What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

Intriguing ..., 04 Nov 2008
... enough to keep on reading though utterly mind-boggling up to the very end.
It does include a fair amount of Blackadder-like dialogue, as I was hoping for, and a good deal of prep school and college banter. Correct, "No matter how much you shake it, the last drop always runs down you leg" is not Walton's Third Law, I do believe its Newton's Fourth since it has to do with gravity!?
Not an easy read - the upper end of the English language is thoroughly exploited if not directly challenged.
There's quite a lot of "gay stuff" as well. Skirting the invisible boundary Fry manages to stay on the right side of decency. If you are easily offended by sexual innuendo don't even bother.
Through a delicate balance between "funny ha ha" and "funny peculiar" Stephen Fry "lies" his way - in some respects I sincerely hope he does - through a very entertaining story that turns out to be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot himself.


Sorry I didn't get it!, 25 Oct 2008
I love Stephen Fry and really enjoyed 'Moab is my Washpot' so I was keen to read 'The Liar'. I was influenced to buy it after reading all the reviews on Amazon - it is this that made me want to provide my own review, as a counter-balance to all those who liked the book.

Firstly, I found the main character, Adrian Healey, utterly unlikeable. I wasn't interested in him, or his bizarre behaviour, so didn't really care what happened to him. I didn't particularly warm to any of the others, either. The humour derived from mocking the snobbery of the public school system is short-lived and not worth the wait.

I didn't see the point of the italicized chapters until towards the end of the book - by which time I was past caring.

The dénouement is very clever but I still felt cheated. I felt the whole thing could have been wrapped up much more quickly and would have made a more concise (and more interesting) short story, rather than a novel. By the end (particularly during the dull as dishwater cricket match) I was skim-reading - yet I still got the plot! Hardly the sign of a good novel.

It's a shame as, if this had been my first Stephen Fry book, I'd never pick up another. I'd recommend 'Moab is my Washpot' to anyone new to Fry's writings.


Almost Interesting..., 22 Oct 2008
I should preface this by saying 'I love Stephen Fry.' Despite being a heterosexual male, I would quite happily marry him just so I could enjoy a lifetime of his mild manners and witty repartees.

This being said, since I discovered Amazon's 'review' function I've tried to dissect books as objectively as possible. Therefore, I have to confess that The Liar was slightly disappointing for me.

Don't get me wrong: It's fantastically written. Fry's mastery of the language is quite simply art in motion, and the insight the work provides into the man himself is fascinating.

However... it's not very good, really.

I'm all for unconventional plot devices and disregarding standard narrative flow, but Fry's attempts at a disjointed style are immensely unsatisfying. Jumping between past and present interrupts the characters' natural development, and makes the story hard to follow. It also makes it hard to keep track of the sheer number of characters that Fry throws in.

Another issue I have is that Fry doesn't utilise his protaganist's compulsive lying tendencies enough. The parts where the character is lying - and is revealed to be as such at the end - are removed from the plot, so when his falsehoods are later revealed it is a massive anti-climax, as they have no bearing on what has actually occured during the novel.

Overall, I feel that this is a weak first attempt. It is certainly worth reading, but Fry has written far superior works to this. Therefore, I can't really recommend it, but will instead advise purchasing 'Moab is my Washpot', which is in essence a more impressive version of this. It also has the advantage of being a true autobiography, instead of vaguely wielding the autobiographical elements that make The Liar appealing. Or, if you'd rather read Fry's best fictional work, go for The Hippopotamus: although a strong stomach is required to get through it.

Weird definitely weird, 14 Apr 2008
After reading this book I felt confused. Yes it was funny in places and Mr Fry's literary style and prowess are undoubted. Why then can't he write a novel that coherently follows a storyline instead of flitting about like a fly on the proverbial griddle. It seems like he has written down all the points he wants to get across then got them to the publishers without sorting them into order as he was running out of time.
If this is his life story as some seem to suspect no wonder he is depressed. I was after reading it!

