Friday 16 November 2007

Gents - a review.




A little while ago DJ recommended a book to me which I promised I would read and write a review. This isn't something I'd done before and was a little reticent in case I hated the book and then had to slate it. Fortunately my worries were unfounded as I thoroughly enjoyed reading GENTS by Warwick Collins.



To be honest if I'd seen the book and picked it up I'd have probably put it straight back on the shelf. The cover is a row of large white sinks affixed to a sterile tiled wall with the promise of GENTS a novel. I've been in plenty of gents toilets in my time, most of which were very unsavoury, so why on earth would I want to read a novel about one?

Nevertheless I sat down with a large mug of tea, the book and a hint of trepidation. Apart from one trip to the loo (must buy smaller mugs) I didn't move from my spot until I finished it. Granted the book only has 172 pages but it was wonderfully written, I was able to transport myself into the world of EZ, Jason and Reynolds. By the end of the fifth chapter I had decided I knew how the story would end, I was wrong!

Gents held some form of nostalgia for me; not the fact I once got locked in a public toilet when my penny got stuck, or the time late at night two men emerged from the same cubicle causing me no end of consternation but for the BBC series of the Seventies/early Eighties, Play for Today. This tale would have slotted in there nicely portraying an unsavoury part of life in a serious, sympathetic and humorous way!

If you get an oppourtunity read a copy of Gents by Warwick Collins, you won't be disappointed!

7 comments:

katy said...

should have read this before i went to the library, will have a look out for it next time, always appriciate a good recomendation for a good read, thanks

Kahless said...

I saw DJ's recommend too. But the title is so unappealing...

DJ Kirkby said...

It is such a great book! Kahless, I think you'd like the blatent messages in the story...

Chris King said...

H I; Well worth a read.

K; I wouldn't have gone for it from the title.
On the Maclaren rant you should have left it up! If anyone is entitled to rant about him it's you seeing the amount of money you spend following them all over the world!!

Kahless said...

I will repost the McClaren post when we lose to Croatia on wednesday!

Did you see what I wrote? Do you agree that he seems to watch a different game to the rest of us? He reckoned we could have scored loads of goals on friday; my arse!

Chris King said...

K; I didn't see what you wrote but we wont lose on wednesday. He'll be redeemed by a Beckham wonder goal and it will all be forgotten until the next time!

Kahless said...

Chopski, I know it is only 1/2 time but probably not too early given our performance to say that I will repost my McClaren rant. With a little bit more added.
Hate to say I told you so!
:-)