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Longhand
Malcolm George Galbraith is a large, somewhat clumsy, Scotsman. He’s being forced to leave the woman he loves behind and needs to explain why.
So he leaves her a handwritten note on the kitchen table (well, more a 300-page letter than a note). In it, Malcolm decides to start from the beginning and tell the whole story of his long life, something he’s never dared do before.
Because Malcolm isn’t what he seems: he’s had other names and lived in other places. A lot of other places. As it gathers pace, Malcolm’s story combines tragedy, comedy, mystery, a touch of leprosy, several murders, a massacre, a ritual sacrifice, an insane tyrant, two great romances, a landslide, a fire, and a talking fish.
So he leaves her a handwritten note on the kitchen table (well, more a 300-page letter than a note). In it, Malcolm decides to start from the beginning and tell the whole story of his long life, something he’s never dared do before.
Because Malcolm isn’t what he seems: he’s had other names and lived in other places. A lot of other places. As it gathers pace, Malcolm’s story combines tragedy, comedy, mystery, a touch of leprosy, several murders, a massacre, a ritual sacrifice, an insane tyrant, two great romances, a landslide, a fire, and a talking fish.
350 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2020
14 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Andy Hamilton
96 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books by different authors.
For the music/philosophy author, see Andy Hamilton
For the comedian, game show panellist, television director, comedy screenwriter, radio dramatist, and novelist, see Andy Hamilton
For the beer/foraging author, see Andy Hamilton
This profile may contain books by different authors.
For the music/philosophy author, see Andy Hamilton
For the comedian, game show panellist, television director, comedy screenwriter, radio dramatist, and novelist, see Andy Hamilton
For the beer/foraging author, see Andy Hamilton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 22, 2020
I thought Longhand was excellent. Andy Hamilton has been writing top-class comedy on radio and TV for a very long time; this is well up to standard.
The book is in the form of a (long) letter from a man to his partner of 20 years explaining why he must suddenly leave. It is difficult to give an outline of the plot without significant spoilers, so I won’t. However, it’s readable, very engrossing, has plenty of very amusing bits which are laugh-out-loud funny in places and has Hamilton’s familiar underpinning of lightly-worn learning and wisdom. Here he takes some of the Greek myths and subjects them to the scrutiny of a modern consciousness, finding a great deal of comedy in their sillinesses and contradictions, but also, as he does so brilliantly in Old Harry’s Game, finding the genuine, sometimes profound human revelations in them.
It’s excellently done and I was completely hooked. The story moves at a good pace and Hamilton’s characters and settings are wholly believable. I loved the little insights that crop up regularly, like this about the big moments in our lives “Weird, isn’t it, how often the climaxes end up feeling anti-climactic. The big scenes never seem quite real.”
The format of actual handwriting works very well, I think. Hamilton always writes his scripts in longhand and has a lovely, readable italic hand. (There is also another clever reason for the title which is lightly revealed early on.) I found the whole book a real pleasure; it’s an excellent piece of work from one of our very best comic writers and I can recommend it very warmly.
The book is in the form of a (long) letter from a man to his partner of 20 years explaining why he must suddenly leave. It is difficult to give an outline of the plot without significant spoilers, so I won’t. However, it’s readable, very engrossing, has plenty of very amusing bits which are laugh-out-loud funny in places and has Hamilton’s familiar underpinning of lightly-worn learning and wisdom. Here he takes some of the Greek myths and subjects them to the scrutiny of a modern consciousness, finding a great deal of comedy in their sillinesses and contradictions, but also, as he does so brilliantly in Old Harry’s Game, finding the genuine, sometimes profound human revelations in them.
It’s excellently done and I was completely hooked. The story moves at a good pace and Hamilton’s characters and settings are wholly believable. I loved the little insights that crop up regularly, like this about the big moments in our lives “Weird, isn’t it, how often the climaxes end up feeling anti-climactic. The big scenes never seem quite real.”
The format of actual handwriting works very well, I think. Hamilton always writes his scripts in longhand and has a lovely, readable italic hand. (There is also another clever reason for the title which is lightly revealed early on.) I found the whole book a real pleasure; it’s an excellent piece of work from one of our very best comic writers and I can recommend it very warmly.
Read
September 6, 2020Longhand is a hilarious venture into alternate mythology. To be its protagonist, Andy Hamilton has created Malcolm George Galbraith. Half a dozen pages into the book, I felt as if I’d known this large, clumsy Scotsman all my life, and in a way, I have. Malcolm’s explanation of why he writes in longhand is revealing. ‘I smashed up my laptop. I pounded it into wee tiny bits then threw the pieces into the river.’ Our hero has lived a long, tumultuous life, and his adventures are celebrated in popular culture, but when we encounter him, he is facing the loss of everything he holds dear.
Malcolm’s epistle is not only laugh-out-loud funny but also engagingly philosophical. Under pressure from a fiendishly cruel deadline, he struggles to write to his beloved Bess, endeavouring to explain why he is being forced to desert her. In the course of this rambling love letter, he reflects on societies to which he formerly belonged, and compares them with the community he shares with Bess. Inspired by guilt and desperation, his observations on his varied experiences, past and present, are authentic and juicy, with an amusing flavour of grumpy old man. ‘Perhaps decades of material comfort always end in bitter dissatisfaction. People get swallowed by their expectations.’
When the story begins, Malcolm and Bess have been separated by a disaster that is the catalyst for his decision to leave. Readers never meet Malcolm’s partner of twenty years, but we feel as if we know her, because he describes her with such affectionate clarity. Bess is strong, sensible and brave, with an extensive and colourful vocabulary of swear words which chivalrous Malcolm does not record. He makes many delightful references to their long and loving relationship, during which certain roads have not been taken. ‘It would have been irresponsible to start a family when I’m being pursued by a vindictive God. (I know, it’s an old excuse).’
Andy Hamilton is celebrated for creating glorious feel-good comedies. From Old Harry’s Game on BBC Radio Sounds to the popular movie What We Did On Our Holiday, the author has shown his mastery of a wide range of media. In Longhand, he employs a highly original type format. The entire manuscript looks as if it has been neatly handwritten in black ink, using a broad-nibbed fountain pen, complete with crossings-out. Hence the title; although in the course of the narrative, another reason why the word ‘longhand’ has significance for Malcolm is revealed.
Nowadays, I seldom have the opportunity to read handwritten documents, so it took me a while to ‘get my eye in’. Then, I realised my glance could not slide across the page, which made it impossible for me to skim-read. The fact that the book is ‘hand-written’ compelled me to read much less quickly than I usually do, so I absorbed every detail of Malcolm’s heartfelt confession.
Reading Longhand as I would a traditional letter helped me to appreciate its wonderful style, and its clever use of ‘throw-away’ jokes. Hamilton’s thoughtful and enlightening humour made me laugh out loud, and discerning readers will enjoy his well-researched re-imagining of a popular hero.
Malcolm’s epistle is not only laugh-out-loud funny but also engagingly philosophical. Under pressure from a fiendishly cruel deadline, he struggles to write to his beloved Bess, endeavouring to explain why he is being forced to desert her. In the course of this rambling love letter, he reflects on societies to which he formerly belonged, and compares them with the community he shares with Bess. Inspired by guilt and desperation, his observations on his varied experiences, past and present, are authentic and juicy, with an amusing flavour of grumpy old man. ‘Perhaps decades of material comfort always end in bitter dissatisfaction. People get swallowed by their expectations.’
When the story begins, Malcolm and Bess have been separated by a disaster that is the catalyst for his decision to leave. Readers never meet Malcolm’s partner of twenty years, but we feel as if we know her, because he describes her with such affectionate clarity. Bess is strong, sensible and brave, with an extensive and colourful vocabulary of swear words which chivalrous Malcolm does not record. He makes many delightful references to their long and loving relationship, during which certain roads have not been taken. ‘It would have been irresponsible to start a family when I’m being pursued by a vindictive God. (I know, it’s an old excuse).’
Andy Hamilton is celebrated for creating glorious feel-good comedies. From Old Harry’s Game on BBC Radio Sounds to the popular movie What We Did On Our Holiday, the author has shown his mastery of a wide range of media. In Longhand, he employs a highly original type format. The entire manuscript looks as if it has been neatly handwritten in black ink, using a broad-nibbed fountain pen, complete with crossings-out. Hence the title; although in the course of the narrative, another reason why the word ‘longhand’ has significance for Malcolm is revealed.
Nowadays, I seldom have the opportunity to read handwritten documents, so it took me a while to ‘get my eye in’. Then, I realised my glance could not slide across the page, which made it impossible for me to skim-read. The fact that the book is ‘hand-written’ compelled me to read much less quickly than I usually do, so I absorbed every detail of Malcolm’s heartfelt confession.
Reading Longhand as I would a traditional letter helped me to appreciate its wonderful style, and its clever use of ‘throw-away’ jokes. Hamilton’s thoughtful and enlightening humour made me laugh out loud, and discerning readers will enjoy his well-researched re-imagining of a popular hero.
September 11, 2020
Thank you to Unbound for a copy of the book - my thoughts are my own and not influenced by the gift.
Having enjoyed watching Outnumbered and Drop the Dead Donkey, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review Andy Hamilton’s latest book. I loved the fact that when I opened the book, that the majority of it was handwritten by Andy Hamilton – such a unique idea in 2020.
As the global pandemic continued to dominate world news, this was the perfect book to escape into. The letter from Malcom to Bess, was a love letter to say farewell to Bess, who had been in one of his many lives, and to tell his story, from discovering he is a demi-god through to how he ended up living in Scotland.
I loved the storytelling, the humour, the reflections on past mistakes and the conversations with Zeus. Having enjoyed reading books by Rick Riordan, and having watched Doctor Who for many years, the whole story appealed to me. The reader is on a roller coaster journey following the boy through his exceptionally long life journey, as he enjoys triumphs and suffers tragedy.
The book encouraged me to think about historical events, family relationships, the need for people to believe in a god/religion. I have to be honest and say that I would probably not have discovered this book if it hadn’t been for the blog tour, and then I would have missed out on one of my favourite reads of 2020.
Having enjoyed watching Outnumbered and Drop the Dead Donkey, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review Andy Hamilton’s latest book. I loved the fact that when I opened the book, that the majority of it was handwritten by Andy Hamilton – such a unique idea in 2020.
As the global pandemic continued to dominate world news, this was the perfect book to escape into. The letter from Malcom to Bess, was a love letter to say farewell to Bess, who had been in one of his many lives, and to tell his story, from discovering he is a demi-god through to how he ended up living in Scotland.
I loved the storytelling, the humour, the reflections on past mistakes and the conversations with Zeus. Having enjoyed reading books by Rick Riordan, and having watched Doctor Who for many years, the whole story appealed to me. The reader is on a roller coaster journey following the boy through his exceptionally long life journey, as he enjoys triumphs and suffers tragedy.
The book encouraged me to think about historical events, family relationships, the need for people to believe in a god/religion. I have to be honest and say that I would probably not have discovered this book if it hadn’t been for the blog tour, and then I would have missed out on one of my favourite reads of 2020.
November 19, 2021
It starts rambling towards the end, as if the protagonist is trying to artificially pull out as much final advice as he can...but in the end, this is a novel I found surprising and fascinating and unexpected. It takes some time to get used to the pseudo-cursive writing, but this alternative story of a famous immortal comes packed with surprising pathos and a great deal of humour.
December 28, 2020
As Stephen Fry said, it is 'readable'. Maybe even enjoyable to the right person. But I found the prose uninspiring and the dialogue so poorly written that it took me out of the scene. It is badly organized (maybe intentionally, since it is meant to be stream of conscious letter writing), there is no climax, the end is not a revelation or a resolution. The author does not take full advantage of the clever idea of the premise (the letter, the handwriting, the immortal protagonist) which leaves you feeling that sad stale feeling of wasted potential.
July 3, 2022
Actual rating: 4.5.
It’s difficult to discuss Longhand without immediately spoiling the plot, so in brief: Malcolm Galbraith writes a handwritten letter to his partner Bess explaining his sudden disappearance, and ultimately his life story. Once you adjust to the style (it took me about half a page) there’s an urgency that comes with it that forces you to read on. I finished it in a day, which seems like a vindication of Andy Hamilton’s unusual style choice.
