Helpful Score: 4
It is almost like he was channeling House ten years before he would play him. I love Hugh Laurie. Bursted out laughing when I read the opening line! :)
Helpful Score: 3
When one realizes that not only is Laurie an accomplished comedic actor, musicician, director, nationally ranked oarsman and writer of this HILARIOUS book, it is hard to understand how he can complain of having "a pretty boring life". Lucky for us he thinks so, or he wouldn't have written it.
The characters are well drawn, the dialogue crisp, the action heart-stopping, the situations "larger than life". I defy anyone reading this to not want to see it realized on film. But, the book is not JUST funny, it cuts pretty close to the bone about war, greed, the nature of truth and honesty, the illusive causes of love...there's a lot to chew on in between the guffaws and giggles.
Be forewarned that this is definately an "adult" book. Our lovely and funny main character swears like a sailor, as do most of the other characters - even the female protagonists. There's swearing, sex, action and violence, believe me, it's a great, fun read. It's going to be a great, fun movie!
The characters are well drawn, the dialogue crisp, the action heart-stopping, the situations "larger than life". I defy anyone reading this to not want to see it realized on film. But, the book is not JUST funny, it cuts pretty close to the bone about war, greed, the nature of truth and honesty, the illusive causes of love...there's a lot to chew on in between the guffaws and giggles.
Be forewarned that this is definately an "adult" book. Our lovely and funny main character swears like a sailor, as do most of the other characters - even the female protagonists. There's swearing, sex, action and violence, believe me, it's a great, fun read. It's going to be a great, fun movie!
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book!! Very, very funny, but you have to read it carefully to get all the humor, some of it is subtle, though some is really laugh out loud in public funny. I hope he writes more.
Helpful Score: 2
Hugh Laurie (Jeeves & Wooster, House M.D.) is a funny man. In "The Gun Seller" he turns his quirky sense of humor to the spy novel and succeeds brilliantly. This is not your average Le Carre or Tom Clancy take on the well-loved genre, so be prepared!
Helpful Score: 2
Believe it or not, I'm one of the few people on the face of the planet who has never seen "House" ... so I had no pre-conceptions when I started this book.
I have to say that I enojoyed it tremedously - the story was well-written and the characters wonderfully developed. And although I would have been happy if it ended about 100 pages before it did, it still left me wanting more ...
I would not be surprised to find that Hugh Laurie is a fan of the classic "Saint" stories, because his wit and style reminded me oh-so-much of the Leslie Charteris originals ...
I have to say that I enojoyed it tremedously - the story was well-written and the characters wonderfully developed. And although I would have been happy if it ended about 100 pages before it did, it still left me wanting more ...
I would not be surprised to find that Hugh Laurie is a fan of the classic "Saint" stories, because his wit and style reminded me oh-so-much of the Leslie Charteris originals ...
Helpful Score: 1
This book is awesome! I have just read it, and its the best book I have read in a very long time! Hugh Laurie's style is very light and full of good natured pokes at Americans and Brits alike. The lead character is something of a cross between Bertie Wooster, James Bond and Dr. Gregory House. A spy thriller that breaks all molds of the "traditional" spy book with humor, sarcasm and Laurie's British wit! :)
Helpful Score: 1
Extremely witty writing, and a clever plot. Much more than I'd expect from an actor.
Helpful Score: 1
A fun spy spoof!
Very entertaining if you like both mysteries and dry British wit...which I do. Hugh Laurie's voice comes through loud and clear. Can't wait to read more of his work.
Hugh Laurie, a/k/a "House, M.D.," sets his talents and his characteristic sardonic sarcasm to the written page in the little thriller. If you like House, you'll like reading this. The only thing better would be if Hugh Laurie read this in audiobook form.
If you love British humor and/or Hugh Laurie's performance as Dr. Gregory House, you'll love The Gun Seller. It was a great book, but my only nitpick is that it was really carefully written and requires -- deserves! -- careful reading so that you can catch all of the witty lines that would zing right by, unnoticed and unappreciated, with a more cursory reading.
British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie's [star of "House"] first book is a spot-on spy spoof about hapless ex-soldier Thomas Lang, who is drawn unwittingly and unwillingly into the center of a dangerous James Bond-like plot of international terrorists, arms dealing, high-tech weapons, and CIA spooks. You may recall having seen Laurie in the English television series Jeeves and Wooster; Laurie played Bertie Wooster, the clutzy hero of the P.G. Wodehouse comic novels that originated those characters. The lineage from Wodehouse's Wooster to Laurie's Lang is clear, and, if you like Wodehouse, you'll probably love The Gun Seller. --Amazon.com
A delightful first novel by the British actor, comedian, and author of the television series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie." In this spoof (of sorts) of the spy genre, Laurie's appealing turns of phrase will grab readers from the first paragraph. Thomas Lang, formerly of the Scots Guard and currently a freelance bodyguard/man for hire, is offered an assassination job. He indignantly refuses, attempts to warn the victim, and is soon embroiled in undercover work for the British government, CIA operatives, arms dealers, and terrorists. Those who enjoy action or spy novels will be swept along in the events... The author pokes gentle, good-natured fun at the foibles and characteristics of British and Americans alike, as well as his hero, bureaucrats, terrorists, diplomats, and just about everyone else. In a tone reminiscent of Lawrence Sanders's "McNally" series, the light, frothy humor is infectious. A quick read, with an engaging, capable hero and lots of plot twists...--Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library.
A delightful first novel by the British actor, comedian, and author of the television series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie." In this spoof (of sorts) of the spy genre, Laurie's appealing turns of phrase will grab readers from the first paragraph. Thomas Lang, formerly of the Scots Guard and currently a freelance bodyguard/man for hire, is offered an assassination job. He indignantly refuses, attempts to warn the victim, and is soon embroiled in undercover work for the British government, CIA operatives, arms dealers, and terrorists. Those who enjoy action or spy novels will be swept along in the events... The author pokes gentle, good-natured fun at the foibles and characteristics of British and Americans alike, as well as his hero, bureaucrats, terrorists, diplomats, and just about everyone else. In a tone reminiscent of Lawrence Sanders's "McNally" series, the light, frothy humor is infectious. A quick read, with an engaging, capable hero and lots of plot twists...--Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library.
