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The 7.52 to London Bridge
A mallard ate my mother! and other stories. From Ghosts to the Galapagos; from Rocks to Rockets; and from Space to 'Spaced out'. 14 enjoyable and entertaining true tales of adventure, haunted houses, mischief, the supernatural, comic mayhem, hilarity, and even more mischief before CCTV came along and spoilt everything. Our author is in the guise of a train commuter trying to make good use of the otherwise dead time to study for a distance learning science degree. Instead, the nightmare of commuting coupled with the misery of travelling with some of his fellow passengers cause him to reflect upon a life filled with mirth, mystery and sheer madness. You don't need to be a commuter to enjoy these bite-sized tales that will make you laugh, wonder and reflect - and you may even learn some new science!
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B00HWVR7G0 here.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B00HWVR7G0 here.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2014
About the author
Julian Kirkman-Page
9 books2 followersSeven years ago I decided to use the time wasted commuting each day, and unlike the other nodding donkeys, to study for an Open University science degree. Two year ago I achieved my aim. Not long afterwards the university approached me and asked if I would consider trying my hand at being a secondary school science teacher. For a person who was expelled from school with no qualifications to believe such a change was possible was a significant leap, but I accepted the challenge and found teaching to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. My book is a story of the nightmare experience of trying to study whilst commuting coupled with 14 true tales of mystery and adventure I have experienced along the way in life. There are a lot more to be told!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 28, 2014
This collection of short stories is tied together with as being told from the unique point of view of a seasoned train commuter was a joy to read! Wonderful character descriptions and the author often had me giggling and laughing out loud through the tales of mischievousness and his own humorous thoughts! Would definitely recommend as it was an entertaining quick read filled with laughs and wonderful tidbits of travel and science!
August 20, 2014
Great book; some of the stories are unbelievable but they are true! A good enjoyable light amusing read and reflective of the author's own character! Looking forward to the next book already
Richard
Richard
August 22, 2014
If you're a commuter doing the daily grind, if you love trains, travelling, science or funny stories (or all of the above!) then you should appreciate this book. It's part memoir, part observational comedy and even partly an introduction to science, written in a humorous style that reminded me of Gerard Durrell's My Family and Other Animals, with descriptions that in my opinion evoke Roald Dahl's Boy and Going Solo.
Julian's encounters with his fellow commuters start off each chapter, which lead into stories about his family antics from a young child up until the present day, including a spell in the army, travelling through Mozambique during the Civil War, and life in the London Insurance market. They are all so well told and I laughed out loud during almost every chapter. His love and study of science is a thread throughout but never boring and he's able to convey it in such a way as you'd wish your teachers had done.
The general theme of the book is that of journeys. Each chapter is actually headed with a train "journey" and every story encapsulates some aspect of travelling (not always by train) with a nostalgic sense of lost glamour and innocence. One of my favourite stories is that of Julian and his brother visiting the old steam engine sheds in Leicester on Christmas morning in the early 60's; and being allowed to enter the magical den of the engine driver in his cab. I'm sure train enthusiasts would love some of the finer details.
Altogether an excellent, funny and at times very moving read.
Julian's encounters with his fellow commuters start off each chapter, which lead into stories about his family antics from a young child up until the present day, including a spell in the army, travelling through Mozambique during the Civil War, and life in the London Insurance market. They are all so well told and I laughed out loud during almost every chapter. His love and study of science is a thread throughout but never boring and he's able to convey it in such a way as you'd wish your teachers had done.
The general theme of the book is that of journeys. Each chapter is actually headed with a train "journey" and every story encapsulates some aspect of travelling (not always by train) with a nostalgic sense of lost glamour and innocence. One of my favourite stories is that of Julian and his brother visiting the old steam engine sheds in Leicester on Christmas morning in the early 60's; and being allowed to enter the magical den of the engine driver in his cab. I'm sure train enthusiasts would love some of the finer details.
Altogether an excellent, funny and at times very moving read.
February 9, 2015
This is a book with balls. A thoroughly entertaining romp and something you can pick up, put down, pick up again and totally treasure. It is a series of short stories, intermingled with the author’s experience of commuting and we’ve all been there! This is a book one can easily relate to if familiar with English train journeys. From the antics of the buffet carriage, to the annoying commuter who won’t settle down. The author describes his fellow passengers in a manner which is true to life and at times, hilarious. But just as you settle down to each journey, the author then takes you on a mind walk with a host of entertaining anecdotes.
Each story is different; moments of nostalgia which tug the heart strings. There are heartwarming childhood memories - mixed in with some hilarious childhood japes (not to mention a few adult ones!) and some are even a little spooky. I enjoyed the tales of holidays and travel, including trips to far-flung places such as Africa (I especially liked the one about the rhinoceros) but it’s not just the stories - it’s the way the author tells them; the rich detail, the dry wit and naughty humour which at times, had me in stitches. Very well done.
Each story is different; moments of nostalgia which tug the heart strings. There are heartwarming childhood memories - mixed in with some hilarious childhood japes (not to mention a few adult ones!) and some are even a little spooky. I enjoyed the tales of holidays and travel, including trips to far-flung places such as Africa (I especially liked the one about the rhinoceros) but it’s not just the stories - it’s the way the author tells them; the rich detail, the dry wit and naughty humour which at times, had me in stitches. Very well done.
June 1, 2014
Delightful
This book was really good fun and very enjoyable. The author has magically mixed hilarious stories of his past life with interesting science and his character descriptions are simply hysterical.
Very difficult to put down and highly recommended
This book was really good fun and very enjoyable. The author has magically mixed hilarious stories of his past life with interesting science and his character descriptions are simply hysterical.
Very difficult to put down and highly recommended
October 2, 2014
Yes, a very easy read. In some parts very, very funny. Some of it is serious, some of it I would like to say - I think you need to have a discussion on this that would give a different perspective than the ones that you are pushing out. All in all a fun light read.
March 23, 2015
This book of biographical short stories is laugh out loud funny for most of the time and spine chilling at others. A rare feat. The writer has a wickedly dry turn of phrase and his descriptions of his fellow commuters will have you rolling in the aisles (if you happen to be on a train...)
December 23, 2015
A joy to read. I laughed out load many times and felt the authors sorrow on occasion. A true life compilation of adventure.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews