SYNOPSIS
On the brink of forty, newly single with a failed business, Philip thought he’d reached an all-time low when a topple on a London street lays him literally flat. So, bedbound and bored, Philip starts to write the story of his life. But the mundane catalogue of seaside holidays, broken relationships and unspoken truths, reveals more surprises, both comic and touching, than Philip or his family ever bargained for. Even, perhaps, a happy ending.

This is a first for me, not having read anything by this author before, and I am pleasantly surprised.
This is what I'd say a typical story of an English family, told by our anti-hero, Philip, who, recovering from a back injury caused by an accident with a chip on the walkway, brings us in his past, when he decides to spend his boring convalescence time writing about his life and family, because of a bet he did with his brother Raymond on the last New Years Eve family reunion. A chapter about his childhood and his relationship with the family members, especially his parents, is alternated to a chapter that brings us to Philip's present life, the girlfriend from New Zealand, the work colleagues at the bookshop (it slightly reminded me of BLACK BOOKS somehow!), his trouble with the Inland Revenue and the bailiff, and so much more. Very entertaining and funny, at times a bit sad, but just like real life, and it reads so well... I am indeed pleased!
I don't want to reveal more of the plot of the book now... so I better stop here and say that if I ever see another book by Clare Chambers, I will be happy to give it a go, having had such a pleasant surprise with this one!

And now, the book is ready to travel to redhouse...she's had it on her wish list for a while, and it's time to fulfil this wish now. Happy reading!

A lovely RABCK!
Thank you so much. I've read a couple of Clare Chambers books and have enjoyed them very much. I look forward to reading this one.

An excellent story, well told with memorable characters. Philip reminded me very much of a friend of mine, also called philip. I'm so glad it ended the way it did.

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