The journey is more enjoyable than the arrival, 05 Mar 2008
This is beautifully written and bears all the hallmarks of Fry's familiar delivery. I heartily recommend it. I have given just 4 stars out of 5 as I didn't feel particularly satisfied by the ending but I had very much enjoyed getting there. It's the first Fry novel I've read and I am certainly encouraged to read more of them.

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

Intriguing ..., 04 Nov 2008
... enough to keep on reading though utterly mind-boggling up to the very end.
It does include a fair amount of Blackadder-like dialogue, as I was hoping for, and a good deal of prep school and college banter. Correct, "No matter how much you shake it, the last drop always runs down you leg" is not Walton's Third Law, I do believe its Newton's Fourth since it has to do with gravity!?
Not an easy read - the upper end of the English language is thoroughly exploited if not directly challenged.
There's quite a lot of "gay stuff" as well. Skirting the invisible boundary Fry manages to stay on the right side of decency. If you are easily offended by sexual innuendo don't even bother.
Through a delicate balance between "funny ha ha" and "funny peculiar" Stephen Fry "lies" his way - in some respects I sincerely hope he does - through a very entertaining story that turns out to be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot himself.


Sorry I didn't get it!, 25 Oct 2008
I love Stephen Fry and really enjoyed 'Moab is my Washpot' so I was keen to read 'The Liar'. I was influenced to buy it after reading all the reviews on Amazon - it is this that made me want to provide my own review, as a counter-balance to all those who liked the book.

Firstly, I found the main character, Adrian Healey, utterly unlikeable. I wasn't interested in him, or his bizarre behaviour, so didn't really care what happened to him. I didn't particularly warm to any of the others, either. The humour derived from mocking the snobbery of the public school system is short-lived and not worth the wait.

I didn't see the point of the italicized chapters until towards the end of the book - by which time I was past caring.

The dénouement is very clever but I still felt cheated. I felt the whole thing could have been wrapped up much more quickly and would have made a more concise (and more interesting) short story, rather than a novel. By the end (particularly during the dull as dishwater cricket match) I was skim-reading - yet I still got the plot! Hardly the sign of a good novel.

It's a shame as, if this had been my first Stephen Fry book, I'd never pick up another. I'd recommend 'Moab is my Washpot' to anyone new to Fry's writings.


Almost Interesting..., 22 Oct 2008
I should preface this by saying 'I love Stephen Fry.' Despite being a heterosexual male, I would quite happily marry him just so I could enjoy a lifetime of his mild manners and witty repartees.

This being said, since I discovered Amazon's 'review' function I've tried to dissect books as objectively as possible. Therefore, I have to confess that The Liar was slightly disappointing for me.

Don't get me wrong: It's fantastically written. Fry's mastery of the language is quite simply art in motion, and the insight the work provides into the man himself is fascinating.

However... it's not very good, really.

I'm all for unconventional plot devices and disregarding standard narrative flow, but Fry's attempts at a disjointed style are immensely unsatisfying. Jumping between past and present interrupts the characters' natural development, and makes the story hard to follow. It also makes it hard to keep track of the sheer number of characters that Fry throws in.

Another issue I have is that Fry doesn't utilise his protaganist's compulsive lying tendencies enough. The parts where the character is lying - and is revealed to be as such at the end - are removed from the plot, so when his falsehoods are later revealed it is a massive anti-climax, as they have no bearing on what has actually occured during the novel.

Overall, I feel that this is a weak first attempt. It is certainly worth reading, but Fry has written far superior works to this. Therefore, I can't really recommend it, but will instead advise purchasing 'Moab is my Washpot', which is in essence a more impressive version of this. It also has the advantage of being a true autobiography, instead of vaguely wielding the autobiographical elements that make The Liar appealing. Or, if you'd rather read Fry's best fictional work, go for The Hippopotamus: although a strong stomach is required to get through it.

