Tom Sharpe - Sharp (e) mind. Brilliant author.

Tom Sharpe has an amazing humor. You know those laugh out loud moments? That's Tom Sharpe. If you enjoyed this, and haven't already read the Wilt series - you must.

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unfinished work.

the story built and built and just ended, I was disappointed as it just disolved.

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Not one of Sharpe's best

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, I'd find it difficult to recommend this book. I like Sharpe's humour and this book begins with the usual farce and mayhem that you would expect but the story seemed to peter out about three-quarters of the way through.

What was most disappointing about Tom Sharpe’s story?

The ending seemed to be cobbled together as if Sharpe had run out of ideas but needed to hit a deadline. I did not think it matched the threads developed in earlier parts of the story.

What about Michael Tudor Barnes’s performance did you like?

I thought his characterisation and consistency in the voices were excellent.

Was The Gropes worth the listening time?

A difficult one. The first half is well up to the usual standards of a Sharpe novel but it fades afterwards and, I think, the last quarter falls off a cliff. Taken overall, I'd have to say no. The Gropes is not on a par with the Wilt series, Blott on the Landscape or Porterhouse Blue.

Any additional comments?

One to avoid unless you are a Sharpe aficionado and prepared to accept a lesser story on that basis.

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cracking story brilliantly read

An excellently read audiobook of a lesser known Tom Sharpe book. just wish more were available!

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Leads its genus, bunot the height of Sharps genius

We'll narrated by Michael Barnes, but not Tom Sharpe at his wittiest best.
Still an intriguingly absurd farce in the Tom Sharpe fashion. However, the characters don't seem to be as well developed as those in the Wilt mild.
having read the book I hoped they would grow on me, but unfortunately didn't.
I've rated the book by comparision with other books of the author. So the standard is still far above the efforts of his peers of this comedy genus.

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brilliant

I loved it and think you will too. comedy gold. just sorry it's so short. Tom Sharpe is brilliant.

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not as good as he used to be.

and a terrible ending. I didnt laugh nearly as much as I used to at Tom Sharpe. Shame.

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Not up to the written word.

Somehow, Sharpe's books are best read as opposed to listened to. I'm sticking with the hard copies in future.

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The Gropes made me laugh out loud

I have to say the book started out very slowly, and I really wondered whether I should continue listening to it because it was really quite dull. But I’m glad I stuck with it because when it got funny it was very funny and so incredibly farcical that I was helpless with laughter. It’s impossible to talk about all the different characters and situations because there were so many intertwined. But I do recommend that you listen to this book it really was great.

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Amusing and easy listening

Would you try another book written by Tom Sharpe or narrated by Michael Tudor Barnes?

Yes I would try another book by Tom Sharpe. His writing usually holds the attention and brings many smiles, it is gentle humour and does not seek to hurt or wound..

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The description of the central character and the worship that his mother bestows on him is really amusing. He is not the brightest star in the fermament but ends up in a situation that is totally to his liking, through no effort of his own.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Michael Tudor Barnes?

Yes, excellent listening as the characters were all easy to identify through the differing types of speech.

Do you think The Gropes needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It did end up on a note that suggested a further book could be written now that the main character is in different circumstances and there are several areas that could be explored.

Any additional comments?

Rather short and ended before I expected it.

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