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The Satsuma Complex Hardcover – 27 Oct. 2022
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‘Funny, clever and sweet… there is a lot of Mortimer’s ridiculousness’ – Sunday Times
‘The much loved comic proves adept at noirish fiction in a debut whose surrealist humour sets it apart’ – Observer
‘Like Spike Milligan, Mortimer has managed to use a novel for his distinctive comedic voice’ – The Telegraph
My name is Gary. I’m a thirty-year-old legal assistant with a firm of solicitors in London. To describe me as anonymous would be unfair but to notice me other than in passing would be a rarity. I did make a good connection with a girl, but that blew up in my face and smacked my arse with a fish slice.
Gary Thorn goes for a pint with a work acquaintance called Brendan. When Brendan leaves early, Gary meets a girl in the pub. He doesn’t catch her name, but falls for her anyway. When she suddenly disappears without saying goodbye, all Gary has to remember her by is the book she was reading: The Satsuma Complex. But when Brendan goes missing, Gary needs to track down the girl he now calls Satsuma to get some answers.
And so begins Gary’s quest, through the estates and pie shops of South London, to finally bring some love and excitement into his unremarkable life…
A page-turning story with a cast of unforgettable characters, The Satsuma Complex is the brilliantly funny first novel by bestselling author and comedian Bob Mortimer.
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherGallery UK
- Publication date27 Oct. 2022
- Dimensions15.3 x 2.55 x 23.4 cm
- ISBN-101398521205
- ISBN-13978-1398521209
Frequently bought together
![The Satsuma Complex](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Nc0i31m2L._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
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From the Publisher
![The Satsuma Complex By Bob Mortimer](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media-library-service-media/a52c6452-bcd6-4bdd-a826-a5caf55eb076.__CR0,0,970,300_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg)
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Product description
Review
'Funny, clever and sweet – and the "Richard Osman effect" will make it a bestseller ... The good news is that there is a lot of Mortimer’s ridiculousness in all this. Gary loves a regular chat with a squirrel in his playground, and his favourite chat-up lines include, “Have you ever needed to use a tourniquet in your work environment?”' ― Sunday Times
'As in his television work, Mortimer conveys an infectious joy in his own oddity, and, as his recent bestselling memoir And Away… showed, there is a sweetness to his worldview that makes his writing gently poignant. And although I can’t imagine non-fans emerging anything other than baffled, those who are used to his brand of weirdness will find that the book works well as a thriller, too. Like Spike Milligan, the only vintage comic whose fiction is still read, Mortimer has managed to use a novel as a vehicle for his distinctive comedic voice.' ― The Telegraph
'An offbeat romantic thriller, as if Salvador Dali scripted a Hitchcock film... It's as a comic novel that the book is most memorable. It contains the funniest description of somebody having a bath that you're ever likely to read… But there is genuine tension at times, and I came to believe in and care about the central characters. More than just a tour of the wonderfully weird mind of Mortimer, it works - for the most part - as a novel.' ― Daily Express
'I’m delighted to report it’s as hilarious and surreal as you would expect… stuffed with laugh-out-loud moments.' ― Daily Mail
'With Mortimer’s self-mocking wit, plus an audio version read by Sally Phillips, alongside the man himself, what’s not to love?' ― Saga, Book of the Month
'The first novel from comedy legend Bob Mortimer is as funny, idiosyncratic and full of squirrels as you’d expect. It’s also really rather lovely.' ― HEAT, Book of the Month
'Mr Clown Shoes. Lassoo the dog. The corn cob dongle. Just three hilarious elements of The Satsuma Complex – a surprisingly serious debut novel from Would I Lie To You? and Gone Fishing comedy star Bob Mortimer. The stellar success of his surreal and semi-truthful autobiography And Away… caused clamour for a fully fictional follow-up, and Mortimer fulfils the brief with a remarkably dark and gritty tale of sink estate murder, law and order mystery, and honey-trap romance. His distinctive tone and bizarrely British humour sing from every page, with the story swinging from side-splitting set-pieces to moments of real pathos and high drama. It’s a bit unusual, but you’ll love it.' ― Independent
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Gallery UK; First Edition (27 Oct. 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1398521205
- ISBN-13 : 978-1398521209
- Dimensions : 15.3 x 2.55 x 23.4 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 9,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 1,661 in Humorous Fiction
- 2,365 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- 3,873 in Contemporary Fiction (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
![Bob Mortimer](https://cdn.statically.io/img/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/01Kv-W2ysOL._SY600_.png)
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the reading experience enjoyable with a neat storyline and clever plot twists. They also find the humor appropriate and wonderful. Readers describe the characters as well-described and believable. They praise the pacing as swift and the writing style as well constructed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book an enjoyable, brilliant, funny, witty, dark, full of twists and turns. They also say it's easy to read, amusing, and well written.