Weird definitely weird, 14 Apr 2008
After reading this book I felt confused. Yes it was funny in places and Mr Fry's literary style and prowess are undoubted. Why then can't he write a novel that coherently follows a storyline instead of flitting about like a fly on the proverbial griddle. It seems like he has written down all the points he wants to get across then got them to the publishers without sorting them into order as he was running out of time.
If this is his life story as some seem to suspect no wonder he is depressed. I was after reading it!

The journey is more enjoyable than the arrival, 05 Mar 2008
This is beautifully written and bears all the hallmarks of Fry's familiar delivery. I heartily recommend it. I have given just 4 stars out of 5 as I didn't feel particularly satisfied by the ending but I had very much enjoyed getting there. It's the first Fry novel I've read and I am certainly encouraged to read more of them.

A timeless classic, both for children and for adults, 01 Jun 2007
The strange thing about Winnie-the-Pooh was that, as a child, I don't remember being a big fan; I was more into Paddington Bear. I bought this book in either my late teens or early twenties, and have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic book - the stories, of course, are funny and light-hearted, but the colour illustrations also add to the delight. The detail is just so sweat - from the map at the very beginning showing where they all live, including Eeyores Gloomy Place, which is 'Rather Boggy and Sad', to where the Woozle Wasnt!
Of course, anyone who has read the stories will know that al of the characters have their own little quirks. Piglet is very small and easily scared; Eeyore is always rather gloomy and sad; Pooh is described as a bear of 'very little brain' who loves nothing more than eating honey; Owl is very wise, etc. Perahps this is why, once you have developed a love for these characters, it rarely leaves you. Even as an adult, you can dip into this book and enjoy the subtle humour and the nuances of the lovable characters Milne created all those years ago.

Still superb stories for young children, 16 Apr 2007
I was constantly haunted by a sense of deja-vu when reading this book to my 5-year-old children. As I read the sentences, I remembered them being read to me as a child, and it was that I realised what an impact these books had made on me. AA Milne's stories are beautifully written: simple, calm, and moving, they seem to speak directly to the feelings and minds of young children like nothing else. Each chapter is self-contained, and just the right length for a bed-time story. I'd recommend reading Winnie the Pooh first before this book, so that the background and characters makes sense. Every child should have these stories read to them!

a much-loved classic revisited, 01 Mar 2007
I can remember reading this as a small child and laughing until it hurt (in the Heffalump story). In places it is very funny, but it's much more than that. Pooh is a most attractive character for a child - cuddly, friendly, not very bright, usually cheerful, a bit silly .... and he is supported, as are all the animals, by the most wonderful, gentle, characterful illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. It seems in a way a shame to analyse why this book (and, of course, its companion 'Winnie the Pooh') is so successful and has lasted so well - tempting just to be grateful that it's there for our children to read, and for us to read to them. But there is an interesting mix of personalities among the animals( bouncy, rather irritating Tigger, cynical Eeyore, reliable but timid Piglet, busy animal-of-affairs Rabbit), the stories are all beautifully crafted, the little rhymes (the 'hums') are immediately memorable and a lot of funny things happen. Put all these things together with the wonderful pictures and add an indefinable 'extra something' and you've got this treasurable book.

Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. What more do you need?, 27 Aug 2001
One of my favourite books of all time (and im 22 now) and still i read it once in a while. The strength of the book lies in the simplicity of the stories themselves. Eeyore is as gloomy and tragic as ever while Pooh as ever continues along his way appreciating the simple things in life, like using your imagination and hunting woozles and heffalumps. Milne's interpretation of a childhood through toy friends is an excellent parllel with my experiences when younger and his tales are likely to strike a chord with readers of all ages. Rediscovering "pooh sticks" earlier on this year led me to read the book again and i remembered the stunningly unexpected undertones in the last chapter of the book. Piglet, Owl, Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo all feature, not forgetting the fabulously fun filled feline that is Tigger. A must for a desert island book list.

