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Six Foot Six
A funny and heart-warming novella by the internationally bestselling author of My Name is Leon
80 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
December 26, 2018
This novella is both heartwarming and funny. This quick read worked as a short story but I do think that there is scope to make this into a book in the future. Timothy has some kind of learning disability. He ends up giving Charlie, who's a builder, a hand when his favourite bus does not turn up. With Timothy being six foot six that is a great asset to Charlie. They end up in a pub and collecting money off a local thug.
This story focuses on relationships, Charlie and Timothy's to be precise. Charlie has the patience to deal with Timothy's persistent questions and difficulties. They are different to each other in many ways. The story starts off quite slow but thereafter I was hooked.
This story focuses on relationships, Charlie and Timothy's to be precise. Charlie has the patience to deal with Timothy's persistent questions and difficulties. They are different to each other in many ways. The story starts off quite slow but thereafter I was hooked.
March 25, 2021
TW: references of domestic abuse and child abuse resulting in severe life long injuries ⚠️
This book was an easy, quick read that tugged on my heart strings. The storyline is based on Timothy Flowers as he goes about his day on his 21st birthday. However when he is the midst of his day he meets Charlie who is a builder and offers him a days work that he excitedly accepts as he's never had a job. And as his day goes on it shows him that sometimes the people we meet can change our lives forever. I loved Timothy's character so much, I just wanted to protect him and show him the same love he shows everybody else. He sees the good in every day and everyone. However when he was young he suffered a head injury from his abusive father that left him in hospital for 2 years and he had to learn to do everything again and even though it doesn't explicitly say in the book, I believe that due to this head injury it left him with the mind of a young child. Unfortunately this can lead to people using him without his full understanding which is what happens in the relationship between him and Charlie. Also, as you may have guessed from the title he is six foot six and a true gentle giant but Charlie uses his size and brute strength for his own gains with no regard for how it will affect Timothy and that truly upset me because as I mentioned I just wanted to protect him. Overall, this is a good, easy read but I did drop it down a few stars because I felt the ending was very abrupt and left you with a lot of questions. And I generally didn't like how Timothy's good nature and mental difficulties were used against him for other people's gains. However, if you are looking for a good, quick read to get you out of a slump or just for a easy read then this is a good choice.
This book was an easy, quick read that tugged on my heart strings. The storyline is based on Timothy Flowers as he goes about his day on his 21st birthday. However when he is the midst of his day he meets Charlie who is a builder and offers him a days work that he excitedly accepts as he's never had a job. And as his day goes on it shows him that sometimes the people we meet can change our lives forever. I loved Timothy's character so much, I just wanted to protect him and show him the same love he shows everybody else. He sees the good in every day and everyone. However when he was young he suffered a head injury from his abusive father that left him in hospital for 2 years and he had to learn to do everything again and even though it doesn't explicitly say in the book, I believe that due to this head injury it left him with the mind of a young child. Unfortunately this can lead to people using him without his full understanding which is what happens in the relationship between him and Charlie. Also, as you may have guessed from the title he is six foot six and a true gentle giant but Charlie uses his size and brute strength for his own gains with no regard for how it will affect Timothy and that truly upset me because as I mentioned I just wanted to protect him. Overall, this is a good, easy read but I did drop it down a few stars because I felt the ending was very abrupt and left you with a lot of questions. And I generally didn't like how Timothy's good nature and mental difficulties were used against him for other people's gains. However, if you are looking for a good, quick read to get you out of a slump or just for a easy read then this is a good choice.
April 12, 2018
The book delivers on its promise of Penguin’s Short ebook series to be “perfect for regular readers wanting a fast and satisfying read but they are also ideal for adults who are discovering reading for pleasure for the first time.” But I think it does a better jib for the second group. The more serious readers will find it thin. It does develop a potentially interesting stroyline but the story and character development falls short.
August 22, 2022
I like that this story tries to tackle some important themes with decent characters in a sort of Forrest Gump-kind of way. But the writing style makes it a bit of a chore to read to be honest.
May 7, 2018
I’m really enjoying my Quick Reads journey. This little story is well written and I enjoyed Timothy’s narrative. I will definitely be checking out more of Kit de Waal’s work, especially because I loved the writing style which is easy to follow and holds your attention well.
