coops456's review against another edition
4.0
Don't be put off by the lurid cover! This is a funny and well-written book.
olivurrreads's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gavreads's review against another edition
The first thing you notice about Julian Clary’s debut novel, Murder Most Fab, is the bright pink cover. It lights up shelf. If you want a book to standout then this is the way to go and as its author isn’t known for being subtle it suites him perfectly. The question is how does the cover match the contents of the book?
I have mixed feelings about MMF. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought it was going to a light-hearted, joke-ridden-romp through the life of a TV star from rising star to fallen angel. But instead we have an outrageous exploration of fame that sucks the life out of someone who can’t escape his first love and has no way out of the life he lives.
The whole book is Jonny D’s retelling of his rise and fall. His life as a country boy who turns to prostitution in London and then finds fame on children’s TV. This though cannot be done without the help of enough coke to keep his audience high for life, lots of man-on-man sex and a few unfortunate deaths alone the way.
It’s a fun read. The voice of Jonny is enjoyable and easy to get on with. The writing is clean and crisp giving enough information to keep everything moving along, not lingering on the sticky details, with just enough of a flavour so you know what’s going on.
For me it’s let down slightly in some of the stranger plot twists and turns but I’ll forgive that for the emotional journey that Clarey took me on. And I’m always more forgiving of first novels than ones by more seasoned writers. Plotting takes practice.
It’s not going to win any literary prizes but it’s a surprisingly fun way to spend an evening or two. It’s also an interesting commentary from the other side on the realities of celebrity as what you see isn’t really what you get. And if I was Jonny I’d have pushed Catherine off a bridge round about page 181.
As Mr Clary can definately write and has a way with words I have high hopes that he’ll florish even more with his next book.
I have mixed feelings about MMF. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought it was going to a light-hearted, joke-ridden-romp through the life of a TV star from rising star to fallen angel. But instead we have an outrageous exploration of fame that sucks the life out of someone who can’t escape his first love and has no way out of the life he lives.
The whole book is Jonny D’s retelling of his rise and fall. His life as a country boy who turns to prostitution in London and then finds fame on children’s TV. This though cannot be done without the help of enough coke to keep his audience high for life, lots of man-on-man sex and a few unfortunate deaths alone the way.
It’s a fun read. The voice of Jonny is enjoyable and easy to get on with. The writing is clean and crisp giving enough information to keep everything moving along, not lingering on the sticky details, with just enough of a flavour so you know what’s going on.
For me it’s let down slightly in some of the stranger plot twists and turns but I’ll forgive that for the emotional journey that Clarey took me on. And I’m always more forgiving of first novels than ones by more seasoned writers. Plotting takes practice.
It’s not going to win any literary prizes but it’s a surprisingly fun way to spend an evening or two. It’s also an interesting commentary from the other side on the realities of celebrity as what you see isn’t really what you get. And if I was Jonny I’d have pushed Catherine off a bridge round about page 181.
As Mr Clary can definately write and has a way with words I have high hopes that he’ll florish even more with his next book.
cm93's review against another edition
4.0
I was expecting a camp, sorta trashy read, but this surprised me by being both genuinely funny and a little tragic. Though, I can't help but think Tim doesn't deserve Johnny's devotion.
lydia_reads's review against another edition
3.0
When you're studying an English degree sometimes you need something light to take your mind of all the really heavy existential stuff; this is a perfect example of that thing!
Very cheesy and totally depraved, this is exactly the sort of read I thought it'd be. Don't take it too seriously though and it'll give you a few laughs and a lot of light relief!
Very cheesy and totally depraved, this is exactly the sort of read I thought it'd be. Don't take it too seriously though and it'll give you a few laughs and a lot of light relief!
sillyolddaniel's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
haldoor's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeously done! Julian Clary has a real way with words and brings the easy and naive Johnny to life so well. I could virtually see the betrayal coming, but it was so perfectly executed that I think the reader was supposed to see it coming while Johnny did not. Hilarious, touching, sexy and a nicely rounded out story to my mind.
wild_night_in's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Murder
gemmabrown84's review against another edition
2.0
This was quite possible one of the most random books I have ever read. I picked it up in a hotel as it was the only one in English.
The story was ok and quite entertaining, but a bit too much for me. There were a few too many references to a lot of crude things, which I guess I should have expected being written by Julian Clary. I am not really sure I would recommend this book, but i think you have to read it to understand my review on the randomness of the story.
The story was ok and quite entertaining, but a bit too much for me. There were a few too many references to a lot of crude things, which I guess I should have expected being written by Julian Clary. I am not really sure I would recommend this book, but i think you have to read it to understand my review on the randomness of the story.