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

Intriguing ..., 04 Nov 2008
... enough to keep on reading though utterly mind-boggling up to the very end.
It does include a fair amount of Blackadder-like dialogue, as I was hoping for, and a good deal of prep school and college banter. Correct, "No matter how much you shake it, the last drop always runs down you leg" is not Walton's Third Law, I do believe its Newton's Fourth since it has to do with gravity!?
Not an easy read - the upper end of the English language is thoroughly exploited if not directly challenged.
There's quite a lot of "gay stuff" as well. Skirting the invisible boundary Fry manages to stay on the right side of decency. If you are easily offended by sexual innuendo don't even bother.
Through a delicate balance between "funny ha ha" and "funny peculiar" Stephen Fry "lies" his way - in some respects I sincerely hope he does - through a very entertaining story that turns out to be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot himself.


Sorry I didn't get it!, 25 Oct 2008
I love Stephen Fry and really enjoyed 'Moab is my Washpot' so I was keen to read 'The Liar'. I was influenced to buy it after reading all the reviews on Amazon - it is this that made me want to provide my own review, as a counter-balance to all those who liked the book.

Firstly, I found the main character, Adrian Healey, utterly unlikeable. I wasn't interested in him, or his bizarre behaviour, so didn't really care what happened to him. I didn't particularly warm to any of the others, either. The humour derived from mocking the snobbery of the public school system is short-lived and not worth the wait.

I didn't see the point of the italicized chapters until towards the end of the book - by which time I was past caring.

The dénouement is very clever but I still felt cheated. I felt the whole thing could have been wrapped up much more quickly and would have made a more concise (and more interesting) short story, rather than a novel. By the end (particularly during the dull as dishwater cricket match) I was skim-reading - yet I still got the plot! Hardly the sign of a good novel.

It's a shame as, if this had been my first Stephen Fry book, I'd never pick up another. I'd recommend 'Moab is my Washpot' to anyone new to Fry's writings.


Almost Interesting..., 22 Oct 2008
I should preface this by saying 'I love Stephen Fry.' Despite being a heterosexual male, I would quite happily marry him just so I could enjoy a lifetime of his mild manners and witty repartees.

This being said, since I discovered Amazon's 'review' function I've tried to dissect books as objectively as possible. Therefore, I have to confess that The Liar was slightly disappointing for me.

Don't get me wrong: It's fantastically written. Fry's mastery of the language is quite simply art in motion, and the insight the work provides into the man himself is fascinating.

However... it's not very good, really.

I'm all for unconventional plot devices and disregarding standard narrative flow, but Fry's attempts at a disjointed style are immensely unsatisfying. Jumping between past and present interrupts the characters' natural development, and makes the story hard to follow. It also makes it hard to keep track of the sheer number of characters that Fry throws in.

Another issue I have is that Fry doesn't utilise his protaganist's compulsive lying tendencies enough. The parts where the character is lying - and is revealed to be as such at the end - are removed from the plot, so when his falsehoods are later revealed it is a massive anti-climax, as they have no bearing on what has actually occured during the novel.

Overall, I feel that this is a weak first attempt. It is certainly worth reading, but Fry has written far superior works to this. Therefore, I can't really recommend it, but will instead advise purchasing 'Moab is my Washpot', which is in essence a more impressive version of this. It also has the advantage of being a true autobiography, instead of vaguely wielding the autobiographical elements that make The Liar appealing. Or, if you'd rather read Fry's best fictional work, go for The Hippopotamus: although a strong stomach is required to get through it.

Weird definitely weird, 14 Apr 2008
After reading this book I felt confused. Yes it was funny in places and Mr Fry's literary style and prowess are undoubted. Why then can't he write a novel that coherently follows a storyline instead of flitting about like a fly on the proverbial griddle. It seems like he has written down all the points he wants to get across then got them to the publishers without sorting them into order as he was running out of time.
If this is his life story as some seem to suspect no wonder he is depressed. I was after reading it!