"...This humour is natural and not forced, it really is a superb read and I can’t recommend enough...." Read more
"...Bobs main character a solicitor is born from bobs passed. Enjoyable read with a good sense of humour as you would expect." Read more
"...So, to summarise, I'd venture to say it's a great book and would recommend you read it. Even if you don't think it'll be your thing." Read more
"Bob has a playful, enjoyable style of writing. I breezed through this book fairly quickly...." Read more
Customers find the humor in the book appropriate, quirky, and wonderful. They also appreciate the random silly points to laugh at.
"I have always found the author’s humour, characters and turns of phrase to be wonderful, but did doubt that it could be translated well into a novel...." Read more
"...Enjoyable read with a good sense of humour as you would expect." Read more
"...The story is multi-faceted and compelling. And, appropriately funny...." Read more
"...You honestly need to read the Satsuma Complex as it is an intelligent, funny and well written book...." Read more
Customers find the storyline very neat, with likeable characters. They also say the story rattles along nicely, making them smile. Readers also appreciate the humour, clever plot twists, and nice nods to modern day issues.
"...Even the wildlife! The story is multi-faceted and compelling. And, appropriately funny...." Read more
"...It was maybe a bit slight, but enjoyable enough with some good twists and turns." Read more
"...The storyline rattles along nicely and made me smile. Job done." Read more
"...Anyway- this is charming in parts but a bit too much random whimsy. Slightly lightweight story punctuated by random non sequiturs. Fairly disposable." Read more
Customers find the writing style easy to read and not complex. They also say the book is satisfying and enjoyable.
"...I was very happy to be wrong! It’s a pacey, page-turner of a book with humble, rounded characters you really root for...." Read more
"Bob has a playful, enjoyable style of writing. I breezed through this book fairly quickly...." Read more
"...to read the Satsuma Complex as it is an intelligent, funny and well written book. Best thing I have read since reading Bobs autobiography." Read more
"This is a well written and light whodunnit with twists and turns. It's very Bob Mortimer and some may not attach to his comedic style. I do...." Read more
Customers find the characters relatable, believable, and able to identify with them. They also appreciate the author's unique descriptive talent.
"...It’s a pacey, page-turner of a book with humble, rounded characters you really root for...." Read more
"...The characters are believable and you can identify with them. Even the wildlife! The story is multi-faceted and compelling. And, appropriately funny...." Read more
"...This was entirely different. Bob and Sally are both great at bringing the characters alive. The storyline rattles along nicely and made me smile...." Read more
"...It's warm hearted and funny, with well drawn characters. A great antidote to gloom if you're experiencing any of that at the moment." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book fast and funny. They also say it's a very funny story and love the characters.
"...I was very happy to be wrong! It’s a pacey, page-turner of a book with humble, rounded characters you really root for...." Read more
"...Good book, fast paced story." Read more
"Swift delivery and value for money" Read more
"...Highly recommend this novel which flows swiftly from beginning to end." Read more
Customers find the plot brilliant, clever, and gripping. They also mention that the book keeps them entertained and hooked with Bob's story.
"...I was very happy to be wrong! It’s a pacey, page-turner of a book with humble, rounded characters you really root for...." Read more
"...I did smile wryly but not the laughs. It was a good story, gripping at times...." Read more
"...In another, some sort of let down. Either way, it keeps the readers' attention...." Read more
"...I found this very funny with just the right amount of threat, it kept me guessing too,although I sometimes felt that Grace should knock Gary about..." Read more
Customers find the book boring, annoying, and slight. They also say the writing lacks TV whimsy and sparkle.
"...I breezed through this book fairly quickly. It was maybe a bit slight, but enjoyable enough with some good twists and turns." Read more
"...arc i was not expecting this writing from teh author, it lacks his TV whimsy and sparkle and it left me flat...." Read more
"Bit boring and passed it onto charity shop once read" Read more
"I gave up on this book around 7 th Chapter,it just started getting monotonous and boring,especially the conversations with the squirrel,just wasn’t..." Read more
Reviews with images
![A bit bonkers but then it's Bob](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/transparent-pixel._V192234675_.gif)
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Top reviews
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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The characters are believable and you can identify with them. Even the wildlife! The story is multi-faceted and compelling. And, appropriately funny. In many such stories, there are fallow bits you just read through to get to the good bits, but not so with this one. It's genuinely a book you really don't want to put down at any stage.
As a novel, frankly, it compares very favourably with other telly workers that have turned to writing. So I hope you continue to write. And maybe do some more of those fishing programmes. They're not half bad either.
So, to summarise, I'd venture to say it's a great book and would recommend you read it. Even if you don't think it'll be your thing.
Top reviews from other countries
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If you don't take yourself to seriously, then this is a book for you.
(Update) Just reread for the second time, and can comfirm it's still a bundle of joy and laughter.
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