giggling like Mutley all the way through as was I. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence that we share the same favourite Major ( I'm not telling who), but we can't wait to read volume 2!
October 14, 2018
As a younger I loved to watch Black Adder and this one reminded me of that series and that typical English humor. I found myself snorting, laughing out loud at most of the times... Had to finish it as fast I was able to read... It made my weekend better. For my taste it is 5 stars but just to say that this kind of humor is not for everyone's taste
October 15, 2018
Hilarious non PC madness ostensibly written by two elderly British spies. Definitely not Fleming or Dahl, and Bletchley Park would have flushed them down the loo while laughing maniacally. I suppose that viagra candidates would be the best audience because they would remember Benny Hill. I expect that all future SCOTUS candidates should be barred from purchasing this book.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Black Door Press via NetGalley.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Black Door Press via NetGalley.
September 11, 2018
This book is a little crazy, a little awful and a lot of fun - but what else to expect from Farrago book.. One just can't put it down, whilst shaking ones head. Probably not a book for the PC crowd, very "tongue in cheek"
Written in a series of letters as published memoires between two friends? enemies or are they just jealous of each other?
The adventures are tantalising, funny and very crazy, for some reason it brings to my mind the steam punk era.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel
Written in a series of letters as published memoires between two friends? enemies or are they just jealous of each other?
The adventures are tantalising, funny and very crazy, for some reason it brings to my mind the steam punk era.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel
June 1, 2019
Purportedly the memoirs of two 20th Century English spies involving a certain London gentlemen’s club. Veddy British, very non-PC, very absurdist humor. A wildly amusing cup of comedic tea! 4 of 5 stars
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine. Pub Date 01 Jul 2018. #Scoundrels #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine. Pub Date 01 Jul 2018. #Scoundrels #NetGalley
February 8, 2019
This is a unique book. Very different from what I was expecting, but pleasing. Major Victor Cornwall and Major St. John Trevelyan bounce off each other in this funny compelling read. It is the memoirs of there time as spies, with murder, adventure, tragedy and deceit. It has its uplifting and heartfelt moments as well. I really enjoyed this! 5 stars!
September 22, 2017
I was in a bookshop in Elgin with my book-aholic son who was desperate for something new to read. I forget what’s he bought but just as I was turning to leave I saw the front cover of the Majors’ book on a table near the counter.
“Hold on Sunshine,” I called out, “I might have to buy this book.”
I didn’t start it until I had finished whatever book I was reading at the time but after that it was whirlwind of laughing out loud on the train and tears rolling down my face. I had just bought some moustache wax so it all sort of slotted into place.
My son - who isn’t yet 12 - is desperate to read the book as I’ve read several sections to him. He particularly enjoyed the pinemartin-related material. I suspect that he has told all his friends about it by now as well.
I’ve shared the name of the book with several friends and additional copies may be bought as presents this Christmas.
I’m glad that the Majors have lots more stories as it is the funniest book as well as the first epistolary that I’ve ever read.
“Hold on Sunshine,” I called out, “I might have to buy this book.”
I didn’t start it until I had finished whatever book I was reading at the time but after that it was whirlwind of laughing out loud on the train and tears rolling down my face. I had just bought some moustache wax so it all sort of slotted into place.
My son - who isn’t yet 12 - is desperate to read the book as I’ve read several sections to him. He particularly enjoyed the pinemartin-related material. I suspect that he has told all his friends about it by now as well.
I’ve shared the name of the book with several friends and additional copies may be bought as presents this Christmas.
I’m glad that the Majors have lots more stories as it is the funniest book as well as the first epistolary that I’ve ever read.
November 23, 2017
Well this was just ludicrous. Like the rapper. Except not like the rapper at all and more like one of the most rollickingly daft pieces of British fiction I've had the joy to read in some time. It has the sensibility of Blackadder by way of Robert Rankin and is oh so deliciously crude in all the best ways, beautifully balanced with an upper class brazenness which makes it all weirdly endearing.