The plot is also responsible for this, adding a terrific tension to Malcolm’s letter writing as he races a life-or-death deadline. There’s a plot taking place in the present that’s just as captivating as the one in Malcolm’s long past, the latter of which takes some familiar yarns and adds a new perspective to them. If I had to nitpick, 350 pages doesn’t seem like enough to cover such a long life, but that would probably have occurred to Malcolm, who fills in the early stuff well enough to inform his present. You get the sense that everything in the middle was a bit of a blur anyway.
It feels unfair to say anything more, so I’d say avoid spoilers if you can and perhaps read the first 10-20 pages to see if you’re hooked. Something like this - a novel as handwritten letter - was obviously going to be sellable just on its gimmick, but Longhand is a great story as well.
It’s difficult to discuss Longhand without immediately spoiling the plot, so in brief: Malcolm Galbraith writes a handwritten letter to his partner Bess explaining his sudden disappearance, and ultimately his life story. Once you adjust to the style (it took me about half a page) there’s an urgency that comes with it that forces you to read on. I finished it in a day, which seems like a vindication of Andy Hamilton’s unusual style choice.
The plot is also responsible for this, adding a terrific tension to Malcolm’s letter writing as he races a life-or-death deadline. There’s a plot taking place in the present that’s just as captivating as the one in Malcolm’s long past, the latter of which takes some familiar yarns and adds a new perspective to them. If I had to nitpick, 350 pages doesn’t seem like enough to cover such a long life, but that would probably have occurred to Malcolm, who fills in the early stuff well enough to inform his present. You get the sense that everything in the middle was a bit of a blur anyway.
It feels unfair to say anything more, so I’d say avoid spoilers if you can and perhaps read the first 10-20 pages to see if you’re hooked. Something like this - a novel as handwritten letter - was obviously going to be sellable just on its gimmick, but Longhand is a great story as well.
December 31, 2023
Now I love Andy Hamilton and to be fair to it the story is actually really good, the main reason I don’t like this book is the font used. It makes the book almost impossible to read and actually gave me a headache trying to figure out what was actually happening. Hamilton’s writing is just as witty as it always is but I cannot recommend this because of the font choice. I struggled through 30% of the book and had to give up.
September 14, 2022
An unexpected story, enjoyable read and something different from the typical boy loves girl stories. A short and pleasing read, once you get used to the unique handwritten nature!
September 12, 2020
An unusual book in many ways, this book is a fictional autobiography of a remarkable man in a difficult situation. He has had an extraordinary and extremely long life, the penalty or bonus of being demi god. What makes it really enjoyable is the fact that it is effectively hand written by the author who is frequently seen on television and has been responsible for several highly successful comedy series. Apparently he wrote it by using no less than forty three italic pens. The writing is clear (at least I could read it) and it lends immediacy to the story, especially as mistakes are scribbled out and some words do not appear as being almost too painful. While it is mainly about events several thousands of years ago, the contemporary threat of what is happening as Malcolm writes his extended letter definitely affects the style of the writing. Managing to cover classical tales and historic events, this story borders on fantasy, comedy and harsh reality, as fantastic stories and references abound and seem convincing. Malcolm becomes a convincing story teller, and the urgently of his plight so telling that this book lingers in the memory. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this unusual book.
The book begins with a letter to the publisher explaining that this is the hand written manuscript written by Malcolm Galbraith to Elizabeth Dalglish when he disappeared from their joint home. Noting his evident distress as revealed in the letter, the reason for publishing the manuscript is to help in the search for him, and to allow the reader to make up their own mind. For what is written, literally, is a powerful tale of a life which embraces an apparent series of events of a dramatic nature from childhood onwards, through troubled teenage years, and a traumatic youth. Stories of armies, earthquakes and mass death abound in this tale of life across the ancient world.
The reason for writing the manuscript by hand is given as the fact that Malcolm has realised from current events in their lives that he is under threat, and is determined to save Elizabeth or “Bessie” from the danger. He writes it as his computer was broken in an unfortunate moment, and it does seem that he does have extraordinary strength and abilities. He is writing to explain why he must leave so mysteriously, some of the reasons for his behaviour over the years, and how much he loves Bessie and regrets the necessity of leaving her forever.