The journey is more enjoyable than the arrival, 05 Mar 2008
This is beautifully written and bears all the hallmarks of Fry's familiar delivery. I heartily recommend it. I have given just 4 stars out of 5 as I didn't feel particularly satisfied by the ending but I had very much enjoyed getting there. It's the first Fry novel I've read and I am certainly encouraged to read more of them.

A timeless classic, both for children and for adults, 01 Jun 2007
The strange thing about Winnie-the-Pooh was that, as a child, I don't remember being a big fan; I was more into Paddington Bear. I bought this book in either my late teens or early twenties, and have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic book - the stories, of course, are funny and light-hearted, but the colour illustrations also add to the delight. The detail is just so sweat - from the map at the very beginning showing where they all live, including Eeyores Gloomy Place, which is 'Rather Boggy and Sad', to where the Woozle Wasnt!
Of course, anyone who has read the stories will know that al of the characters have their own little quirks. Piglet is very small and easily scared; Eeyore is always rather gloomy and sad; Pooh is described as a bear of 'very little brain' who loves nothing more than eating honey; Owl is very wise, etc. Perahps this is why, once you have developed a love for these characters, it rarely leaves you. Even as an adult, you can dip into this book and enjoy the subtle humour and the nuances of the lovable characters Milne created all those years ago.

Still superb stories for young children, 16 Apr 2007
I was constantly haunted by a sense of deja-vu when reading this book to my 5-year-old children. As I read the sentences, I remembered them being read to me as a child, and it was that I realised what an impact these books had made on me. AA Milne's stories are beautifully written: simple, calm, and moving, they seem to speak directly to the feelings and minds of young children like nothing else. Each chapter is self-contained, and just the right length for a bed-time story. I'd recommend reading Winnie the Pooh first before this book, so that the background and characters makes sense. Every child should have these stories read to them!

a much-loved classic revisited, 01 Mar 2007
I can remember reading this as a small child and laughing until it hurt (in the Heffalump story). In places it is very funny, but it's much more than that. Pooh is a most attractive character for a child - cuddly, friendly, not very bright, usually cheerful, a bit silly .... and he is supported, as are all the animals, by the most wonderful, gentle, characterful illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. It seems in a way a shame to analyse why this book (and, of course, its companion 'Winnie the Pooh') is so successful and has lasted so well - tempting just to be grateful that it's there for our children to read, and for us to read to them. But there is an interesting mix of personalities among the animals( bouncy, rather irritating Tigger, cynical Eeyore, reliable but timid Piglet, busy animal-of-affairs Rabbit), the stories are all beautifully crafted, the little rhymes (the 'hums') are immediately memorable and a lot of funny things happen. Put all these things together with the wonderful pictures and add an indefinable 'extra something' and you've got this treasurable book.

Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. What more do you need?, 27 Aug 2001
One of my favourite books of all time (and im 22 now) and still i read it once in a while. The strength of the book lies in the simplicity of the stories themselves. Eeyore is as gloomy and tragic as ever while Pooh as ever continues along his way appreciating the simple things in life, like using your imagination and hunting woozles and heffalumps. Milne's interpretation of a childhood through toy friends is an excellent parllel with my experiences when younger and his tales are likely to strike a chord with readers of all ages. Rediscovering "pooh sticks" earlier on this year led me to read the book again and i remembered the stunningly unexpected undertones in the last chapter of the book. Piglet, Owl, Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo all feature, not forgetting the fabulously fun filled feline that is Tigger. A must for a desert island book list.

Duty, Seizing Initiative, and Painful Conflicts!, 05 May 2004
Lord Hornblower continues C.S. Forester's masterful examination of the trials of a conflicted soul, the publicly admired Commodore Sir Horatio Hornblower.

Hornblower is married to the woman of his dreams, Lady Barbara, and is enjoying raising his young son, Richard, while Hornblower recovers successfully from typhus contracted during the Baltic campaign described in Commodore Hornblower. All seems well.