Of course none of that would be particularly helpful if the plot didn't barrel you along like a you've been blown off your feet by a freakin' blunderbuss blast. Thankfully it does. Obviously. It would be weird to say that if it didn't.
In short, just read it. Reading should be fun, and this one will have you snorting snot on to your kindle/analogue reading device to the utter delight of those on your morning commute.
Of course none of that would be particularly helpful if the plot didn't barrel you along like a you've been blown off your feet by a freakin' blunderbuss blast. Thankfully it does. Obviously. It would be weird to say that if it didn't.
In short, just read it. Reading should be fun, and this one will have you snorting snot on to your kindle/analogue reading device to the utter delight of those on your morning commute.
September 23, 2017
I have been searching for a book deserving of a search entitled "like flashman" for a number of years. I've tried many, but none have delivered tales of bravado, idiocy and historical information until Scoundrels. Both characters are engaging and hilariously un-P.C - perfect.
If there was one thing I would change - I would double the length of this book with more stories. I can't wait for volume two. I read this in 2 days, on day 2 I cancelled a date, cracked a decent bottle of 2015 Argentinian Malbec, and thoroughly enjoyed finishing reading a book that will be in my top two for 2017.
I can recommend Stewart Hennessey's Comrade Fox if anybody would like a similar type of adventure.
If there was one thing I would change - I would double the length of this book with more stories. I can't wait for volume two. I read this in 2 days, on day 2 I cancelled a date, cracked a decent bottle of 2015 Argentinian Malbec, and thoroughly enjoyed finishing reading a book that will be in my top two for 2017.
I can recommend Stewart Hennessey's Comrade Fox if anybody would like a similar type of adventure.
October 3, 2017
A hilarious parody of being British and terribly posh, from a time when political correctness was just a by-word for being a 'nambypamby'. From the diary entries of Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan comes a series of stories each more hilarious and daring than the last, tales which will make you cringe, guffaw with laughter and rue the disappearance of good tobacconists all on the same page.
Nothing is taboo in this irreverent celebration of that uniquely British body part the 'stiff upper lip'.
Take it as an antidote to modern life.
Nothing is taboo in this irreverent celebration of that uniquely British body part the 'stiff upper lip'.
Take it as an antidote to modern life.
January 14, 2018
I laughed all the way through at this. Very British sitcom classic type humour with lots of history in-jokes. I particularly liked the exotic named cigarette brands. I would have given it 5 stars except the gross out level the humour occasionally reaches will not be for everyone.
August 24, 2018
This book is best described as a hilarious absurdity or possibly the inverse of that. Set up as an epistolary memoir of two retired Majors Scoundrels and two lifelong major scoundrels, it goes one to tell tall tales of a British gentleman’s club extraordinaire and its two eminent members’ wild adventures in service of their country and their egos. This is a sort of book that might have easily gone too far down the farcical path, but instead it managed to tread the line of wacky and obscene, but oh so funny. Seriously funny. Laugh out loud funny. Very specific sort of funny, mind you, with heavy concentration of butt jokes, both as the main subject and with majors ending up being the butt of jokes. So not particularly mature, but it’s British, so it balanced out. This book covers two decades of Majors’ globetrotting undertakings from 1931 to 1951, featuring mainly their brave mad quests of WWII, but also from early childhoods, to meeting each other in school to trying to stay busy in the loopiest ways after the war. It’s…well, it’s a crazy book. It’s absolutely wackadoodledoo. Pure lunacy. But it’s so freaking entertaining, this insane romp down the well trodden historical paths of the last century by these comically revised James Bond like gentlemen. Possibly an acquired taste, particularly due to all the tasteless jokes, but those who enjoy a nicely roasted spoof should find this very amusing. The Majors are disreputable, louche, vainglorious rogues. Not the most heroic of characters, bickering to this day about events of their lives via email from their respective abodes where each of them have been remained for decades now. Is that any way to reward loyal spies? Well, with these guys all bets are off. But what a duo. Cinematically primed and ready for BBC. Thanks Netgalley.