December 20, 2018
"Six Foot Six" is a Penguin quick read book brilliantly written by Kit De Waal. The story is about twenty one year old, six foot six, Timothy Flowers, who over the course of a day, life changes for him forever. Befriending builder Charlie, he is given a job as Charlie is desperate for help. However, when they have to collect money from a local thug, things don't go exactly to plan.
I loved this story, which I read over a couple of hours, it was fun and kept my attention from the very first page. I adored Timothy and Charlie, they were great characters and would love to read about them in a full length novel!
Highly recommend this and the quick read books in general, you get a fabulously condensed story that's quick to read and leaves you with a wonderful feel good feeling.
5 stars
I loved this story, which I read over a couple of hours, it was fun and kept my attention from the very first page. I adored Timothy and Charlie, they were great characters and would love to read about them in a full length novel!
Highly recommend this and the quick read books in general, you get a fabulously condensed story that's quick to read and leaves you with a wonderful feel good feeling.
5 stars
May 16, 2018
Wonderful heart-warming story that is part of the Quick Read series. I love the idea of these short stories for getting adults started or back into reading. Or simply great for a quick read! I'll definitely be looking for more, both from this range and Kit De Waal.
January 15, 2020
Another Quick Read. Strange story which had little point.
June 23, 2020
Loved it! Very Forrest Gump-like
So heart warming but sad in some parts.
So heart warming but sad in some parts.
July 17, 2023
It has been a long time since i read something in one day. Even other Quick Reads books take me two or three days. This one flowed so smoothly; the characters were multi-dimensional and felt Real
February 2, 2018
I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in reading some of these ‘Quick Read’ books which are all published today (yay, happy pub day everyone!) Quick Reads states that it’s ideal for busy people who may want to up their reading game in the New Year (definitely me) and also for less confident adult readers. Which I think is a fab idea. We often take our reading abilities for granted so it’s fantastic that Quick Reads have considered everyone for their market. Anyway, I was sent a couple of their Quick Reads (thank you!) and to celebrate pub day, I’ll be reviewing my first one today and I also have a giveaway for you to win your own copy of the book!
Six Foot Six instantly piqued my interest because it sounded like something a bit different and I’m always open to trying something a bit different and in this instance, that really worked for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and although I could certainly had read a full-length novel of this story, it worked absolutely perfectly as a short story. Six Foot Six is about Timothy Flowers who I gather has some form of learning disability who ends up meeting Charlie, who’s a builder, one day whilst he’s waiting for his favourite bus. When the bus doesn’t arrive, Timothy finds himself helping Charlie with his building work – which he’s under a lot of pressure to get finished. Being six foot six, Timothy turns out to be a massive (literally) help and when simple building work turns into drinking in a bar and collecting money off of a local thug, Timothy’s life certainly takes a dramatic turn that day.
This was a really sweet read. And really focuses on relationships – especially unexpected friendships – like the one between Charlie and Timothy. I really liked Charlie because despite Timothy’s questions and difficulties, Charlie doesn’t treat him any differently. He respects his needs (like how Timothy doesn’t like waiting in the car on his own in the dark so Charlie tells him to come with him) and helps him grow in a weird, unintentional way. They are literally chalk and cheese but you know what they say, opposites attract. It was a funny little storyline with vibrant characters and a surprising lot of insight and emotion crammed into such a short book. The people behind quick reads were absolutely right; first of all this really helped in my “read more” mission for 2018 as it only took 2 days to read (but you could easily read it in one sitting if you had the time) and it was such an incredibly easy read that it would certainly cater to different reading abilities.
You can find all my book reviews here: http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Six Foot Six instantly piqued my interest because it sounded like something a bit different and I’m always open to trying something a bit different and in this instance, that really worked for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and although I could certainly had read a full-length novel of this story, it worked absolutely perfectly as a short story. Six Foot Six is about Timothy Flowers who I gather has some form of learning disability who ends up meeting Charlie, who’s a builder, one day whilst he’s waiting for his favourite bus. When the bus doesn’t arrive, Timothy finds himself helping Charlie with his building work – which he’s under a lot of pressure to get finished. Being six foot six, Timothy turns out to be a massive (literally) help and when simple building work turns into drinking in a bar and collecting money off of a local thug, Timothy’s life certainly takes a dramatic turn that day.