I found this a vibrant and sometimes moving story, though certainly not without humour, as Malcolm’s plight and honesty shine through his carefully written narrative. It shows a huge appreciation of the subject matter and the human side of a tale which is well known. I enjoyed its confidence and exuberance, as Hamilton seeks to justify questions that have disturbed readers for generations, while also telling a story of contemporary life. This is a strange and powerful novel which stands outside the norm as a very readable book on lots of levels. This is a really good read in many ways, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good novel which works on several levels.
The book begins with a letter to the publisher explaining that this is the hand written manuscript written by Malcolm Galbraith to Elizabeth Dalglish when he disappeared from their joint home. Noting his evident distress as revealed in the letter, the reason for publishing the manuscript is to help in the search for him, and to allow the reader to make up their own mind. For what is written, literally, is a powerful tale of a life which embraces an apparent series of events of a dramatic nature from childhood onwards, through troubled teenage years, and a traumatic youth. Stories of armies, earthquakes and mass death abound in this tale of life across the ancient world.
The reason for writing the manuscript by hand is given as the fact that Malcolm has realised from current events in their lives that he is under threat, and is determined to save Elizabeth or “Bessie” from the danger. He writes it as his computer was broken in an unfortunate moment, and it does seem that he does have extraordinary strength and abilities. He is writing to explain why he must leave so mysteriously, some of the reasons for his behaviour over the years, and how much he loves Bessie and regrets the necessity of leaving her forever.
I found this a vibrant and sometimes moving story, though certainly not without humour, as Malcolm’s plight and honesty shine through his carefully written narrative. It shows a huge appreciation of the subject matter and the human side of a tale which is well known. I enjoyed its confidence and exuberance, as Hamilton seeks to justify questions that have disturbed readers for generations, while also telling a story of contemporary life. This is a strange and powerful novel which stands outside the norm as a very readable book on lots of levels. This is a really good read in many ways, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good novel which works on several levels.
June 17, 2023
Andy Hamilton is a well-kent name from British TV and radio, having given us, among other things, shows like Drop the Dead Donkey (1990-1998) and Outnumbered (2007-2016). Longhand (2020) is his second novel and, unusually, it’s actually written in longhand, with almost 350 pages of Hamilton’s readable script, complete with additions and scrubbings out.
It’s a long love letter from Malcolm George Galbraith, a large, cumbersome Scotsman, to Bessie, his partner of twenty years. For reasons that he intends to explain, Malcolm has to leave Bessie with considerable urgency and, in fact, as the novel begins, has already left and, as an opening letter to the publisher from Bessie’s solicitors makes clear about his “unverifiable account”, without a trace and to much concern.
It would be a spoiler to reveal much about Malcolm’s story, especially as the first narrative curveball hits us six pages in, but it’s safe to say that it would be hard to put an age on Malcolm because “so many of those early civilizations kept messing around with their calendars”.
The Malcolm writing the letter is “someone who never changes…a constant in a changing, turbulent world”, but the life (indeed, the many lives) he writes about give us a more fantastical account of the world, pulling in mythological and historical touchpoints. But, really, it’s a state-of-the-nation novel reflecting on our current times, covering subjects like Brexit, the NHS, mental health, ghettoised opinion, and rampant consumerism.
In spite of contemporary concerns, the book ripples with comedic moments, (“Nearly always, the most rational response is a comic one.), whether that be the collision of the mundane with the fantastic or the set pieces recollected by Malcolm.
Longhand is one of those books where you can say all human life is here. Love, loss, vengeance, comedy, tragedy, and more. It acknowledges along the way, rational minds collectively “surrender entirely to the thrill of their emotions” but, over the larger course of time, standards overall improve, perhaps with one one exception: our handwriting.
It’s a long love letter from Malcolm George Galbraith, a large, cumbersome Scotsman, to Bessie, his partner of twenty years. For reasons that he intends to explain, Malcolm has to leave Bessie with considerable urgency and, in fact, as the novel begins, has already left and, as an opening letter to the publisher from Bessie’s solicitors makes clear about his “unverifiable account”, without a trace and to much concern.
It would be a spoiler to reveal much about Malcolm’s story, especially as the first narrative curveball hits us six pages in, but it’s safe to say that it would be hard to put an age on Malcolm because “so many of those early civilizations kept messing around with their calendars”.