His biggest immediate problem as the book opens is that he is both bored and uncomfortable sitting through a ceremony for the Knights of the Bath, of which he is one. Suddenly, a messenger breaks in to call away the First Lord of the Admiralty. Looking troubled, Lord St. Vincent immediately sends for Hornblower while the ceremony continues. A group of British naval seamen has mutinied against a tyrannical captain who had abused his authority, and now the seamen want to be granted amnesty . . . or they will defect to the French. Lying just outside of two French harbors, this is a very real threat. Hornblower asks for and is given orders to handle the situation as he sees fit. But he knows that amnesty can never be granted without undermining the discipline of the service. How will Hornblower handle this? He doesn't know, but he's soon on his way into a massive storm. Surely, the mutineers realize that they will dance at the end of a rope if they surrender. Is this the end of Hornblower's fabulous reputation?

Set at the very end of the Napoleon Wars, Lord Hornblower shows once again that even the most dire situations are filled with opportunity . . . and peril.

This book is most like Flying Colours of the earlier novels, in that the action at sea is very limited while the time spent on land in France is extensive. Hornblower also meets with his old friends from that novel, M. le Comte and Mme. la Vicomtesse de Gracay.

As peace nears, it creates new challenges for Hornblower. Never a man to enjoy the salon, he finds that the demands of his wife's family bringing both Lady Barbara and he into increased social interactions with royalty and political leaders. These interactions are despised by Hornblower, and life loses its zest for him. How will he recapture the spirited focus that beating Boney has provided him over the last 20 years?

The Hornblower marriage is also put to new strains by the prospects of peace, and Hornblower finds himself tempted to stand aside from his role as Lady Barbara's social escort. How will Lady Barbara and her powerful brothers react?

Lord Hornblower reminds me of the story of Adam and Eve after they have tasted the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Hornblower knows himself better now, and also learns new things about Lady Barbara that had escaped him. He has new experiences that further add to his knowledge in this book. As a result, he's a more mature person, but a much more troubled one. With his greater reputation, influence, and wealth, he's also more inclined to stick his oar in to do what he thinks should be done . . . regardless of the consequences. The results are not always pretty for Hornblower, or for those who depend on him.

How does the warrior adapt to peace? Like in the StarTrek move, "The Undiscovered Country" you will find that it is a hard thing to do. Vigilance is also needed, lest the peace be lost.

Has some problem in your life become so continuing and pervasive that it dominates your perspective on everything? What would you do if you solved that problem, or it simply went away? Are you prepared to build from the fruits of your solution? Or will losing the problem be like losing a crutch instead, leaving you feeling crippled?

Look, think, and act for what is ahead . . . or be perpetually chained to what has been!

The best of the series, 15 Jul 1999
I prefer more mainstream historical fiction like "The Triumph and the Glory" or "Cold Mountain" to tightly focused sea tales like Forester's Hornblower series. But the Hornblower books are SO WELL DONE that I just can't resist them. Lord Hornblower tops a very good list of Hornblower books, it, only Hornblower During the Crisis is nearly as good.

An amazing saga of a British naval officer's career., 16 May 1999
I'd like to answer the British Columbia readers question. There are 11 novels in C.S. Forrester's Hornblower saga. Additionally, at least one publisher has books that contain up to three of the novels in one volume. Interestingly, Forester didn't write the 11 books in chronological order. Consequently, some publishers elect to place numbers on the spine of each book to indicate where a particular title falls in the chronology. The current US printing (1999), by Back Bay Books, a division of Little Brown and Co., is not complete. At least the last three chronological titles (Commodore Hornblower, Lord Hornblower and Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies) will hit the shelves later in 1999. I can't wait. Each book stands on its own and every one is addictive.

Confusion, 21 Apr 1999
I have began reading the Horatio Hornblower saga, but I have a few questions. How many books are there and in what order do they come. I am reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. I know that the next one is Lieutenant Hornblower, but I have unable to locate this one in my local library or on Amazon books. If any one has any imformation concerning anyting I have mentioned please e-mail me at proram@kermode.net

Thankyou

Don't miss these if you like historical fiction., 19 Dec 1998
My husband and I are collecting all the Hornblower books (preferably first editions). Excellent historical fiction. Great character development. I don't dare pick one up unless I am prepared to stay up until I finish it. Saw the old movie too!

