WILLIAM'S PROGRESS EIGHT CD AUDIOBOOK COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED - WILLIAMS PROGRESS

by Matt Rudd

A brilliant comic novel about love, marriage, parenthood and the million tiny little things that conspire to trip you up on the rocky road to all three. William has a twelve-year-old boss bent on his destruction; the interior design duo from hell re-decorating his bathroom; and an angry ginger midget with a mean right hook on his case. Then there’s the flood. And the village full of Machiavellian nutters. On the plus side, he has as a gorgeous wife and an adorable new son – and he loves them both. It’s just a shame that parenthood doesn’t stop him doing the wrong thing at precisely the wrong time, with catastrophic results for his small – and increasingly exasperated – family. It’s very nearly too much for one man to handle. Correction. It is ENTIRELY too much for one man to handle. And that man is William Walker.

Audio CD

First published July 2, 2010

Reviews

[Joel Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

[Jennsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series and loved it. The author is witty and insightful. Although not as good as the predecessor, it was still a pleasure to read

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

William is a character that most men can relate to in some way, as most men (I think) will be a father at some point. There is further encouragement to take his side when we find that he isn’t happy with his work, being in an office where he is quickly becoming the oldest there and having to cope with colleagues that clearly are going to advance further than he ever did, or will. Men will recognise, to a lesser or greater degree, the demotion of men to third place in the relationship or pecking order of him, wife and baby – with the attendant shame of feeling that way and being so selfish. To add to his troubles he agrees, sort of, for two of his friends – or probably more accurately his wife Isobel’s friends and people he just about tolerates, to re fit his bathroom as part of their career aspirations to be TV stars who do up bathrooms. In the background, we hear about his travelling woes, on the train he is intimidated by a woman who takes up two seats, and is afraid to ask to move her bag. There are just some of the circumstances which, when they inevitably get worse, are artfully intertwined and make for an entertaining read . There are some darker bits in the tale, but it is played mainly for laughs. I liked the book, but have read a better version, or versions, of the same theme many years ago in the ‘Wilt’ books by Tom Sharpe. I would recommend reading this first, and then looking in the charity shops for some Tom Sharpe to show how it really should be done.

[Emily Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

'William's Progress' follows on from 'William Walker's First Year of Marriage: A Horror Story', in the same diary-style prose, accounting another year in the life of William Walker.

All the familiar characters are there as well as some eccentric new characters: the ginger midget kick-boxer and her neighbours, and some cats and chickens. This year of William's life starts with the birth of his son, Jacob, and takes you on a roller-coaster of the stupid things the William does and the ridiculous situations his family get in to.

Overall, this is a quick and amusing read, but the scenarios seem to be a little over-the-top and very predictable in places. If you enjoy schadenfreude and silliness, then this will be right up your street.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow up to William Walker's First Year of Marriage and a very enjoyable tale. At the end of the first book William's marriage is saved after the devious Alex and Saskia the Destroyer of Relationships did their best to wreck it, and William has discovered he is about to become a father. This book begins 9 months on, on New Year's Day, when William jnr is born, and follows William through the next twelve months as he learns about fatherhood, village life, work and happiness. Though some of the situations are not exactly realistic, this is a really funny book that will keep you hooked. I only hope that this isn't the last we see of William!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh that was a good, easy, read - top grade chick lit+.
Laugh out loud funny take on relationships and life as a brand new parent. So true and therefore so funny. Not fluff mind, some seriously serious observations and insight.

Well written in an easy style - a pleasure to read.

Entertaining, funny, humane and warm. I'll have to get the first one now but hope there's more to come - I'd like to hear more about William & co.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. Again, laugh out loud funny.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more entertaining than 'William Walkers First year of Marriage'. Couldn't put it down!