Reviews on A Calling for Charlie Barnes (2)

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Hilarious? No. Touching? Yes

A Calling for Charlie Barnes

I really expected this to be a laugh-out-loud read. It isn't. At least, not in my opinion. It is funny, but only in the rather painful way that life can be a funny old thing. I suppose we sometimes laugh because things hurt. There's plenty of irony, and the occasional mildly amusing moment - and yes, I suppose one could say it is satirical. All the same, I found it rather sad. Poor Charlie wants so much to be a good person - when he remembers to - and he's not averse to creating false impressions for the sake of being liked. As a result, everyone sees him differently, and even he isn't too sure about who he really is. The book is written in a conversational tone and I found it easy to get into and enjoy. The tale has its twists and although Charlie is something of a loose cannon, I think many people would identify with him and like him as I did. I'd be interested to know whether anyone finds this "hilarious." Perhaps my sense of humour is at fault...

Satire on the American Dream

A Calling for Charlie Barnes

This very funny and insightful story follows the life of Charlie Barnes who is a prototypical loser with 5 wives, 4 children and over 40 jobs - his nickname is 'Steady Boy'. He has tried to be an ethical financial advisor, and an inventor of a frisbee toupe. - nothing he tries works. and when he believes he is dying of cancer he attempts to mend his relationships, with all kind of unexpected results. A great read.

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