This was a really sweet read. And really focuses on relationships – especially unexpected friendships – like the one between Charlie and Timothy. I really liked Charlie because despite Timothy’s questions and difficulties, Charlie doesn’t treat him any differently. He respects his needs (like how Timothy doesn’t like waiting in the car on his own in the dark so Charlie tells him to come with him) and helps him grow in a weird, unintentional way. They are literally chalk and cheese but you know what they say, opposites attract. It was a funny little storyline with vibrant characters and a surprising lot of insight and emotion crammed into such a short book. The people behind quick reads were absolutely right; first of all this really helped in my “read more” mission for 2018 as it only took 2 days to read (but you could easily read it in one sitting if you had the time) and it was such an incredibly easy read that it would certainly cater to different reading abilities.
You can find all my book reviews here: http://www.jennyinneverland.com
August 28, 2020
For a Quick Read book, Six Foot Six certainly went places. Among the topics covered are mental health, buses, manual labour, money troubles, heartbreak and violent machismo.
Timothy is a very big lad living a simple life till a silver-tongued builder named Charlie asks for his help one day. This chance encounter inevitably brings Timothy out of his shell and softens Charlie's desperate manner.
In just under seventy pages, de Waal takes us through a coming-of-age journey at breakneck speed. Nevertheless it doesn't feel at all rushed nor does it miss any expected story beats. Though there is some swearing and bloodshed, this book is essentially an uplifting tale of two different worlds colliding. That being said I would have liked Charlie to have experienced more of Timothy's day-to-day life rather than vice versa. The hard-edged world of a working-class labourer barely scraping by isn't really my cup of builder's tea.
Regardless Six Foot Six is a great Quick Read and well worth picking up no matter how confident a reader you may be. I recommend it to fans of de Waal's other work and stories about big lads with even bigger hearts.
Timothy is a very big lad living a simple life till a silver-tongued builder named Charlie asks for his help one day. This chance encounter inevitably brings Timothy out of his shell and softens Charlie's desperate manner.
In just under seventy pages, de Waal takes us through a coming-of-age journey at breakneck speed. Nevertheless it doesn't feel at all rushed nor does it miss any expected story beats. Though there is some swearing and bloodshed, this book is essentially an uplifting tale of two different worlds colliding. That being said I would have liked Charlie to have experienced more of Timothy's day-to-day life rather than vice versa. The hard-edged world of a working-class labourer barely scraping by isn't really my cup of builder's tea.
Regardless Six Foot Six is a great Quick Read and well worth picking up no matter how confident a reader you may be. I recommend it to fans of de Waal's other work and stories about big lads with even bigger hearts.
February 10, 2018
A super novella: short, sweet, and easy to read. Six Foot Six follows Timothy Flowers on the day of his twenty-first birthday - he breaks with carefully established routine, meets new people, and gets a new job. As Timothy escapes routine, he reveals why it became nescessary in the first place with a devastating revelation. But, despite dealing with difficult themes, this book is heartwarming and funny in a way that I am coming to recognise as characteristic of Kit de Waal's style. The narrative voice, characterisation, and plot are all excellent. My only criticism is that it was a little slow to take off, but once I was hooked it was impossible to put this book down. Would especially recommend it to fans of short stories, or anyone looking to get out of a reading slump.
May 22, 2021
A modern day version of the characters from “Of mice and men”. This is all about the wonderful characterisation and telling a story that is both tough and gentle in its scope. Timothy flowers has the size and strength of a giant but the mind of a little boy. It soon becomes clear how he became brain damaged and its heart breaking.
Charlie is in a difficult spot and takes advantage of Timothy using his size for both menial labour and for intimidation. However after spending the day with Timothy a kind of friendship develops and like Charlie you can’t help but fall under the spell of Timothy’s naive but wonderful personality.
A terrific short story that would turn well into a full blown book.
Charlie is in a difficult spot and takes advantage of Timothy using his size for both menial labour and for intimidation. However after spending the day with Timothy a kind of friendship develops and like Charlie you can’t help but fall under the spell of Timothy’s naive but wonderful personality.
A terrific short story that would turn well into a full blown book.
May 10, 2021
A lovely little short story that follows Timothy Flowers who turns 21 on the day this is set on. Timothy is minding his own business when a man, Charlie, starts to talk to him and offers him a day’s paid work. Timothy is unsure but decides to help Charlie out.
What follows is a story about their day and makes you want to read more when it’s finished. It was heartwarming and although Timothy is different from most normal 21 year olds, Charlie doesn’t treat him that way at all.
I would definitely recommend it! I just wish it was a little longer!
What follows is a story about their day and makes you want to read more when it’s finished. It was heartwarming and although Timothy is different from most normal 21 year olds, Charlie doesn’t treat him that way at all.
I would definitely recommend it! I just wish it was a little longer!
January 24, 2024
Meh. I did not enjoy the way I felt like the brain damaged kid. I would have connected much more if it didn't feel like the narrator was neurotypical as well, but to each their own - the main character is not the speaker at least it is not specified, but at the same time many people to refer to themselves in the 3rd person, so idk. But it apart from the horrendous writing the story was very heart-felt.
May 14, 2022
Ten points to Charlie, top fella!
January 6, 2023
A sweet, quick read. I wasn't sure I liked it at first but it definitely grew on me.
January 26, 2023
Nice little read.
October 16, 2019
Far less substance than other books in the Quick Reads series which I have read.
A disappointing Quick Read and compared to other books in the series which have managed to add a little substance, Six Foot Six is pretty slight (80 pages of big text) and simplistic. At times mildly amusing, the story struggled to hold my attention largely because there is very little going on and the story is told in such an oversimplified manner.
A disappointing Quick Read and compared to other books in the series which have managed to add a little substance, Six Foot Six is pretty slight (80 pages of big text) and simplistic. At times mildly amusing, the story struggled to hold my attention largely because there is very little going on and the story is told in such an oversimplified manner.
Read
November 24, 2023I wasn't expecting this to be sweet but it very much is.
November 22, 2018
This heart-warming novella takes place over the course of one eventful day. Timothy Flowers is waiting for the bus when he meets Charlie who needs help with some building work. A brief but beautifully-crafted story with a satisfying sense of resolution.
December 11, 2021
A very moving short tale where what's left unsaid is as moving as the narrative. Even in novella format, Kit de Waal shines at creating characters who you come to love and root for.
October 31, 2021
What a lovely heart warming story. If you want a quick read that warms your cockles give this a go.
It is Timothy’s 21st birthday, he is super excited as he’s hoping to see a special bus pass his street.
Timothy meets Charlie the skint, Irish builder who is desperate for someone to labour for him. Timothy fits the bill perfectly and goes on to have quite the adventure with Charlie and has some fun escapades and some sad moments too.
It is Timothy’s 21st birthday, he is super excited as he’s hoping to see a special bus pass his street.
Timothy meets Charlie the skint, Irish builder who is desperate for someone to labour for him. Timothy fits the bill perfectly and goes on to have quite the adventure with Charlie and has some fun escapades and some sad moments too.
June 18, 2018
A good, easy, one sitting read.
April 13, 2018
Enjoyable
April 16, 2018
Light hearted tale about a 6 foot 6 tall lad who is a bit slow, it is his 21st birthday and he has an adventure while waiting for the bus..........
October 10, 2018
Nice little short story
September 14, 2021
📖 This is a really cute little book. A fun and easy read.
✍️Timothy flowers is six feet six inches tall. The story follows Timothy as he goes about his day on his 21st birthday. However, when he is in the midst of his day he meets Charlie who is a builder and offers him a day’s work. It becomes clear that Timothy has some kind of learning disability and is more childlike than an adult. In many ways, Charlie takes advantage of Timothy using his size for both menial labour and for a bit of intimidation. Yet the friendship between the two flourishes into a heart-warming tale.
📖 I liked this book. It is part of the “quick reads” collection which I like to intersperse between larger novels. The idea of this collection is exactly as it says on the tin (or should that be cover), a shorter than a normal book by world-leading authors (less than 100 pages). One of the things I quite like about these books is that they force the authors to cut out a lot of the waffle that sometimes goes on in books. This keeps the stories quite fast-paced with a lot happening in less time.
🗣 I often think it’s useful to see an extract of a book to get an idea of the writing style. Here is a brief extract so that you can see a sample of the writing yourself:
👓 This book covers some really complex issues (disability, vulnerability, domestic abuse) but the author handles them in a subtle, gentle way. I became invested in Timothy (and Charlie) and I really wanted the day to go well.
☠️ Any Negatives: Not a negative as such, and I have never read Kit De Waal’s work before so this may already exist, but I would love to see this story in a longer works or a sequel.
💭 Overall View: It is well worth the £1 cover price to read this. An unexpected but pleasant little tale. Another “quick reads” win which I would highly recommend it to any (mature) reader.