The Malcolm writing the letter is “someone who never changes…a constant in a changing, turbulent world”, but the life (indeed, the many lives) he writes about give us a more fantastical account of the world, pulling in mythological and historical touchpoints. But, really, it’s a state-of-the-nation novel reflecting on our current times, covering subjects like Brexit, the NHS, mental health, ghettoised opinion, and rampant consumerism.
In spite of contemporary concerns, the book ripples with comedic moments, (“Nearly always, the most rational response is a comic one.), whether that be the collision of the mundane with the fantastic or the set pieces recollected by Malcolm.
Longhand is one of those books where you can say all human life is here. Love, loss, vengeance, comedy, tragedy, and more. It acknowledges along the way, rational minds collectively “surrender entirely to the thrill of their emotions” but, over the larger course of time, standards overall improve, perhaps with one one exception: our handwriting.
November 24, 2024
Imagine finding a 300-page love letter on your kitchen table—not a traditional romance, but a sprawling confession filled with gods, massacres, murder, and even a talking fish. That’s the deliciously chaotic premise of Longhand. Malcolm George Galbraith, our large, clumsy, yet deeply endearing Scotsman, pens this epic goodbye to his beloved Bess as he prepares to vanish from her life. His reason? That’s the mystery he unravels through hilarious anecdotes, philosophical musings, and sharp observations about humanity’s foibles.
The charm of this book lies in its voice—Malcolm is like the eccentric uncle you didn’t know you needed, full of wit and wisdom. The handwritten format (yes, it really looks like it’s written in ink!) slows your reading pace, but in the best way—it demands your full attention, drawing you deeper into Malcolm’s world. And what a world it is, blending history, mythology, and pure comic genius.
Andy Hamilton’s knack for combining the absurd with the profound is on full display here. Longhand is laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also tender, introspective, and beautifully human. If you love a quirky narrative style and characters who linger long after the final page, you’re in for a treat. Malcolm, you’ll be missed.
The charm of this book lies in its voice—Malcolm is like the eccentric uncle you didn’t know you needed, full of wit and wisdom. The handwritten format (yes, it really looks like it’s written in ink!) slows your reading pace, but in the best way—it demands your full attention, drawing you deeper into Malcolm’s world. And what a world it is, blending history, mythology, and pure comic genius.
Andy Hamilton’s knack for combining the absurd with the profound is on full display here. Longhand is laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also tender, introspective, and beautifully human. If you love a quirky narrative style and characters who linger long after the final page, you’re in for a treat. Malcolm, you’ll be missed.
February 22, 2026
I was very excited to read this book when I got it - a man forced to leave the love of his life behind, a 300+ page letter, and a story involving tragedy, love, massacres and a …talking fish??
The concept is very unique - I have never read a book that takes the form of a letter before. The story is interesting, yet simple - nothing too dramatic happens, there is no "big revelation" or a "gripping plot twist", and the quick pacing makes it easy to keep the readers invested. The characters are a bit flat for my taste, but the dialogues are pretty funny (some jokes did manage to make me laugh out loud.)
The jumping between past and present, however, were sometimes a bit confusing. I presume this was Andy Hamilton's intention, given this whole book is one big letter, but it just didn't work for me.
Also, as many others, I found the use of the cursive font very frustrating. As someone who is not a native English speaker, it was making the book hard to read and in some parts I would spend unnecessary long time trying to 'decipher' what it is written.
A nice read, but definitely not my favourite. 3.5/5 (rounding down to 3 only because of the font!)
The concept is very unique - I have never read a book that takes the form of a letter before. The story is interesting, yet simple - nothing too dramatic happens, there is no "big revelation" or a "gripping plot twist", and the quick pacing makes it easy to keep the readers invested. The characters are a bit flat for my taste, but the dialogues are pretty funny (some jokes did manage to make me laugh out loud.)
The jumping between past and present, however, were sometimes a bit confusing. I presume this was Andy Hamilton's intention, given this whole book is one big letter, but it just didn't work for me.
Also, as many others, I found the use of the cursive font very frustrating. As someone who is not a native English speaker, it was making the book hard to read and in some parts I would spend unnecessary long time trying to 'decipher' what it is written.
A nice read, but definitely not my favourite. 3.5/5 (rounding down to 3 only because of the font!)
January 3, 2022
‘Imperfection makes people better company’
An irreverent romp through ancient mythology wrapped up in a warm, funny and enjoyable love letter to humanity.
