Fin

by James Delingpole

'Save Our Sharks says the new kiddie-friendly cartoon propaganda poster in the atrium of my local swimming pool. And I'm "Fuck. Is nothing sacred?" I mean, whatever next? Save Our Cancerous Cells?' So opens Joe's story. He's a man who looks like he's got it he's solvent, his career's going a dream and his girlfriend's a total babe. But something nasty is stalking his karma and fear is fast becoming terror. Black-eyed killer sharks are after him and the razor jaws of a Great White (Charcharodon Carcharias) are closing in on him. 'Here's a rare thing, a contemporary novel that's genuinely funny, cleverly conceived and written with a great deal of skill and dexterity..."Fin" is slick, pacy and easy to read. Above all, though, it's funny. Much to my annoyance, I laughed out loud several times - and in public too' - John Preston, "Sunday Telegraph".

Genres: Fiction, Modern

First published June 8, 2001

About the author

James Delingpole is a British journalist and novelist.

Reviews

[John Samuel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book from my local library for 5p. A bargain I thought.

Starts well and as the title implies it is about sharks or our protagonist's fear of them.

Joe Davenport, wannabe hero of book, you are a cock. However much coke, booze or skunk you consume I am not going to like you. Even the sharks won't eat you. I will never have sympathy for you.

This watery excuse for a novel lacks any bite.

Sorry to condescend but it had to be done occasionally.

That said, I actually laughed out loud and nearly enjoyed reading FIN.

Can I have my 5p back please?

[Andrew Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very 90's laddish.  Lots of drug taking, shagging, opinions on music, fashion, who's made it into your w#nk bank etc.. (note spelling for Gilbert's moral sensibilities).  Lots of interesting facts on sharks and shark attacks.  A few odious characters, and generally quite funny.

[Bill Boswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man who is obsessed with thinking he is going to be eaten by sharks, goes through life, not really happy in his relationship, job and all until he meets a woman at a party also obsessed by sharks

its a fun read, but feels a bit 80's lad culture and a bit dated

[Angel Serrano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un joven periodista está obsesionado por los tiburones. En el Londres de final del siglo XX, con drogas, clubes, el inevitable amigo homosexual, la infidelidad y la nueva pareja, se enfrentará a su peor miedo en la costa de Sudáfrica, para superar su fobia.

[Luna Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so hard to describe, but definitely worth it. An exciting and different read about a man that has to come to terms with a fear that control his life

(3,5) stars