Pipe Dreams: Secret Diaries of a Neighbourhood Plumber

by Nicholas James

Over more than twenty years working as a plumber, Nick has shared thousands of mugs of tea with hundreds of fascinating people. Here he gives his plumber’ s-eye view of society in a series of entertaining, amusing and outrageous beneath-the-kitchen-sink dramas. While fixing pipes, Nick was also looking for characters to write about. In his toolbox, in addition to spanners, he had a notebook, which wasn’ t just for jotting down measurements. And ‘ the secret plumber’ has some great stories to tell, about people who might just be your friends, family or neighbours. There’ s the frankly terrifying high-court judge, whose wife calls the shots; the divorcing woman, using him to help her build a rather bizarre botox business; and all the wonderful people he meets when his number is posted on Grindr as an LGBTQ+-friendly plumber. This book is Tales of the Unexpected – in overalls. It shows London as it really one of the most diverse places on the planet, ranging from downright dangerous to preposterously posh. To Nick, London is a melting pot, filled with an extraordinary variety of fascinating people, who have one thing in common – they all need a plumber!

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review
I love the picture on the cover of this book. And I enjoy reading about tradesmen and their profession. I was kind of expecting more stories about raw sewage and flooded basements but I was happy he focused on the strange but comical variety of customers he had. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments and some that made me say "aww, how sweet".

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, I loved this. I was slightly concerned when the first two stories were a little samey, basically the author having to run to get a part before an epic flooding event, but thereafter the anecdotes were varied and quite frankly hilarious.
I love the easy style of writing, incredibly honest and with the laid back attitude of listening to a close friend retelling a story down the pub.
The intimacy of the client / plumber relationship really shone through as the customers shared their innermost secrets and ambitions with their trusty spanner wielder. It reminded me of the things you overhear when chatting to your hairdresser when you’re relaxed and the random life subjects you stray onto. This was further highlighted by Nick sharing details of his own family life and relationships and his take on life itself. Absolutely spot on and very cathartic to read.
Some of the individual recollections are laugh out loud hilarious, I particularly enjoyed the one about Jesus the dog and they’re thoroughly entertaining. Thank you for sharing, this book is such a gem as are all the very animated characters you introduce us to throughout. Full heartedly recommend to all, any chance of a follow up?

[Sarah Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answer these questions: What makes this book different from all others? And why should anyone care?
Give enough info about the plot of a novel or the facts in a nonfiction book that they have a context for your opinions. Don’t give so much that your post turns into a book report instead of a review. And no spoilers! Be fair to your fellow readers.
Whenever possible, put the good things about a book or author up front.
Criticize the book, not the author, if you don’t like what you’ve read. Explain why.

I chose to read this book because of curiosity alone---and I was glad I was so curious! This is such a unique book! I loved reading about Nick's adventures in plumbing and the interesting situations he found himself in. I enjoyed the reading about his supportive family, the "Merry Misfits" he pieced together to work with, and seeing him achieve his big dream!
While there were parts that had words I tend to avoid in literature, I was not offended by them, because it just made sense that it was part of Nick's story, and his people. I truly found this to be a compelling read and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this gem on Netgalley---where I had the chance to get an advance look.
Sometimes the best reads are the ones we don't expect---and this was the case for me.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Ad Lib Publishers and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My brother is a master plumber, so I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book. This very funny collection of stories is not so much a memoir as a series of vignettes starring various characters the author encounters in the course of his work as a plumber and general odd-job man. I loved his dry and self-deprecating humor, and the fact that he did not whitewash his own shortcomings. The writing is quite personal, also involving his roles as father and husband, and gives a fascinating inside look at what tradespeople often have to put up with.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pipe Dreams by Nicholas James is an unexpected take on plumbing. No need to worry that you're going to be dowsed in the minitua of snaking a clogged pipe. Instead you're in for a character study in the foibles of people. James' writing is sharp and enjoyable. It's never mocking either. This is a fun read. Thanks to #AdLibPublishers and #netGalley for the opportunity to preview this book.

[Cassandra Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book! I’ve always wondered the secrets that plumbers hold, and James’ stories are wonderful, funny, and endearing. The path he took to become a plumber is fascinating and it’s clear his passion for writing has paid off with this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dispels the idea that plumbing is boring. What makes it interesting is not the work, but the characters the plumbers meet. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down until the end.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst I appreciated the humour in this book and liked how the honesty at the end resonated through, I found the layout and order of events and stories disjointed and disconnected

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute memoir of a London plumber, a way to see the wackiness of going into people's homes and lives. Thanks for the ARC.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I enjoy fly on the wall books about different professions, and this was an interesting and entertaining look at the world of a plumber.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be filled with relatable experiences, funny moments, and emotional highs and lows that made it an easy and enjoyable read. Like any memoir, James' book has its share of lighthearted moments and difficult topics. He introduces readers to a cast of unforgettable characters, and I found his wife especially relatable.

I found the writing style to be straightforward, which made following the plot a breeze. It's great to see that the author has taken up writing and I eagerly await their future works.

This book is a remarkable first effort. It is a non-fictional piece and, with just under 250 pages, is a fast read, making it ideal for the upcoming summer months!