Customer Reviews
I Was "Bothered" Just a "Spot"... 
2008-09-02
I was "bothered" just a "spot" by Mark Haddon's latest offering, and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why. Was the book funny? Yes, in quite a few parts. Did the book seem to portray flawed and fully human characters? Yes. Was the book engaging, plot-wise? Yes, very much so!
So why didn't I like it, or at least like it enough to give it more than 3 stars? Maybe it's because I'm an American and was confused by all the British slang. Maybe I got a little discombobulated trying to keep up with all the things the different characters were doing at the same time. Or maybe, just maybe, the characters all seemed too harsh, too unlovable, and too unsympathetic. I wasn't expecting "Full House" dynamics here, but neither was I expecting a family as quite without warmth as the Halls.
George Hall, as he tries not to lose his mind, is never treated very well by his immediate family even when he's completely lucid. Sure, George is irascible and far from perfect, but I felt, and only felt, for George.
What is Jean Hall doing "shagging" her husband's business colleague when she has a husband that truly does love her even when not in his right mind? At the end of the book, she seems to resolve to stay with George more out of resignation than love, which is a terrible motive for doing so. Either you truly love someone, or you should leave them. So say I.
Katie Hall is the ultimate "Bridezilla", and her hapless fiance Ray doesn't even suspect it until the end. He still marries Katie, and I pity the future he'll have with her. Between Katie's temper tantrums and those of her young son, Jacob (not to mention wiping the latter's bottom), will Ray ever come to figure out that Katie doesn't really love him? (Note: Their 'falling in love' part doesn't seem convincing to me, Mr. Haddon.)
I didn't even mention Jamie, or the boyfriend that dumped him and then came back to him for--I still can't fathom what reason. What the dvukh?!?
My verdict: Skip this one, or borrow it from the library or your friends!
Nicely written but sags in the middle 2008-08-24
I read "A Spot of Bother" ostensibly for the purpose of airport entertainment and had not read Haddon's debut work "A Curious Incident" The good in this book as that the narrative flows effortlessly, and the voices of each character, especially around the wedding near the end is creative and enjoyable. Haddon has genuine sympathy for his characters and their various foibles. Detracting from it is that through the middle of the book George's voice is monotonous and depressing and the portrayal of Jamie the gay son is self obsessed with more gay action than I had bargained for. (Having enjoyed Colm Toibin's The Story of Night" I felt that the Jamie character was a bit too PC.)
That said the narrative style really is what carries the reader over the finish line.
One very funny book 
2008-05-29
This is one of the funniest books I have read in a long while. Mark Hadden has a great touch in pointing out the bizarre in every day life, in an appropriately understated way. Other reviewer have covered the stories and characters, so what I would add is that I found this book much funnier (laugh out lout funny) than some of the other reviewers.
Stuck with me for a long time... 2008-04-07
This book just had me. I have sooo much in common with the daughter. It's got a lot going on with the various family members but you become attached to each one of them and I always felt really concerned about how they were doing and where they were. Mark Haddon is a fabulous writer. I immediately gave it to my father when I was done with it and he loved it as well. I will be looking for more of his work.
The MBC Abbreviated Review 2008-03-27
The book, A Spot of Bother, by Mark Haddon, focuses on a novice retiree, George, the 61-years-old tyro who was struggling to shape up his new life. The author, a young gifted bloke, 46 years old to be exact, thinks through his characters' mind-sets like a surgeon incisively and produces a delightful novel. Mr. Bloom, presenting an abbreviated analysis of the book, discussed the relevance of all those ravishing characters: Jean, Katie, Jamie, Tony, and the funny pig-shaped notepad on the phone table; and, of course distraught George: here he ponders the role of Christianity in his life:
He looks around at the stained-glass lambs and the scale model of the crucified Christ and thought how ridiculous it all was, this desert religion transported wholesale to the English shires. Bank managers and P.E. teachers listening to stories about zithers and smiting and barley bread as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The book, humorous and entertainiing, was a big success in our book club.
Who cares about the Halls? 
2008-02-24
A Washington Post Best Book of the YearA Spot of Bother is Mark Haddon’s unforgettable follow-up to the internationally beloved bestseller
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
At sixty-one, George Hall is settling down to a comfortable retirement. When his tempestuous daughter, Katie, announces that she is getting married to the deeply inappropriate Ray, the Hall family is thrown into a tizzy. Unnoticed in the uproar, George discovers a sinister lesion on his hip, and quietly begins to lose his mind.
As parents and children fall apart and come together, Haddon paints a disturbing yet amusing portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely.
Hard to put your finger on 
2008-02-13
I did laugh out loud twice (which is rare for me when reading) and though I wouldn't go as far as to describe it as 'riotously funny' I could certainly see the humour amongst the madness throughout the book.
To start with I almost felt depressed myself at how miserable all the characters were. Not one of them seemed content with their life. There was just something about it though that kept me wanting to pick it up and read on and thankfully, about half way through each of them started to admit their discontent to themselves and actually do something about it.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable, expect maybe Jamie and Ray who were maybe the more balanced of them all.
I've given it four stars because I did like it and it was certainly more amusing than some 'domestic drama' books I've read but it's hard to put my finger on what I actually liked...maybe the fact that they weren't MY family!
Funny, touching, well written 2008-02-04
I thoroughly enjoyed A Curious Incident and am happy to report that I enjoyed this book almost as much. This is the story of a family, told from the thoughts of each. George is convinced he has cancer; we know at least that he's going mad. Jean is wondering how to keep up her affair with George's former colleague now that George is retired and around the house more. Katie is going full steam ahead with plans to marry Ray, but is starting to share her family's hesitations. Jamie agonizes over his relationship with his boyfriend Tony and how he doesn't want to bring him to the wedding.
The whole family is messed up and shallow, but slowly, with each very short chapter, we come to love them as much as we see they love one another. All the inner monologues are hilarious and ring true to each character, but George is especially well drawn. I really got the impression I was inside a madman's head!
The plot hums along too, as we speed toward Katie and Ray's on again, off again wedding. I found this book entertaining and skillfully written -- this family really puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional!"
A good holiday read 2008-01-21
This is the story of Kate's wedding. That seems straightforward enough, but she has a mother who is having an affair with her father's ex work colleague. Her father believes that he has cancer and cracks up with near disastrous consequences. Her brother is homosexual and worried about inviting his partner to the wedding. Actually, her brother is probably the most sane character in the whole book; or maybe his partner is. With all of these nutters around, the wedding may never happen. And if it does, there are bound to be ructions.
This book is just hilarious, Despite seeming to be very far-fetched, there are parts of the lives of each of the characters with which I am sure any of us can identify.
Once again, Mark Haddon succeeds in writing in a style that imitates him sitting in your front room telling you the story.
Just a very pleasant and easy read.
laughed out loud, glad i was home alone 2008-01-12
I savored this novel.
I enjoyed the family and felt as though I knew them so well that I should have been invited to the weding.
At one point I was glad to be home alone as I sat and laughed aloud, a lot,especially the days leading up to the wedding.