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

Intriguing ..., 04 Nov 2008
... enough to keep on reading though utterly mind-boggling up to the very end.
It does include a fair amount of Blackadder-like dialogue, as I was hoping for, and a good deal of prep school and college banter. Correct, "No matter how much you shake it, the last drop always runs down you leg" is not Walton's Third Law, I do believe its Newton's Fourth since it has to do with gravity!?
Not an easy read - the upper end of the English language is thoroughly exploited if not directly challenged.
There's quite a lot of "gay stuff" as well. Skirting the invisible boundary Fry manages to stay on the right side of decency. If you are easily offended by sexual innuendo don't even bother.
Through a delicate balance between "funny ha ha" and "funny peculiar" Stephen Fry "lies" his way - in some respects I sincerely hope he does - through a very entertaining story that turns out to be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot himself.


Sorry I didn't get it!, 25 Oct 2008
I love Stephen Fry and really enjoyed 'Moab is my Washpot' so I was keen to read 'The Liar'. I was influenced to buy it after reading all the reviews on Amazon - it is this that made me want to provide my own review, as a counter-balance to all those who liked the book.

Firstly, I found the main character, Adrian Healey, utterly unlikeable. I wasn't interested in him, or his bizarre behaviour, so didn't really care what happened to him. I didn't particularly warm to any of the others, either. The humour derived from mocking the snobbery of the public school system is short-lived and not worth the wait.

I didn't see the point of the italicized chapters until towards the end of the book - by which time I was past caring.

The dénouement is very clever but I still felt cheated. I felt the whole thing could have been wrapped up much more quickly and would have made a more concise (and more interesting) short story, rather than a novel. By the end (particularly during the dull as dishwater cricket match) I was skim-reading - yet I still got the plot! Hardly the sign of a good novel.

It's a shame as, if this had been my first Stephen Fry book, I'd never pick up another. I'd recommend 'Moab is my Washpot' to anyone new to Fry's writings.


Almost Interesting..., 22 Oct 2008
I should preface this by saying 'I love Stephen Fry.' Despite being a heterosexual male, I would quite happily marry him just so I could enjoy a lifetime of his mild manners and witty repartees.

This being said, since I discovered Amazon's 'review' function I've tried to dissect books as objectively as possible. Therefore, I have to confess that The Liar was slightly disappointing for me.

Don't get me wrong: It's fantastically written. Fry's mastery of the language is quite simply art in motion, and the insight the work provides into the man himself is fascinating.

However... it's not very good, really.

I'm all for unconventional plot devices and disregarding standard narrative flow, but Fry's attempts at a disjointed style are immensely unsatisfying. Jumping between past and present interrupts the characters' natural development, and makes the story hard to follow. It also makes it hard to keep track of the sheer number of characters that Fry throws in.

Another issue I have is that Fry doesn't utilise his protaganist's compulsive lying tendencies enough. The parts where the character is lying - and is revealed to be as such at the end - are removed from the plot, so when his falsehoods are later revealed it is a massive anti-climax, as they have no bearing on what has actually occured during the novel.

Overall, I feel that this is a weak first attempt. It is certainly worth reading, but Fry has written far superior works to this. Therefore, I can't really recommend it, but will instead advise purchasing 'Moab is my Washpot', which is in essence a more impressive version of this. It also has the advantage of being a true autobiography, instead of vaguely wielding the autobiographical elements that make The Liar appealing. Or, if you'd rather read Fry's best fictional work, go for The Hippopotamus: although a strong stomach is required to get through it.

Weird definitely weird, 14 Apr 2008
After reading this book I felt confused. Yes it was funny in places and Mr Fry's literary style and prowess are undoubted. Why then can't he write a novel that coherently follows a storyline instead of flitting about like a fly on the proverbial griddle. It seems like he has written down all the points he wants to get across then got them to the publishers without sorting them into order as he was running out of time.
If this is his life story as some seem to suspect no wonder he is depressed. I was after reading it!