Andy Hamilton is a widely known British comedian, screen writer, radio dramatist and author. This was my first time reading one of his books, but I will absolutely be reading more. It is hard to describe too much of Longhand without terrible spoilers, but this is fundamentally a warm-hearted satire about human relationships and history.
Anything described by Stephen Fry as: ‘a glorious comic novel… and a historical document’ and by Neil Gaiman as ‘a joy to read’ is pretty much guaranteed to be insightful, inspired and laugh out loud funny. Longhand is all that, with an extra dose of originality thrown in. Written wholly in Longform handwriting - the reason for this choice is just as whimsical and enjoyable as the read itself.
If you loved ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ or ‘Mythos’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Troy’ by Stephen Fry, this will be right up your street.
An irreverent romp through ancient mythology wrapped up in a warm, funny and enjoyable love letter to humanity.
Andy Hamilton is a widely known British comedian, screen writer, radio dramatist and author. This was my first time reading one of his books, but I will absolutely be reading more. It is hard to describe too much of Longhand without terrible spoilers, but this is fundamentally a warm-hearted satire about human relationships and history.
Anything described by Stephen Fry as: ‘a glorious comic novel… and a historical document’ and by Neil Gaiman as ‘a joy to read’ is pretty much guaranteed to be insightful, inspired and laugh out loud funny. Longhand is all that, with an extra dose of originality thrown in. Written wholly in Longform handwriting - the reason for this choice is just as whimsical and enjoyable as the read itself.
If you loved ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ or ‘Mythos’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Troy’ by Stephen Fry, this will be right up your street.
May 10, 2022
This is such a cleverly written book - and when I say "written" I mean it - the handwritten pages of the book give the sense you are really reading this long missive and the crossings out and mistakes give a very clever insight into tue mind of the narrator. Fair warning though, it is harder to read than an actual font would be.
This is a very long letter, written by Malcolm Galbraith to his partner as she is in a coma and he prepares to leave her. He writes to explain, to leave a record of the things he won't be there to explain to her.
Those things? He's Heracles. Like, the actual Theban demigod. Just hanging out in Scotland in the modern day. He wants to correct some things in his enduring Myth, he reflects on what makes Myth and how wrong the historical record can be. He muses on the nature of human society and mortality. He is at odds with a psychopathic Zeus.
Or...is he mentally unsound after suffering a shock?
Read it and make your own minds up.
This is a very long letter, written by Malcolm Galbraith to his partner as she is in a coma and he prepares to leave her. He writes to explain, to leave a record of the things he won't be there to explain to her.
Those things? He's Heracles. Like, the actual Theban demigod. Just hanging out in Scotland in the modern day. He wants to correct some things in his enduring Myth, he reflects on what makes Myth and how wrong the historical record can be. He muses on the nature of human society and mortality. He is at odds with a psychopathic Zeus.
Or...is he mentally unsound after suffering a shock?
Read it and make your own minds up.
January 9, 2021
This is a lovely read and I really liked how different it is.
Firstly the book is written rather than typed and it I have to admit, it was such a nice touch. It reminded me of getting a red handwriting pen, with the slanted edges and writing in my best handwriting.
The book is written as a letter to Bessie, a character who we never meet, but by the end of the book you feel as though you know her.
The letter is written by Malcolm who is her partner, who has now decided it is time to leave but he needs to explain why. The book is beautifully written as he goes through his life and all the experiences he has had, and why they mean he has to leave her.
Highly recommended.
Firstly the book is written rather than typed and it I have to admit, it was such a nice touch. It reminded me of getting a red handwriting pen, with the slanted edges and writing in my best handwriting.
The book is written as a letter to Bessie, a character who we never meet, but by the end of the book you feel as though you know her.
The letter is written by Malcolm who is her partner, who has now decided it is time to leave but he needs to explain why. The book is beautifully written as he goes through his life and all the experiences he has had, and why they mean he has to leave her.
Highly recommended.
April 30, 2021
This was a refreshingly different book, written in an amusing, ‘stream of consciousness’ style. It is very typical of Andy Hamilton’s style of humour and I can just imagine him writing it. My fantasy is that he wrote it in a few, increasingly rushed, sittings, rather than having been edited in any great detail - I would prefer to think of it this way. I am giving it a 4/5 for it’s originality, both in style and content. I found it entertaining and engaging. My only complaint, having read it on a Kindle, is that the text was tiny (and very difficult to increase without changing it up and back every single page) - I struggles even with my glasses on!
March 2, 2021
A wonderfully irreverent take on Greek mythology from a seasoned comedy writer who seems to scribble this out effortlessly. Funny, inventive and a joy to get lost in. There's only one reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars, and that is the typography. I love that it's printed out in handwriting (with crossings out and everything), but I wish it had been done as if it were written with a biro and not a Sharpie! At times it's hard to tell if it's an 'a' or an 'e', etc., which interrupted my reading flow at times. Only a small criticism of an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
September 26, 2022
I have been an Andy Hamilton fan for years for his work with the BBC, and it was an easy yes to help kickstart this book in UnBound. The book itself, written in longhand is easy to read but I jumped back and forth with the Spotify unabridged audio version when walking. The book is an extended love/goodbye letter to a partner that we never meet except through the pages. The writing is witty, heartfelt, interesting and not overbearing. Even the end that feels rushed is appropriate because rushed is what the protagonist is. A little jewel.
August 13, 2024
And Hamilton has been writing TV and radio comedy for five decades. He knows his way around a script. However, there’s a difference between script and prose, and that’s the main criticism I have for this page-turner. It rattles along at a fair old pace, and the quips come at speed, but the characters are thin, and the “twist” is pretty predictable. That said, I don’t think the book is intended as anything more than a light, pacy, and fun tale. It succeeds in that.
January 11, 2026
This book sat in my tbr for 3 years because I couldn’t get over the gimmicky font choice. I’m so glad I decided to put that aside, as this book was such a surprising gem! Very amusing, emotional and engaging, it really wasn’t I was expecting and I would urge others to give it a try. I do wish they’d picked a different font though
December 29, 2020
I absolutely loved this.
At first glance, I thought the hand-written script would mean it would take me ages to read this; as it turns out I gobbled it up in about five hours.
Any substantial review would just give the game away, so I’ll just say that this was completely charming, poignant, and beautifully told.
My 52nd book of 2020 and possibly my favourite.
At first glance, I thought the hand-written script would mean it would take me ages to read this; as it turns out I gobbled it up in about five hours.
Any substantial review would just give the game away, so I’ll just say that this was completely charming, poignant, and beautifully told.
My 52nd book of 2020 and possibly my favourite.
January 11, 2021
I love Andy Hamilton's work esp Old Harrys Game. There were definitely elements of OHG in here which gave it a very comfortable familiar edge. I also liked the novelty of the hand written text but there was a certain inevitability about it, therefore no major surprises in the plot.
January 24, 2021
brilliant - really loved it.
bit of a pia with the font (handwriting like) that the book was written in - led a little bit to slightly interrupted reading when trying to decipher what a word meant, but well worth it - very, very good!
bit of a pia with the font (handwriting like) that the book was written in - led a little bit to slightly interrupted reading when trying to decipher what a word meant, but well worth it - very, very good!
February 22, 2021
Enjoyed reading this on the Kindle once I had got used to the font.
Really good read, good pace, entertaining, interesting and funny.
One of those you really want to know what happens (or happened) next.
Really good read, good pace, entertaining, interesting and funny.
One of those you really want to know what happens (or happened) next.
March 23, 2022
Loved this! Was a backer on Unbound, and happy to have supported it. Have always enjoyed Andy Hamilton's work and the handwritten letter from a husband to wife did not disappoint. Bittersweet and moving.
July 12, 2023
Fun book, and nicely read by Callum O'Neill (lovely Scottish accent). I decided to listen to this book on a long hike, and it sure made it a more interesting time. I was just a bit annoyed that at the end I had some kilometers left, but no extra chapters of the book to accompany me. 😅
September 8, 2020
A really fun, and funny novel, beautifully written (if you'll excuse the crossings out ;) )
September 21, 2020
I can't write a review without spoilers so i'll just say that it's moving, hilarious & wonderful. Read it.
November 8, 2020
A unique book and the beautiful thing is its printed in longhand. No spoilers on the story here. A book I'm proud to own.
November 26, 2020
A nice light read.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
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