👍 Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
IF YOU WISH TO SEE MORE OF MY BOOK REVIEWS PLEASE VISIT:
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✍️Timothy flowers is six feet six inches tall. The story follows Timothy as he goes about his day on his 21st birthday. However, when he is in the midst of his day he meets Charlie who is a builder and offers him a day’s work. It becomes clear that Timothy has some kind of learning disability and is more childlike than an adult. In many ways, Charlie takes advantage of Timothy using his size for both menial labour and for a bit of intimidation. Yet the friendship between the two flourishes into a heart-warming tale.
📖 I liked this book. It is part of the “quick reads” collection which I like to intersperse between larger novels. The idea of this collection is exactly as it says on the tin (or should that be cover), a shorter than a normal book by world-leading authors (less than 100 pages). One of the things I quite like about these books is that they force the authors to cut out a lot of the waffle that sometimes goes on in books. This keeps the stories quite fast-paced with a lot happening in less time.
🗣 I often think it’s useful to see an extract of a book to get an idea of the writing style. Here is a brief extract so that you can see a sample of the writing yourself:
Charlie parks outside the house with the basement and tells Timothy to get out.
‘I’ll be back in a bit. You just carry on.’
Timothy doesn’t move.
‘What you waiting for?’ Same job as before. Go on.
‘I don’t want to go down on my own.’ Timothy is thinking of the broken room and the Brute hiding in the corner.
Charlie looks up at the ceiling of his van and shakes his head. ‘Christ. Come one then. But I’m not paying you to be sitting on your arse all bloody day.’ He starts the engine and drives off. ‘When we get back, you’ll have to work twice as hard and twice as quic. Got it?’
👓 This book covers some really complex issues (disability, vulnerability, domestic abuse) but the author handles them in a subtle, gentle way. I became invested in Timothy (and Charlie) and I really wanted the day to go well.
☠️ Any Negatives: Not a negative as such, and I have never read Kit De Waal’s work before so this may already exist, but I would love to see this story in a longer works or a sequel.
💭 Overall View: It is well worth the £1 cover price to read this. An unexpected but pleasant little tale. Another “quick reads” win which I would highly recommend it to any (mature) reader.
👍 Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
IF YOU WISH TO SEE MORE OF MY BOOK REVIEWS PLEASE VISIT:
BLOG: HTTPS://NEW2WRITING.WORDPRESS.COM/
FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KLCALEY/
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/KL.CALEY/
March 26, 2021
Timothy Flowers is a neuro diverse man who on his 21st birthday waiting for the Enviro 400 City Bus meets Charlie and his life is changed forever.
This book covers some really complex issues in such a subtle way. Two men who couldn't be any different, young Charlie known nothing other than living with his mum by a particular routine, an abusive father and has been shielded from all things potentially bad or dangerous in the world. Charlie, a working class man finds himself stuck in a pickle renovating a house and owing some money.
Charlie approaches Timothy because he is a six foot six tall 'longfella' and needs a hand. Quickly realising Timothy's process, Charlie makes an effort to cut back swearing, teach Timothy some skills and eventually make his 21st birthday something to remember.
I really loved how the author navigated the characters, showing each character something about themselves they didn't know.
Although it was a little more dangerous than planned, Timothy had some unexpected talents, he ended up unknowingly helping Charlie out of his dilemmas and as the book went on Charlie supports Timothy in ways he wont ever know.
A charming, funny, nail biting and honestly a little heart warming book. I love seeing men opening up and accepting each other and forming unlikely bonds. A really quick read and a very happy Ebs.
This book covers some really complex issues in such a subtle way. Two men who couldn't be any different, young Charlie known nothing other than living with his mum by a particular routine, an abusive father and has been shielded from all things potentially bad or dangerous in the world. Charlie, a working class man finds himself stuck in a pickle renovating a house and owing some money.
Charlie approaches Timothy because he is a six foot six tall 'longfella' and needs a hand. Quickly realising Timothy's process, Charlie makes an effort to cut back swearing, teach Timothy some skills and eventually make his 21st birthday something to remember.
I really loved how the author navigated the characters, showing each character something about themselves they didn't know.
Although it was a little more dangerous than planned, Timothy had some unexpected talents, he ended up unknowingly helping Charlie out of his dilemmas and as the book went on Charlie supports Timothy in ways he wont ever know.
A charming, funny, nail biting and honestly a little heart warming book. I love seeing men opening up and accepting each other and forming unlikely bonds. A really quick read and a very happy Ebs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews