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Mallard the Quack
British author Adam Nicke - a writer more associated with Dark Romanticism and Gothic literature - has here taken the insanity of Donald Trump’s presidency and transformed it into an absurd and chaotic comic romp through the world of con artists and quackery in 18th century Wales.
Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of body-snatchers, fairground sideshows, medieval superstitions, quack doctors … and haunted furniture!
Join three conmen posing as men of science in their quest for cash at any cost - hampered only by their ignorance, incompetence, arrogance, deceit, desperate greed, and ill-conceived plans.
Featuring charlatan-in-chief ‘Doctor’ Ronald Stumpf.
Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of body-snatchers, fairground sideshows, medieval superstitions, quack doctors … and haunted furniture!
Join three conmen posing as men of science in their quest for cash at any cost - hampered only by their ignorance, incompetence, arrogance, deceit, desperate greed, and ill-conceived plans.
Featuring charlatan-in-chief ‘Doctor’ Ronald Stumpf.
Paperback
Published May 9, 2020
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About the author
Adam Nicke
5 books71 followersAdam Nicke was born and raised in South Wales and has resided in the small border town of Chepstow since he was a teenager.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
"I love this word decadence, all shimmering in purple and gold. It suggests the subtle thoughts of ultimate civilization, a high literary culture, a soul capable of intense pleasures. It throws off bursts of fire and the sparkle of precious stones. It is redolent of the rouge of courtesans, the games of the circus, the panting of the gladiators, the spring of wild beasts, the consuming in flames of races exhausted by their capacity for sensation, as the tramp of an invading army sounds". - Paul Verlaine
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
“… a man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection.”
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 29, 2020
A Laugh a Page
Definitely a great way to get through Trump's administration (unless you are a Trump supporter). You will enjoy the adventures of Strumpf, Mallard, and Uppham seeing Strumpf's behavior in the new light of Wales, a doctor, and the 18th century. Definitely a comedy for the ages.
Definitely a great way to get through Trump's administration (unless you are a Trump supporter). You will enjoy the adventures of Strumpf, Mallard, and Uppham seeing Strumpf's behavior in the new light of Wales, a doctor, and the 18th century. Definitely a comedy for the ages.
January 21, 2022
I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining, catching myself laughing out loud. Aptly titled & extremely well written.
Mr Nicke has proven his talent from one end of the literary spectrum to the other.
Mr Nicke has proven his talent from one end of the literary spectrum to the other.
February 11, 2022
Really enjoyable book. Something completely different! Had me laughing out loud in places, very rare today. I confess i'm actually a trump fan! but despite what another reviewer said here I still found it funny. I don't think just because you support a different political ideology, or way of looking at things it should blind you from seeing the humour in it's flaws. This book was so funny it did not matter to me if any political leanings. So I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who needs a good laugh. Look forward to more from Mr Nicke.
June 29, 2020
The best book I have read this year!
This book had me laughing out loud all the way through! During these rough times it was a refreshing break! I will be reading more from this Author! Bravo!!!
This book had me laughing out loud all the way through! During these rough times it was a refreshing break! I will be reading more from this Author! Bravo!!!
September 12, 2020
This author had me falling off my chair with political slam dunk and hilarious repartee. His twist of wit is right up my alley. That Fack that this is a timely piece makes even better. We could all use a laugh these days and this book sure provides it.
October 26, 2020
This book is absolutely one of the best to keep anyone laughing through the trump administration. Nicke brilliantly, yet directly, hits it in the bullseye and the funny bone.
Thank you, Mr. Nicke, for being a bright spot in dark times. I look forward to the sequel!
Thank you, Mr. Nicke, for being a bright spot in dark times. I look forward to the sequel!
June 14, 2023
This book is Laugh out loud Funny
I was utterly and happily surprised when I started reading this book. I had already read 2 other beautifully written books by Adam Nicke. This book was definitely not the same genre and might not be for everybody but it was hilarious 😂😂😂 I laughed out loud I could visualize the characters. Would be difficult to pick a favorite character they all had unique traits. What piqued my interest to read this book was the title. I refer to 98% of Doctors as Quacks and this book did not let me down. I will read it again when I am in a blue mood it will definitely lighten my thoughts.
I was utterly and happily surprised when I started reading this book. I had already read 2 other beautifully written books by Adam Nicke. This book was definitely not the same genre and might not be for everybody but it was hilarious 😂😂😂 I laughed out loud I could visualize the characters. Would be difficult to pick a favorite character they all had unique traits. What piqued my interest to read this book was the title. I refer to 98% of Doctors as Quacks and this book did not let me down. I will read it again when I am in a blue mood it will definitely lighten my thoughts.
August 27, 2020
Well this is the 3rd book I've tried of his and got past the first chapter and deleted it from my kindle!
Nothing but a narcissistic writer with nothing but amateur skills clearly. A 7 year old can do better!
Nothing but a narcissistic writer with nothing but amateur skills clearly. A 7 year old can do better!
December 19, 2020
One of the best satirical comedies I have read in a long time! I was laughing at the turn of every page ! Wonderful writing with great characters who are always up to something that leaves you laughing hysterically!! Absolutely a must read !!!
September 2, 2020
Not really my cup of tea...
December 9, 2020
Hilarious 🤣🤣🤣!!!
December 12, 2020
i'm half way thru the book and find it very interesting, written by a good author. ADAM NICKE, highly recommend it.
February 10, 2021
What’s hoot!
Very enjoyable and funny farce. Had me laughing out loud at times! Perfect English viewpoint at every turn. How tremendous!
Very enjoyable and funny farce. Had me laughing out loud at times! Perfect English viewpoint at every turn. How tremendous!
July 12, 2021
Weird, disgustingly funny. A perfect parody of he who shall not be named. Loved it!
November 5, 2023
Adam Nicke brings his hand to an hilarious well written story set in the 18th century. His characters engage in all sorts of absurdities that had me smile and giggle as I turned the pages. Ignorance is bliss and quackery rife, with politics showing a hand as the antics of each character play out in this thoroughly entertaining novel.
October 30, 2020
Mr Nicke proved how versatile of a writer that he is in this comedy. He can navigate any genre with ease. A well written book that makes you want to skip something important just to read another page. Well done sir.
October 28, 2020
This witty, satirical journey through the practice of quackery is a hilarious must read. Once again Adam Nicke has given the reader an engaging experience. Couldn't put it down!
November 10, 2020
Funny, intelligent and hard to put down. Amazing writing.
June 17, 2022
Mallard the quack is completely different to Adam Nickes other titles, this book made me laugh and was very entertaining to read. I highly recommend this book.
June 20, 2023
I wanted to thank you and recommend people read or listen to your very funny, innuendo filled book "Mallard the Quack". I've been using the Audible App since having cataract surgery in both eyes and find it a great way to "read" a book wherever and whenever you like.
The story had me chuckling along to the goings on of the three main protagonists. My only complaint was that the seven hour "read" was over much too quickly, it's been sometime since I started a book and finished it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book, and will be continuing to follow the author, I'm just saving up for my next additional monthly subscription so I can read another of your books.
Dave 🙏
The story had me chuckling along to the goings on of the three main protagonists. My only complaint was that the seven hour "read" was over much too quickly, it's been sometime since I started a book and finished it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book, and will be continuing to follow the author, I'm just saving up for my next additional monthly subscription so I can read another of your books.
Dave 🙏
February 14, 2024
Herman who? 🤣 Make an appointment to visit Adam Nicke's hilarious book, Mallard the Quack. Full of cheeky innuendos and witty jocularity, this book had me laughing from the start. The main characters are stupendously stupid and the plot is diabolically satirical. Being a completely different genre from Adam's other books shows this author's talent as an accomplished writer. If laughter is the best medicine, do yourself a favour and get a dose from Mallard the Quack.
October 9, 2023
A great read for fans of Colbert, Oliver and Monty Python. Imaginative situations, well deserved comedic tribulations and general tomfoolery! A hilarious roasting of.. well.. pick up a copy of Mallard the Quack and you'll know soon enough!
September 11, 2023
I purchased this book and once I began reading I couldn't put it down! This writer is both talented in writing and humorous. If you need to read good writing, read this book! If you need lots of laughter.. READ THIS BOOK!!!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews