karenbuttle's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Mr Finchley discovers not only his native land, but more about himself and others on his journey. The writing is often beautiful in the descriptive passages.
indianajane's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
cindypager's review against another edition
4.0
Edgar Finchley is a middle-aged, middle class office worker in London who's about to take his first vacation (or Holiday, as the Brits say) to Margate.
But while minding someone's car, Finchley falls fast asleep in the back seat and is suddenly whisked away to a very, very different sort of vacation than he'd planned.
Once he's able to stop worrying about Margate, Finchley relaxes into a wondrous (and sometimes dangerous)) adventure across England.
This is a charming and delightful romp..
But while minding someone's car, Finchley falls fast asleep in the back seat and is suddenly whisked away to a very, very different sort of vacation than he'd planned.
Once he's able to stop worrying about Margate, Finchley relaxes into a wondrous (and sometimes dangerous)) adventure across England.
This is a charming and delightful romp..
cindypager's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher.
This was a delightful read about a middle-aged office worker who's scheduled to go on holiday (what the Brits call a vacation) but things don't go quite as planned 😊
This was a delightful read about a middle-aged office worker who's scheduled to go on holiday (what the Brits call a vacation) but things don't go quite as planned 😊
thenovelbook's review against another edition
2.0
An odd book, made up of one madcap adventure after another. Highly episodic. The characters mostly feel like caricatures, except Mr Finchley himself has a bit more realness to him. Although he is *just* naive enough to keep landing in some bizarre situations, he's intelligent enough to deal with them.
This is a book you have to be in the right mood for. It's not quite my cup of tea, but you might enjoy it if you like the sounds of a book that's somewhere in the ballpark of PG Wodehouse but with occasional forays into more profound thought.
This is a book you have to be in the right mood for. It's not quite my cup of tea, but you might enjoy it if you like the sounds of a book that's somewhere in the ballpark of PG Wodehouse but with occasional forays into more profound thought.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
A light hearted book set in more innocent times where Mr Finchley, a solicitor who has never taken a holiday sets off for 3 weeks in Margate. Things go wrong from the start - op perhaps not - as Mr Finchley gets involved in a series of escapades none of which involve Margate at all. An enjoyable book with humour and likeable rogues. Ideal for undemanding holiday reading.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this gentle and funny book. Even if it was written in the '30s of last century it aged well and it's still a pleasant and entertaining read.
I loved the characters and I loved the descriptions.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the characters and I loved the descriptions.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
booksare42's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advance copy of this book from Net Galley and Farrago in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun little read, full of an older, more gentle kind of humour. Mr. Finchley is a solicitor’s clerk who goes on a vacation for the first time in his life. He was expecting to spend his vacation relaxing in a typical vacation town but ends up on a cross-country adventure full of unexpected situations and interesting characters.
My favourite thing about this book is Mr. Finchley. I enjoyed watching him grow as a person as he discovered England. I liked that he became more confident with each situation he faced and that he kept on pushing himself to experience new things.
My only complaint about this book is that it was all repetitive. Mr. Finchley finds himself in a new situation, usually a bad one, he meets someone, and they help each other, and then he goes off on the next part of his adventure. Fortunately, the cast of characters that he met were all unique and interesting, so the repetitiveness didn’t bother me too much.
Overall, this was a fun little read. It made me laugh a few times, and it left me curious enough to want to read the second and third books. I recommend this to someone who is looking for something quick and lighthearted.
This was a fun little read, full of an older, more gentle kind of humour. Mr. Finchley is a solicitor’s clerk who goes on a vacation for the first time in his life. He was expecting to spend his vacation relaxing in a typical vacation town but ends up on a cross-country adventure full of unexpected situations and interesting characters.
My favourite thing about this book is Mr. Finchley. I enjoyed watching him grow as a person as he discovered England. I liked that he became more confident with each situation he faced and that he kept on pushing himself to experience new things.
My only complaint about this book is that it was all repetitive. Mr. Finchley finds himself in a new situation, usually a bad one, he meets someone, and they help each other, and then he goes off on the next part of his adventure. Fortunately, the cast of characters that he met were all unique and interesting, so the repetitiveness didn’t bother me too much.
Overall, this was a fun little read. It made me laugh a few times, and it left me curious enough to want to read the second and third books. I recommend this to someone who is looking for something quick and lighthearted.
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful! Takes you back to a much simpler time. Loved the adventures!
polyhy_14's review against another edition
5.0
Written in a simpler time, without internet or other electronic devices, this delightfully bucolic book is full of gentle wisdom and humour, and the descriptions of the countryside in the south west of England are beautifully written. A real joy to read, from start to finish.