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Charlie Summers
Hector Chetwode-Talbot führt ein traumhaftes Leben. Sein Geld verdient er damit, in exklusiven Restaurants zu speisen und möglichst oft Golf zu spielen oder auf die Jagd zu gehen – dabei überredet er Bekannte und Kollegen, Millionen in dubiose Hedgefonds zu investieren. Vor allem aber sehnt sich der steife Junggeselle nach einer Familie und dem kleinen alltäglichen Glück. Dann platzt Charlie Summers in sein Leben und stellt es auf den Kopf. Kein Wunder, der naive Pechvogel will alles zu Geld machen, was ihm in die Hände fällt, Feingefühl ist für ihn ein Fremdwort, und er drückt nur zu gern ein Auge zu, wenn Delfine zu japanischem Hundefutter verarbeitet werden. Aber so befremdet Hector zunächst auch sein mag: Charlie und er sind Brüder im Geiste. Und auch äußerlich sehen sie sich verhängnisvoll ähnlich ...
287 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
27 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Paul Torday
15 books175 followersPaul Torday burst on to the literary scene in 2007 with his first novel, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, an immediate international bestseller that has been translated into 28 languages and has been made into a film starring Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Blunt. His subsequent novels, THE IRRESISTIBLE INHERITANCE OF WILBERFORCE, THE GIRL ON THE LANDING, THE HOPELESS LIFE OF CHARLIE SUMMERS, MORE THAN YOU CAN SAY, THE LEGACY OF HARTLEPOOL HALL and LIGHT SHINING IN THE FOREST, were all published to great critical acclaim. He was married with two sons by a previous marriage, had two stepsons, and lived close to the River North Tyne. He died at home in December 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
March 12, 2016
“Arrangements were then made to show Charlie to his room. This turned out to be a servant’s room, a long way from the rest of the bedrooms, and showed no sign of recent use. There was a small bed about five feet long, a washbasin and not much else in the way of decoration. A bathroom with a lino floor across the corridor was thrown in as additional hospitality. It was lit by one of the new low-energy bulbs, which seemed barely to register any form of electric current, emitting a glow similar to what might have been produced by half a dozen fireflies”
The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers is the fourth novel by British author, Paul Torday. After ten years in the army followed by a few in private security, Hector Chetwode-Talbot (Eck to his friends) is at a loose end. Then he gets a call from Bilbo Mountwilliam, a few years ahead of him at school and now fabulously rich, thanks to the hedge fund he runs. Bilbo offers Eck a well-paying position: all he has to do is entertain his well-off friends and get them interested in investing in Mountwilliam Partners.
His job sees him in the south of France, playing golf with his friend, Henry (Lord) Newark when they first encounter Charlie Summers, looking rather shop-worn, in hiding from HM’s Customs and Revenue regarding certain VAT irregularities. But Charlie is nothing if not resilient, and is soon back in the country with (yet another) get-rich-quick scheme, this one involving Japanese dog food. His audacious plans see him establishing himself in Gloucestershire and trading on a case of mistaken identity.
Eck has always had a niggling feeling about the ethics of his job, and finds himself even more wary when Bilbo has him meeting with a mysterious Afghan. The feeling that he is being followed is dismissed: he is distracted by his ever growing feelings for his second cousin, Harriet. And then the Global Financial Crisis begins to bite: “…the invisible, locationless money ebbed and flowed around the world, a great tide of wealth. Each high tide was higher than the last; each low tide less marked. No one quite knew where it all was, or which debts were going to be repaid, and which not. Yet, here and there, one or two people were beginning to ask: where’s the money?”
In this novel, Torday explores the environment that produced the GFC, as well as touching on money laundering, greed (of course!) and guilt. Also featured are con-men (of varying degrees of magnitude), emetic dog food, beetroot-coloured wine, a few somewhat careless jihadists, an unexpected inheritance, green hair dye, a friendly-fire incident and a kidnapping.
Torday’s characters are wholly believable: each has their strengths and weaknesses, and the decisions they make in life are completely understandable. Several of the characters have appeared in earlier novels, notably Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, Eck, Charlie and Elizabeth Gascoigne. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and only the most cynical reader will not choke up toward the end. Torday just keeps getting better, and readers who enjoy this book will look forward to More Than You Can Say. Just brilliant!
The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers is the fourth novel by British author, Paul Torday. After ten years in the army followed by a few in private security, Hector Chetwode-Talbot (Eck to his friends) is at a loose end. Then he gets a call from Bilbo Mountwilliam, a few years ahead of him at school and now fabulously rich, thanks to the hedge fund he runs. Bilbo offers Eck a well-paying position: all he has to do is entertain his well-off friends and get them interested in investing in Mountwilliam Partners.
His job sees him in the south of France, playing golf with his friend, Henry (Lord) Newark when they first encounter Charlie Summers, looking rather shop-worn, in hiding from HM’s Customs and Revenue regarding certain VAT irregularities. But Charlie is nothing if not resilient, and is soon back in the country with (yet another) get-rich-quick scheme, this one involving Japanese dog food. His audacious plans see him establishing himself in Gloucestershire and trading on a case of mistaken identity.
Eck has always had a niggling feeling about the ethics of his job, and finds himself even more wary when Bilbo has him meeting with a mysterious Afghan. The feeling that he is being followed is dismissed: he is distracted by his ever growing feelings for his second cousin, Harriet. And then the Global Financial Crisis begins to bite: “…the invisible, locationless money ebbed and flowed around the world, a great tide of wealth. Each high tide was higher than the last; each low tide less marked. No one quite knew where it all was, or which debts were going to be repaid, and which not. Yet, here and there, one or two people were beginning to ask: where’s the money?”
In this novel, Torday explores the environment that produced the GFC, as well as touching on money laundering, greed (of course!) and guilt. Also featured are con-men (of varying degrees of magnitude), emetic dog food, beetroot-coloured wine, a few somewhat careless jihadists, an unexpected inheritance, green hair dye, a friendly-fire incident and a kidnapping.
Torday’s characters are wholly believable: each has their strengths and weaknesses, and the decisions they make in life are completely understandable. Several of the characters have appeared in earlier novels, notably Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, Eck, Charlie and Elizabeth Gascoigne. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and only the most cynical reader will not choke up toward the end. Torday just keeps getting better, and readers who enjoy this book will look forward to More Than You Can Say. Just brilliant!
June 2, 2010
I am thrilled to have discovered author Torday, and dismayed that I have finished reading everything he has written to date. Excellent and versatile author. I loved the humor in "Salmon Fishing on the Yemen" but his other books remind me of Ian McEwan--more serious commentaries on modern life and social customs. At the beginning of this book, Charlie Summers is a side character, a buffoon, a joke--by the end, he is a hero.
September 19, 2022
много добра книга.
обрана печал поднесена с неподражаемото, британско чуство за хумор, мярка и стил.
обрана печал поднесена с неподражаемото, британско чуство за хумор, мярка и стил.
August 5, 2011
An unremarkable book. A story of common miseries like those that one can find in any newspaper everyday. Charlie Summers, the main loser among losers, is the only interesting character for his emotional depth. The others, including the narrator, are quite flat and boring. Nothing new is said in this book, nothing intriguing, no amusing or provoking ideas that can catch the reader’s imagination, surprise him, make him wonder. An aloof description of discouraging, everyday chronicle. Some hints of comments or criticisms that could revive the story are unconvincingly scattered through the narration and never unfolded, so that they can easily pass unnoticed. The result is an ordinary report of the facts that shows no interest or strength to portray those aberrations and weaknesses of human nature that are at their origin.
October 31, 2014
Clever stuff. Reads like a dream. This combines complexity with simplicity and farce with gritty reality. Almost impossible to describe. Charlie Summers is a magnificent invention who occupies the pages in a way that no other character I've ever read has. Charlie appears throughout the novel the way that old friends, welcome and unwelcome alike, appear through our lives. It's totally convincing and surprisingly moving. I should be getting on with work but it took over. One of those books that you feel saddened to finish.
December 8, 2013
I was recommended Paul Torday a few years ago, before Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was released as a film and really became popular. I enjoyed it, but for me this book is far better. It kept me gripped from start to finish, showed a lot of insight, and of course Torday's excellent crisp writing. Perfect mix of great writing, insight, humour and intrigue.
November 29, 2019
I think Paul Torday was an exceptional writer. As I recall Mr. Torday started writing later on in his life. I was very sorry to hear of his death, but am grateful for him and the books that he shared with his readers. I gave this book an A+++ on a scale of A to F. Ergo, I really really liked this book.