December 6, 2018
I'm not saying this kind of humor could not work for anybody, but it's just not for me. I don't want to dash other people's hopes, but I've personally had enough of authors who always joke about sex, drugs, physical weaknesses and so on, in a very silly way, using loads of violence and vulgarities. Deaths and maladies are not fun, in my humble opinion.
So that's all. I actually had some fun reading some parts, such as the panda's one, but not enough to enjoy the other scenes, which sometimes are even disgusting.
Anyway, thank you NetGalley and Black Door Press for giving me a free copy of the ebook.
So that's all. I actually had some fun reading some parts, such as the panda's one, but not enough to enjoy the other scenes, which sometimes are even disgusting.
Anyway, thank you NetGalley and Black Door Press for giving me a free copy of the ebook.
September 15, 2017
I can't remember the last time I read a book purely for entertainment, and without expecting some kind of meaningful insight into the human experience. But this book is pure comedy, with a narrative presented in the form of letters between the two protagonists, Cornwall and Trevelyan, who are members of an exclusive gentlemen's club. At first, the child-like insults and teasing between the two protagonists was slightly grating, but once I let my guard down, and accepted the characters for the caricatures they are, I loved this book and couldn't stop laughing.
I recently attended a talk by one of the authors, James Peak. He said that the two protagonists were created organically when he and co-author Duncan Crowe began emailing each other insults from the perspective of the two Majors. This has resulted in two well-developed and highly entertaining characters. The authors have brilliant imaginations, and I loved following the Majors on their hare-brained adventures around the world.
This book won't be for everyone - there are a few comical but sexually explicit scenes that might offend some readers - but if you love a good comedy duo and enjoy some light-hearted silliness, then you'll find this a clever and pleasurable read. Reading Scoundrels did make me wonder why comedy isn't a bigger part of the fiction landscape, when it's such a popular genre on TV. I hope this book signals a change in this trend and encourages publishers to give it a try. I'll definitely be reading volume two when it hits the shelves, and have already thought of a few friends and family members who would love this as a gift at Christmas.
I recently attended a talk by one of the authors, James Peak. He said that the two protagonists were created organically when he and co-author Duncan Crowe began emailing each other insults from the perspective of the two Majors. This has resulted in two well-developed and highly entertaining characters. The authors have brilliant imaginations, and I loved following the Majors on their hare-brained adventures around the world.
This book won't be for everyone - there are a few comical but sexually explicit scenes that might offend some readers - but if you love a good comedy duo and enjoy some light-hearted silliness, then you'll find this a clever and pleasurable read. Reading Scoundrels did make me wonder why comedy isn't a bigger part of the fiction landscape, when it's such a popular genre on TV. I hope this book signals a change in this trend and encourages publishers to give it a try. I'll definitely be reading volume two when it hits the shelves, and have already thought of a few friends and family members who would love this as a gift at Christmas.
November 2, 2018
I received a free copy of Scoundrels for a voluntary honest review. The outrageous exploits of Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan made reading this book a pleasure. I laughed out loud several times at the "frenemy" nonsense and one-upmanship in the letters exchanged between the men. I was in stitches when Cornwall received a parcel in the mail from Trevelyan with his long-lost watch only to find a female Cobra was included. Of course, this would not deter Cornwall from including the next portion of his memoir for Trevelyan's perusal. The Majors were written to be so incredibly over the top with an overinflated sense of self that you may hurt yourself from frequent eye-rolling.
If you enjoy vulgar humor, some of the WWII scenes in particular, then this book is for you.
If you enjoy vulgar humor, some of the WWII scenes in particular, then this book is for you.
June 4, 2018
There was a surprisingly prescient moment before I ever heard of 'Scoundrels'. About a week prior to picking it up, I'd posted at a forum I go to a topic called 'Funniest Novels'. I was looking for some suggestions for books that would legitimately make me laugh out loud. There are numerous titles out there that are mirthful, books that make you titter internally at the irony, wit or wordplay on offer, but I rarely find books that literally get me sniggering along with what I am reading. That was what I was after.
Scoundrels did just this.
Whilst it is not for the faint hearted in terms of content and some could dismiss specific moments as puerile, there is a wonderful intelligence that goes along with the shock and awe approach to comedy. Another review implied that this was Flashman meets the Mighty Boosh, an apt comparison in terms of wonderfully capturing the gung-ho spirit of the narrators, the unreliability of the stories being told, and the quirky escapades that the two men get themselves into. Even the narrative style is fun - the epistolary structure, with both men complaining about the chapters that come before them, adds a further layer of humour.
With Volume Two out soon, I look forward to further adventures from the Scoundrels. I'll be first in line to sign up when the time comes.
Scoundrels did just this.
Whilst it is not for the faint hearted in terms of content and some could dismiss specific moments as puerile, there is a wonderful intelligence that goes along with the shock and awe approach to comedy. Another review implied that this was Flashman meets the Mighty Boosh, an apt comparison in terms of wonderfully capturing the gung-ho spirit of the narrators, the unreliability of the stories being told, and the quirky escapades that the two men get themselves into. Even the narrative style is fun - the epistolary structure, with both men complaining about the chapters that come before them, adds a further layer of humour.
With Volume Two out soon, I look forward to further adventures from the Scoundrels. I'll be first in line to sign up when the time comes.
May 31, 2018
This book isn't my usual cup of tea but for 99p I couldn't resist. At first it literally made me laugh out loud but then as it got on it was more and more samey. Still quite amusing but like George RR Martin's nipples on a breastplate you can tell what is coming, like a blend of tobacco whipped up by Scoundrels tobacconist. That said even now I smile when I think of parts of the book, I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a smile and a good belly laugh.
I would look forward to a volume 2 in the future.
I would look forward to a volume 2 in the future.
February 25, 2018
Wildly over the top, pure fabrication and a large dollop of 'English nobility'. Perfectly blended to make it sound exactly how you expect 1950s english majors to recount their war stories.
Extremely funny, had me in laughing fits constantly and astoundingly dirty in all the right places.
I loved their tales from boarding school and their foray into Nazi Germany.
I'll hunt down a copy of Vol 2 like it was a randy panda.
Extremely funny, had me in laughing fits constantly and astoundingly dirty in all the right places.
I loved their tales from boarding school and their foray into Nazi Germany.
I'll hunt down a copy of Vol 2 like it was a randy panda.
February 19, 2018
Found this book from an advert in a magazine, I felt in the mood for a relaxed read and change.
Enjoyed how it is as if your reading letters between two people trying to write a book.
Loved the evolution of the two main writers and their amazing, grandiose adventures.
I look forward to the continuation of the double secret life.
P.S. I am not jealous of the perks their club membership gave them
Enjoyed how it is as if your reading letters between two people trying to write a book.
Loved the evolution of the two main writers and their amazing, grandiose adventures.
I look forward to the continuation of the double secret life.
P.S. I am not jealous of the perks their club membership gave them
February 25, 2018
This book is perfect for anyone who has a dirty sense of humour.
The adventures that the Scoundrels get up to are legendary, I especially enjoyed the panda hunting and the attempt on Everest.
Ridiculous at times, these two men lead lives even James Bond would envy.
Just a really good book. Cannot wait for Volume 2!
The adventures that the Scoundrels get up to are legendary, I especially enjoyed the panda hunting and the attempt on Everest.
Ridiculous at times, these two men lead lives even James Bond would envy.
Just a really good book. Cannot wait for Volume 2!
