Out of Season
Ian Watson
language
(Lulu.com, Jan. 18, 2010)
Itās winter in Blackpool. The golden mileās just a mile and thereās no pleasure to be had on the beach but life goes on for the locals.Tony is eighteen and in love from the underpants out. The object of his desire is a barmaid but thereās one thing he needs to do before sheāll give him an all day pass to Mandyland- grow up.He stumbles across an opportunity to prove his manhood and, in doing so, falls into a nightmare of very large, nasty grown-ups who want to either kill him or use him to get someone else killed, so he panics.Enter Bene. Wise beyond his years and something of a guru he hatches a plan so utterly ridiculous that Tony rejects it out of hand and turns his back on his mateā¦ who goes ahead with it anyway.The whole story is heading towards a single night at the club. A night of violence. A night of secrets and lies and thatās just the staff. Everyone seems to have a plan that involves Tonyā¦ except Tony. Heās a man now alright but all he really wanted was a little ācharlesā with the increasingly shallow Mandy.He canāt run. He canāt trust anybody and the clock is ticking. Life isnāt a roller-coaster. Thereās no wooden figure at the entrance with, āIf youāre not as mature as me you canāt ride āAdulthoodā written above it. Now heās on it and canāt get off and thereās a massive drop ahead. All he can do is shut his eyes, hold on tight and prey he can still stand up when itās over.ā¦ oh, it would seem life is a roller-coaster after all. Out of Season is a British comedy in the Style of Ben Elton, Peter Kaye orRicky Gervais. It is crammed with one-liners and observations of life in this famous Northern Town. It's about the teenage need to be accepted as a grown up and the importance of friendship.The best book I have read this year! 21 Aug 2009by grahamkingThere is only one major problem when it comes to this book... it really is impossible to put down. Once I started to read, I would find moments in the day just to read another chapter. Its witty, packed with great one liners but also has heart and moves you at times. I really hope that the author and the book go on to bigger and better things.Really Enjoyed this book. 16 Jul 2009by lee.woolnerAn excellent book. Full of hilarious one liners and gags that made me snort to myself unexpectedly. Great story line that gets revealed bit by bit with unforeseen turns. Once it was all set up for the conclusion i had to wait a couple of days until i had the time to do it justice in one stretch.Love it!..... 3 Apr 2009by robbo121I must start by saying that 'normally' i'm not a reader BUT.... This is one of the truly funniest, engaging books around! From the setting of Blackpool to each character, it all seems to mould into the perfect read. Everything about this book is believable...I put this down to the style of writing of the author. Charming, laugh out loud funny, tense and even sentimental. A great find....A perfect read.A Superb read! 3 Apr 2009by stevetourswhat a quality, down to earth & hilarious read this is! All characters are fantastic whom Iām sure everyone must relate too, which you get to know very early on in the book. For me it was the end of chapter 3 that I knew I was going to have to finish this book in the one sitting. Basically I could not put this book down after a very curious Tony says....... 'no knickers eh!?' From then on for me it was a rollercoaster journey of belly laughter, sadness, one liners that the late great Tommy Cooper would be proud of & a constant dread as you realize that young Tony is getting himself deeper & deeper! I would highly recommend this book. One of the funniest engaging books I have ever read! Any plans for 'Out of Season 2' ???