March 2, 2015
Amusing but a little predictable in the end. Not as good as Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
August 10, 2018
This book was interesting, it felt very much like a real life autobiography. I liked the style of it being someone telling you their story, it was quite engaging. It was really the Life of ‘Eck as much as Charlie. I don’t have anything in common with any of the characters but they are quite likeable in their way, if a little stereotypical in places perhaps. I started off disliking Charlie and liking the honest upstanding Eck but by the end of the book it was the other way round.
I definitely preferred the Charlie story, he’s a really interesting character. The Eck story is a nightmare waiting to happen.
The romance element is not particularly romantic, until he goes to France to see her on impulse. He’s not particularly nice to Harriet and I felt he took advantage of her in the home they inherited. There is a small quote here that almost made me laugh “One day Harriet would, I have no doubt, learn to live a normal life in a normal way, stop being a recluse, marry, have children, and join a book club. A girl like that deserved a happy life”. Wow that’s how to make a girl happy - marry, kids, book club! Bloody male writer!
I found by the end of the book Eck to be a selfish, greedy, cowardly man. An utter idiot. He started off seeming so fair and upstanding and honest. He got away with it all and poor Charlie suffered. He didn’t find peace!
It was cleverly written and the comparison of the two men, from their physical appearance to their actual character/personality was well made.
4 stars is a little generous perhaps but 3 is too harsh, it wasn’t thrilling book or particularly exciting but it was a nice read nonetheless.
I definitely preferred the Charlie story, he’s a really interesting character. The Eck story is a nightmare waiting to happen.
The romance element is not particularly romantic, until he goes to France to see her on impulse. He’s not particularly nice to Harriet and I felt he took advantage of her in the home they inherited. There is a small quote here that almost made me laugh “One day Harriet would, I have no doubt, learn to live a normal life in a normal way, stop being a recluse, marry, have children, and join a book club. A girl like that deserved a happy life”. Wow that’s how to make a girl happy - marry, kids, book club! Bloody male writer!
I found by the end of the book Eck to be a selfish, greedy, cowardly man. An utter idiot. He started off seeming so fair and upstanding and honest. He got away with it all and poor Charlie suffered. He didn’t find peace!
It was cleverly written and the comparison of the two men, from their physical appearance to their actual character/personality was well made.
4 stars is a little generous perhaps but 3 is too harsh, it wasn’t thrilling book or particularly exciting but it was a nice read nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2019
С типично английско чувство за хумор е поставен сериозен въпрос за модерните ценности.
Пазраната икономика от търсенето и предлагането ли се определя или в основата на всички сделки е доверието като универсален код на всички човешки взаимоотношения? Защо то се дава безусловно на големите мошеници, маскирани като влиятелни инвестиционни фондове, а е отказано на дребните играчи, които винаги губят повече без да навредят сериозно на когото и да било?
Чарли Съмърс, вторичният главен герой (ако може да се нарече така), опитва различни видове бизнес, но е класически неудачник и при провала на всяко ново начинание губи все повече доверието на околните, принуден е да бяга от дребни кредитори, стеснявайки жизненото си пространство и физически, и социално. Чаровен и добронамерен, той жертва живота си, представяйки се главния главен герой Ек, когото търсят талибани, насъскани от баш мошеника и олицетворение на силните на деня Билбо.
Краят е оптимистично трагичен.
Пазраната икономика от търсенето и предлагането ли се определя или в основата на всички сделки е доверието като универсален код на всички човешки взаимоотношения? Защо то се дава безусловно на големите мошеници, маскирани като влиятелни инвестиционни фондове, а е отказано на дребните играчи, които винаги губят повече без да навредят сериозно на когото и да било?
Чарли Съмърс, вторичният главен герой (ако може да се нарече така), опитва различни видове бизнес, но е класически неудачник и при провала на всяко ново начинание губи все повече доверието на околните, принуден е да бяга от дребни кредитори, стеснявайки жизненото си пространство и физически, и социално. Чаровен и добронамерен, той жертва живота си, представяйки се главния главен герой Ек, когото търсят талибани, насъскани от баш мошеника и олицетворение на силните на деня Билбо.
Краят е оптимистично трагичен.
December 22, 2024
When I read the reviews on its first page, it dawned on me that this was the author who gave us the whimsical story of a man trying to do salmon fishing in the Yemen desert. I remember Ewan McGregor in the lead.
I like everything about this book - the writing, the story, the characters. There’s something the way the words are used that gives that fluidity and flow like floating in a calm warm sea. Can’t really hold on to it, just a feeling of contentment. A certain je ne sais quoi.
The story is built on the characters we encounter daily or even represents the majority of people we know. Thus, giving the real vibes to the successes and failures each character experienced.
I was so captivated by the narrative that I wished the story would not end. The novel delves into the fundamental nature of existence, it is a bittersweet exploration of our desire and how we face reality.
I like everything about this book - the writing, the story, the characters. There’s something the way the words are used that gives that fluidity and flow like floating in a calm warm sea. Can’t really hold on to it, just a feeling of contentment. A certain je ne sais quoi.
The story is built on the characters we encounter daily or even represents the majority of people we know. Thus, giving the real vibes to the successes and failures each character experienced.
I was so captivated by the narrative that I wished the story would not end. The novel delves into the fundamental nature of existence, it is a bittersweet exploration of our desire and how we face reality.
September 5, 2022
I really liked this and rattled through it quite quickly. Having lived through the period in question, I unfortunately recognised the greed and dubious morals of some concerned, which led to the inevitable question - who was really conning who?
Charlie Summers hasn't had the best start in life and has tried to get by the only way he knows. Has he been lazy, trying to take short cuts through life? Yes. Has he ever deliberately hurt anyone more than he's hurt himself in the processes? Maybe not. On the other hand, for those who have seemingly had everything handed to them on a plate, more is never enough.
The ending, though far-fetched (this is a work of fiction to be fair), still brought a tear to my eye.
Charlie Summers hasn't had the best start in life and has tried to get by the only way he knows. Has he been lazy, trying to take short cuts through life? Yes. Has he ever deliberately hurt anyone more than he's hurt himself in the processes? Maybe not. On the other hand, for those who have seemingly had everything handed to them on a plate, more is never enough.
The ending, though far-fetched (this is a work of fiction to be fair), still brought a tear to my eye.
December 18, 2022
The hopeless life of charlie summers
paul Tordan
Phoenix
2.5/5 ⭐
talking about the life of eck who found himself drawn into regret after the investment company which he lured his friends into - as part of his job- had lost all the money. and the complicated relationship with his cousin Harriet.
where we have some shadows of the constant failure charlie summers faces on his path to wealth, and how he decides to end it considering a face he shares with eck
somewhat entertaining, I don't think there was something extraordinary more than the regular misery of human life's meaningless, the characters were ok, not too deep but showing some affection, and it suits the general vibes of the financial world and so on.
paul Tordan
Phoenix
2.5/5 ⭐
talking about the life of eck who found himself drawn into regret after the investment company which he lured his friends into - as part of his job- had lost all the money. and the complicated relationship with his cousin Harriet.
where we have some shadows of the constant failure charlie summers faces on his path to wealth, and how he decides to end it considering a face he shares with eck
somewhat entertaining, I don't think there was something extraordinary more than the regular misery of human life's meaningless, the characters were ok, not too deep but showing some affection, and it suits the general vibes of the financial world and so on.
May 3, 2023
Having enjoyed Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, I picked up the Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers when I saw it. The book is about Eck, who does a job he doesn't quite understand in Finance. He and a friend meet the hapless Charlie Summers in France after he has had a spot of bother when a dodgy deal goes wrong. Eck and Charlie's paths cross a few times after this and the book picks up book characters as the financial markets begin to change.
I did enjoy this but it felt very much like a two separate stories, it wasn't until the end that I saw how they came together and it all made sense. I liked Eck and Charlie as characters but the whole Finance element completely went over my head! I enjoyed it overall and will read more of Paul Torday's books.
I did enjoy this but it felt very much like a two separate stories, it wasn't until the end that I saw how they came together and it all made sense. I liked Eck and Charlie as characters but the whole Finance element completely went over my head! I enjoyed it overall and will read more of Paul Torday's books.
