technomage's review against another edition
3.0
Funny sort of read this. I had never heard of the author or the book before but spotted it in my local library. Its described as jeeves meets 007 but this distorts its style. Its a light read, a bit silly and takes a bit of time to get used to the authors style but its a bit of fun and I am intrigued by what the next book in the series will be like.
dajna's review against another edition
2.0
Boring. So-o-o boring.
The excellent choice of words doesn't make up for such a messy plot.
Next book, please
The excellent choice of words doesn't make up for such a messy plot.
Next book, please
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
According to a friend in London, this book has been a cult classic in Great Britain since its publication in 1973. Charlie Mortdecai is the anti-Wooster and his valet, Jock Strapp, is the anti-Jeeves. Mortdecai is a shady art dealer who drinks whiskey for breakfast and who is being chased by both the good guys and the bad guys because he is in possession of a stolen Goya. Charlie Mortdecai is a charming cad with questionable morals whose adventures span England, Ireland, and the United States. A very entertaining read.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
Not going to be pursuing this series.
Not terrible just not super enjoyable, though funny in parts, crude in others, but just meh
Not terrible just not super enjoyable, though funny in parts, crude in others, but just meh
snoakes7001's review against another edition
5.0
This was a Goodreads first reads giveaway. To be honest, if I hadn't had a free copy, I probably wouldn't have read it. But it's got an endorsement on the cover from Stephen Fry, so I reckoned it had to be worth a punt.
It's jolly good fun - Charlie Mortdecai is a totally over the top character. I gather Johnny Depp will be playing the role in a forthcoming film, and I can well see why it would appeal to him. Imagine the roguishness of Lovejoy, coupled with the resourcefulness of Richard Hannay, add a dollop of Bertie Wooster and you're about there. The story rattles along (somewhat implausibly in places but who cares?) and the ending? Well it left me wanting to read the next one.
It's jolly good fun - Charlie Mortdecai is a totally over the top character. I gather Johnny Depp will be playing the role in a forthcoming film, and I can well see why it would appeal to him. Imagine the roguishness of Lovejoy, coupled with the resourcefulness of Richard Hannay, add a dollop of Bertie Wooster and you're about there. The story rattles along (somewhat implausibly in places but who cares?) and the ending? Well it left me wanting to read the next one.
dmkash's review against another edition
3.0
Read this book after seeing the movie. They are SO DIFFERENT!! Other than the names and a few plot points, this is nothing like the movie.
That said, it was very good. I felt like the characters were a bit muddled and there were things about the plot that didn't make sense. The ending felt like the author painted himself into a corner.
However, I loved the writing and the voice of Mortdecai. I'm going to read the rest just for that!
That said, it was very good. I felt like the characters were a bit muddled and there were things about the plot that didn't make sense. The ending felt like the author painted himself into a corner.
However, I loved the writing and the voice of Mortdecai. I'm going to read the rest just for that!
misterg65's review against another edition
2.0
I saw this in a real bookshop and it was one of the recommended reads from The Management. "Bertie Wooster meets ".
I was intrigued, but not enough to pay the full paper price, so a Kindle purchase it was. I wish I hadn't bothered. The story is OK (art thief gets caught up in all sorts of trouble) but the style was the problem in my opinion. Phrasing and phrases from other languages left me wondering what was going on, especially as the dictionary and wikipedia apps on the Kindle didn't help (Before you ask; yes I do have an education!). It only goes to show that only Wodehouse could write like Wodehouse.
The end of the book was a bit of a let down, too. Not going to spoil it, but it seemed rushed.
The rest of the series? I thing I will avoid it like a jolly plague of aunts (sic), what?
I was intrigued, but not enough to pay the full paper price, so a Kindle purchase it was. I wish I hadn't bothered. The story is OK (art thief gets caught up in all sorts of trouble) but the style was the problem in my opinion. Phrasing and phrases from other languages left me wondering what was going on, especially as the dictionary and wikipedia apps on the Kindle didn't help (Before you ask; yes I do have an education!). It only goes to show that only Wodehouse could write like Wodehouse.
The end of the book was a bit of a let down, too. Not going to spoil it, but it seemed rushed.
The rest of the series? I thing I will avoid it like a jolly plague of aunts (sic), what?
bookwormerica's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. I see the library has the rest for free. I may read them
jonathanrobert's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0