Book Review: Chapter and Verse

Reviewed By: Jennifer Jordan

Chapter and Verse     Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC
Colin Bateman
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Humorous
2003, Headline Mystery Ireland -Humor/320 pages

You could hear me up and down the block when this book came in the post. The new Colin Bateman is here! The new Colin Bateman is here! I am very good at making a jerk of myself, but I had a particularly good reason that fine day. Colin Bateman is fantastic, and I had his latest book in my hands.

Ivan Connor is a novelist, the heartbeat of a generation, and a self-described icon of literature. His latest and greatest work, "Chapter and Verse" is done. It is a masterpiece. It is rejected. After eight novels, his publishing company, Winfrey, has decided the financial loosing streak that is Ivans literary career must end. At the same time, Francesca Brady, an Ivan-described hack, has a career that is in the stratosphere. Hes desperately in love with his ex-wife. He lives with his mommy (the only one to show up at his latest reading). But Ivan drunkenly stumbles upon the answer to all his problems. Give the people what they want. Its sort of illegal and he sort of has no idea what hes doing. And hes definitely in a lot of trouble.

Colin Bateman has a wit beyond compare. Everyone of his protagonist to date gets under my skin and drives me batty. And I adore them all. The plot in this book goes in multiple directions and Bateman manages to keep a tight reign. The jabs at the publishing industry, the oft repeated questions at signings and the mysterious world of authors are all fodder for his acerbic humor. Thank you, Mr. Bateman

Jennifer Jordan

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jennifer Jordan