May 1, 2018
I can't recommend this enough! By the time I was three pages in I'd already laughed out loud three times. It's one of the funniest books I've read in a long time, great fun and so perfectly done. I can't wait for volume two.
February 22, 2018
Very daft
Very funny and well work the effusive comments on their advert
Loved this roller coaster ride of total silliness
Can't wait for volume 2
Very funny and well work the effusive comments on their advert
Loved this roller coaster ride of total silliness
Can't wait for volume 2
March 25, 2019
Scoundrels was so hilariously unique and funny, I looked at the Amazon page to see what the advance reviews were. I don’t read the reviews of other readers until I write mine. Sometimes it is interesting to see how other reader reviews refute or support the early or promotional reviews. Because I looked at the Amazon page after reading 50% of the novel, I had a good idea of what I would agree with. There were some descriptions so accurate I wanted to note them in my post. Not a fan of posts that only copy other posts, I will confine my copying only to the following comment from the novel’s Amazon page.
“Historically accurate, morally questionable and absolutely true, SCOUNDRELS is one part Flashman to two parts Mordecai Trilogy stirred vigorously and dashed in the face of Ian Fleming. It will leave you with a nasty taste in your mouth, and horribly hungover.”
A potential reader of Scoundrels will then find a long list of praises from various sources but as I looked through them it only took two words to know this novel would impress me. Monty Python. There is a definite connection to Monty Python between this novel and the novel’s creators, contributors, and publishers, but I will leave those connections for the reader to discover.
The title page of the Kindle edition occupies three Kindle pages. The title is Scoundrels, this is followed by Volume I, then 1931-1951, then by Major Victor Cornwall and Major St. John Trevelyan. Further information is that this work was edited by Duncan Crowe and James Peak. These last two may have been the “Scoundrels.” This novel is presented in a semi-epistolary style. “Scoundrels” can be a slang term for a spy. It can be a name for a Gentlemen’s Club, as is claimed in this novel. It can be the name of a secret society or fraternity such as the one portrayed in a contemporary film “Skulls.” Or it can be all of the above.
Note that the “narrators” are both Majors. The title tells the reader that all the action has occurred several years before. The two Majors have long since retired. A normal follow-up to an intelligence career is that operatives will not be allowed to talk of their exploits for a few decades following retirement. Time has passed and at least one of the two Scoundrels has decided to write an account of their exploits. He feels honor-bound to warn the other of his intentions. The result is that both Majors will write of certain exploits but from a different perspective of who contributed the most to mission success. As each completes a chapter, the author will send it to his rival with an explanatory letter explaining where the first author was wrong. This can be difficult for the reader to follow. The letter writer will occasionally not sign his name. Both writers will address each other as “Major.” In the incident accounts, the narrator of an account will refer to the other as Victor or Cornwall or Trevelyan or a cute contrived name to indicate the lower status of the other. Just a warning to note that there might be a lot of flipping back to find out who is doing what to whom unless you read the entire novel in one session.
It is difficult to read this novel in one session because the humor is intense. Think about your favorite comedies that you look at again and again and find new things each time. That is what happens with this novel. If you don’t read it from front to back all at once, when you return after an interrupted session, you may discover an unfamiliar novel and will spend time retracing your reading steps, discovering new directions each time. I read it in several sessions which meant I spent three times the time I usually spend on a novel because it felt as if I had read three novels.
The Table of Contents alone is captivating and worth occasional revisits. “Fuffy, Dear Fuffy” is very dark, laughing-out-loud funny, and will destroy the Kite industry as a hobby source. “Das Scheisseberg” is a chapter for whom those conversant with the German language might want to skip. “Klunghammered” has scenes that a reader might want to “unsee.” Too late. “Dead Man in a Coffin” give the reader a new appreciation for dummies. “The Tackle Chappie” is just painful, at least for males. Females might see it as justifiable revenge for male hubris.