October 11, 2024
埃克從特種部隊退伍後，因為朋友的關係進入金融投資業。埃克主要的工作就是負責陪有錢人玩樂，再說服他們買公司操縱的基金。離開阿富汗的戰場後的生活整個的紙醉金迷，埃克漸漸在金錢世界中麻木，直到遇見了查理‧桑莫。
查理‧桑莫是個樂觀的……騙子。他也不是真的要騙人，只是老想抄捷徑，天真地想要一步登天，於是賣混充日本貨的不實內容物的狗食、看報紙批發了一堆酸甜菜酒冒充高級葡萄酒等等。每一次都是大慘敗，只好落荒而逃到他方，又一次抱持不切實際的夢想，再次被騙，也再次騙人。
在此同時，埃克的投機公司在金融風暴下終於垮掉，一直懷疑這種買空賣空工作的埃克雖然證實了自己早先對工作的「心虛」。就在落得無業一身輕的下場時，埃克捲入阿富汗塔利班洗錢的犯罪事業中，成為被追殺的替罪羔羊。
一心想要賺大錢的查理‧桑莫終於報了埃克多次收容的恩惠，憑著和埃克相似的外表，他做了此生最後一次的騙子──在塔利班人擄人的時候，冒充埃克被抓走。
故事的主軸是金融海嘯前後時，全世界的人都陷入金錢榮景永存的幻景中。然而不多久，當金錢世界泡沫化，讓許多人身敗名裂，家破人亡，整個狀態就像是全世界被不知名的誰給狠狠地騙上一回。
查理‧桑莫是個演技拙劣的騙子，他對他人的殺傷力可能遠不及對自己人生的挫敗感─「我要證明給自己看，我還可以在人生結束之前做點有意義的事。」 (p.282)
這是個很容易讀的故事，壞行為當中都有點無奈的味道，「不是故意啊！只是想要……」的感覺。查理‧桑莫是其行未可誅，其情卻絕對可憫的一個人物。環顧四周，總會聯想到有著相同氣息的某某某。
只是不知怎地，我再也沒有當初閱讀作者第一本書《到葉門釣鮭魚》時那種嚇了一大跳的驚艷感了。就這樣，胃口又被養刁了。
查理‧桑莫是個樂觀的……騙子。他也不是真的要騙人，只是老想抄捷徑，天真地想要一步登天，於是賣混充日本貨的不實內容物的狗食、看報紙批發了一堆酸甜菜酒冒充高級葡萄酒等等。每一次都是大慘敗，只好落荒而逃到他方，又一次抱持不切實際的夢想，再次被騙，也再次騙人。
在此同時，埃克的投機公司在金融風暴下終於垮掉，一直懷疑這種買空賣空工作的埃克雖然證實了自己早先對工作的「心虛」。就在落得無業一身輕的下場時，埃克捲入阿富汗塔利班洗錢的犯罪事業中，成為被追殺的替罪羔羊。
一心想要賺大錢的查理‧桑莫終於報了埃克多次收容的恩惠，憑著和埃克相似的外表，他做了此生最後一次的騙子──在塔利班人擄人的時候，冒充埃克被抓走。
故事的主軸是金融海嘯前後時，全世界的人都陷入金錢榮景永存的幻景中。然而不多久，當金錢世界泡沫化，讓許多人身敗名裂，家破人亡，整個狀態就像是全世界被不知名的誰給狠狠地騙上一回。
查理‧桑莫是個演技拙劣的騙子，他對他人的殺傷力可能遠不及對自己人生的挫敗感─「我要證明給自己看，我還可以在人生結束之前做點有意義的事。」 (p.282)
這是個很容易讀的故事，壞行為當中都有點無奈的味道，「不是故意啊！只是想要……」的感覺。查理‧桑莫是其行未可誅，其情卻絕對可憫的一個人物。環顧四周，總會聯想到有著相同氣息的某某某。
只是不知怎地，我再也沒有當初閱讀作者第一本書《到葉門釣鮭魚》時那種嚇了一大跳的驚艷感了。就這樣，胃口又被養刁了。
April 5, 2023
Интересно четиво, с английско чувство за хумор ни описва света на големите инвестиции и алчността на богатите да станат още по-богати, доверявайки се на обещания, подплатени със скъпи обяди, вечери, игра на голф..
Докога това състояние на илюзорно благоденствие продължава, до какви прозрения достигат героите в книгата и на какви ценности залагат, достигнали просветление, става ясно от книгата на Пол Тордай!
