A Singular Man
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Book Overview
What will happen to George Smith? Mysteriously rich and desperately lonely, George appears to be under attack from all quarters: his former wife and four horrible children are suing to get his money; his dipsomaniacal housekeeper is trying to arouse his carnal interest; his secretary, the beautiful, blond Miss Thomson, will barely give him the time of day. Making matters even worse are the threatening letters: Dear Sir: Only for the moment are we saying nothing. Yours, etc., Present Associates. Despite such precautions as a two-inch-thick surgical steel door and a bullet-proof limousine, Smith remains worried. So he undertakes to build a giant mausoleum, complete with plumbing, in which to live. Hunter S. Thompson called reading this book "like sitting down to an evening of good whisky and mad laughter in a rare conversation somewhere on the edge of reality."
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0871132656
ISBN13:9780871132659
Release Date:January 1994
Publisher:Atlantic Monthly Press
Length:408 Pages
Weight:0.90 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 5.5" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Brilliant
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Halfway through this book, I knew I had to get my hands on anything by JPD out there. It is that good. Laugh out loud funny. IMO the gents will enjoy this more than their female counterparts. This book went down like a super fine singlemalt scotch on a warm fall evening. One of the finest works these eyeballs have viewed. And they have seen much. Not to be missed.
Insanely Perfect
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I wish I had written this book, but I didn't, so I'm glad he did. On the rare occasion I bring the title up I am not surprised to find that no one's ever even heard of it's author. I still haven't met in person anyone else who has read this book. It's a perfect story, but not the kind I would read to my nieces or buy for my grandmother. I still recommend it to anyone who has ever thought that something's not quite right and they can't decide if the people they meet are really as convoluted and arrogant as they think, or if maybe it's just them. Anyone wants to read the greatest book of their life, well this might be it, so don't think too hard and try it.
humor that cuts like a knife.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
Donleavy's humor insists there is something to laugh about in this world, but then you realise that what you are laughing out-loud at is, at best, something disgusting, or rude, or utterly insane... chicken soup for the soul.
An Adventure where nothing happens
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
When I read "A Singular Man" all I wanted to be was like it's hero, George Smith. I think he has it all, money, a non-descript life and everyone wants him. Donleavy's style of mostly 2 or 3 three word, often verbless sentences captures the way we think perfectly, me anyway.
Great story, marvelous writing.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
Donleavy has always been one of the great writers of humor. I think this is the best of his output. He certainly (in a witty way) gives us the feeling of the world closing in on us and our hope of some escape (but to a moseleum?).
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