I cannot say enough good things about this novel. It is five Amazon stars plus and a good thing is that there is a Volume II, Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp. I won’t read it next because I find humor this intense is best taken in small doses. If there is a negative, it might be in the use of language. These two scoundrels pull no punches with direct language. In a tradition that goes with the years cited in the title, the two Majors use a lot of euphemisms which are, in fact, more salacious than if more modern slang were used. I found the language use revealing from a cultural perspective. I learned many new ways to say naughty things. This is not a trigger warning, just a note.
“Historically accurate, morally questionable and absolutely true, SCOUNDRELS is one part Flashman to two parts Mordecai Trilogy stirred vigorously and dashed in the face of Ian Fleming. It will leave you with a nasty taste in your mouth, and horribly hungover.”
A potential reader of Scoundrels will then find a long list of praises from various sources but as I looked through them it only took two words to know this novel would impress me. Monty Python. There is a definite connection to Monty Python between this novel and the novel’s creators, contributors, and publishers, but I will leave those connections for the reader to discover.
The title page of the Kindle edition occupies three Kindle pages. The title is Scoundrels, this is followed by Volume I, then 1931-1951, then by Major Victor Cornwall and Major St. John Trevelyan. Further information is that this work was edited by Duncan Crowe and James Peak. These last two may have been the “Scoundrels.” This novel is presented in a semi-epistolary style. “Scoundrels” can be a slang term for a spy. It can be a name for a Gentlemen’s Club, as is claimed in this novel. It can be the name of a secret society or fraternity such as the one portrayed in a contemporary film “Skulls.” Or it can be all of the above.
Note that the “narrators” are both Majors. The title tells the reader that all the action has occurred several years before. The two Majors have long since retired. A normal follow-up to an intelligence career is that operatives will not be allowed to talk of their exploits for a few decades following retirement. Time has passed and at least one of the two Scoundrels has decided to write an account of their exploits. He feels honor-bound to warn the other of his intentions. The result is that both Majors will write of certain exploits but from a different perspective of who contributed the most to mission success. As each completes a chapter, the author will send it to his rival with an explanatory letter explaining where the first author was wrong. This can be difficult for the reader to follow. The letter writer will occasionally not sign his name. Both writers will address each other as “Major.” In the incident accounts, the narrator of an account will refer to the other as Victor or Cornwall or Trevelyan or a cute contrived name to indicate the lower status of the other. Just a warning to note that there might be a lot of flipping back to find out who is doing what to whom unless you read the entire novel in one session.
It is difficult to read this novel in one session because the humor is intense. Think about your favorite comedies that you look at again and again and find new things each time. That is what happens with this novel. If you don’t read it from front to back all at once, when you return after an interrupted session, you may discover an unfamiliar novel and will spend time retracing your reading steps, discovering new directions each time. I read it in several sessions which meant I spent three times the time I usually spend on a novel because it felt as if I had read three novels.
The Table of Contents alone is captivating and worth occasional revisits. “Fuffy, Dear Fuffy” is very dark, laughing-out-loud funny, and will destroy the Kite industry as a hobby source. “Das Scheisseberg” is a chapter for whom those conversant with the German language might want to skip. “Klunghammered” has scenes that a reader might want to “unsee.” Too late. “Dead Man in a Coffin” give the reader a new appreciation for dummies. “The Tackle Chappie” is just painful, at least for males. Females might see it as justifiable revenge for male hubris.
I cannot say enough good things about this novel. It is five Amazon stars plus and a good thing is that there is a Volume II, Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp. I won’t read it next because I find humor this intense is best taken in small doses. If there is a negative, it might be in the use of language. These two scoundrels pull no punches with direct language. In a tradition that goes with the years cited in the title, the two Majors use a lot of euphemisms which are, in fact, more salacious than if more modern slang were used. I found the language use revealing from a cultural perspective. I learned many new ways to say naughty things. This is not a trigger warning, just a note.
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