Чарли Съмърс е антипод на героите, обект на ухажването от инвеститори на фондове. Той е неудачник, търсещ пътя в живота си и с каквото и да се захване, няма успех. Въпреки това, аналогията между него и тези от Сити-то е очевидна.
Докога това състояние на илюзорно благоденствие продължава, до какви прозрения достигат героите в книгата и на какви ценности залагат, достигнали просветление, става ясно от книгата на Пол Тордай!
Чарли Съмърс е антипод на героите, обект на ухажването от инвеститори на фондове. Той е неудачник, търсещ пътя в живота си и с каквото и да се захване, няма успех. Въпреки това, аналогията между него и тези от Сити-то е очевидна.
September 17, 2018
Another fantastic book from Paul Torday. If you want hard and fast meaningless action/thriller novels go elsewhere.
This is a subtle thought provoking book about how we fill our lives up with things that don’t really matter. Add on top of this fantastic underlying humour from Charlie with his dog food, beetroot and singing.
Best book I’ve read in years.
This is a subtle thought provoking book about how we fill our lives up with things that don’t really matter. Add on top of this fantastic underlying humour from Charlie with his dog food, beetroot and singing.
Best book I’ve read in years.
August 25, 2019
3.5
I liked this book. The characters felt very real, they all had flaws...
I enjoyed the thought-provoking about how we fill our lives up with things that don’t really matter, how we envy those who "have more" than us... and what truly matters in the end.
Wasn't happy with the ending. Not a book I'll re-read but happy I've read it and kept me entertained.
I liked this book. The characters felt very real, they all had flaws...
I enjoyed the thought-provoking about how we fill our lives up with things that don’t really matter, how we envy those who "have more" than us... and what truly matters in the end.
Wasn't happy with the ending. Not a book I'll re-read but happy I've read it and kept me entertained.
December 15, 2024
I quite enjoyed reading this but much of the plot was flagged from the start. I didn’t foresee the final denouement but neither was it entirely a surprise. The characters are fairly well developed and my interest in them was fairly well maintained. Nicely written but only three stars because it’s not ‘great’.
July 10, 2025
I love this author’s voice
It’s not a perfect story, slightly too obvious at times, but like with other books I love this author’s voice. His narrator always has a charm and an interesting way of looking at. To me, whatever the actual story, makes his novels enchanting every time.
It’s not a perfect story, slightly too obvious at times, but like with other books I love this author’s voice. His narrator always has a charm and an interesting way of looking at. To me, whatever the actual story, makes his novels enchanting every time.
January 1, 2018
After some internal wrangling I have plumped for 3 stars. The story really only deserves 2 in my opinion as the characters are quite flat and the storyline dull. However, despite this, I actually enjoyed reading it - a gentle, undemanding read at a busy time of year - so 3 stars it is!
February 10, 2019
A reasonably good juxtaposition between Charlie Summers and Eck. I came down in favour of Charlie having the life that was worth living - he was a honest but misguided player. He had a go.
Eck was just riding a temporary wave.
Eck was just riding a temporary wave.
August 31, 2019
Really enjoyed this. A bit different, well written. Thought it was going to be a bit tame at first but it got better and became quite a page turner. A moral story of greed, and a good twist at the end.
October 29, 2024
3.5 stars - I enjoyed the book but it was a bit repetitive in its inference to the financial crash and finished in quite a sad way highlighting the tediousness of life. Eck was a decent narrator if lacking in depth as a character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
I enjoyed this story. It's an ironic and joyful tale of human nature and the decisions people make, followed by consequences that are unexpected to many of the characters.
The title is a misnomer, really. Charlie is not hopeless.
The title is a misnomer, really. Charlie is not hopeless.
March 20, 2017
Always been a Torday fan and this one didn't fail to deliver.
January 24, 2018
Paul Torday seems to have a habit of having a very slow start to his books.
Although this was interesting I did not feel compelled to keep picking it up to read
Although this was interesting I did not feel compelled to keep picking it up to read
May 6, 2018
An enjoyable read
July 30, 2018
Whilst I can’t fault the writing I didn’t gel with any of the characters or the subject matter as I imagine in a couple of months time I will be hard pushed to remember much about it.
August 5, 2018
I absolutely loved it! I am so sad that Paul is no longer among us. Perhaps he is writing in the Great Beyond... I certainly hope so!
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