The journey is more enjoyable than the arrival, 05 Mar 2008
This is beautifully written and bears all the hallmarks of Fry's familiar delivery. I heartily recommend it. I have given just 4 stars out of 5 as I didn't feel particularly satisfied by the ending but I had very much enjoyed getting there. It's the first Fry novel I've read and I am certainly encouraged to read more of them.

A timeless classic, both for children and for adults, 01 Jun 2007
The strange thing about Winnie-the-Pooh was that, as a child, I don't remember being a big fan; I was more into Paddington Bear. I bought this book in either my late teens or early twenties, and have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic book - the stories, of course, are funny and light-hearted, but the colour illustrations also add to the delight. The detail is just so sweat - from the map at the very beginning showing where they all live, including Eeyores Gloomy Place, which is 'Rather Boggy and Sad', to where the Woozle Wasnt!
Of course, anyone who has read the stories will know that al of the characters have their own little quirks. Piglet is very small and easily scared; Eeyore is always rather gloomy and sad; Pooh is described as a bear of 'very little brain' who loves nothing more than eating honey; Owl is very wise, etc. Perahps this is why, once you have developed a love for these characters, it rarely leaves you. Even as an adult, you can dip into this book and enjoy the subtle humour and the nuances of the lovable characters Milne created all those years ago.

Still superb stories for young children, 16 Apr 2007
I was constantly haunted by a sense of deja-vu when reading this book to my 5-year-old children. As I read the sentences, I remembered them being read to me as a child, and it was that I realised what an impact these books had made on me. AA Milne's stories are beautifully written: simple, calm, and moving, they seem to speak directly to the feelings and minds of young children like nothing else. Each chapter is self-contained, and just the right length for a bed-time story. I'd recommend reading Winnie the Pooh first before this book, so that the background and characters makes sense. Every child should have these stories read to them!

a much-loved classic revisited, 01 Mar 2007
I can remember reading this as a small child and laughing until it hurt (in the Heffalump story). In places it is very funny, but it's much more than that. Pooh is a most attractive character for a child - cuddly, friendly, not very bright, usually cheerful, a bit silly .... and he is supported, as are all the animals, by the most wonderful, gentle, characterful illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. It seems in a way a shame to analyse why this book (and, of course, its companion 'Winnie the Pooh') is so successful and has lasted so well - tempting just to be grateful that it's there for our children to read, and for us to read to them. But there is an interesting mix of personalities among the animals( bouncy, rather irritating Tigger, cynical Eeyore, reliable but timid Piglet, busy animal-of-affairs Rabbit), the stories are all beautifully crafted, the little rhymes (the 'hums') are immediately memorable and a lot of funny things happen. Put all these things together with the wonderful pictures and add an indefinable 'extra something' and you've got this treasurable book.

Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. What more do you need?, 27 Aug 2001
One of my favourite books of all time (and im 22 now) and still i read it once in a while. The strength of the book lies in the simplicity of the stories themselves. Eeyore is as gloomy and tragic as ever while Pooh as ever continues along his way appreciating the simple things in life, like using your imagination and hunting woozles and heffalumps. Milne's interpretation of a childhood through toy friends is an excellent parllel with my experiences when younger and his tales are likely to strike a chord with readers of all ages. Rediscovering "pooh sticks" earlier on this year led me to read the book again and i remembered the stunningly unexpected undertones in the last chapter of the book. Piglet, Owl, Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo all feature, not forgetting the fabulously fun filled feline that is Tigger. A must for a desert island book list.

Duty, Seizing Initiative, and Painful Conflicts!, 05 May 2004
Lord Hornblower continues C.S. Forester's masterful examination of the trials of a conflicted soul, the publicly admired Commodore Sir Horatio Hornblower.

Hornblower is married to the woman of his dreams, Lady Barbara, and is enjoying raising his young son, Richard, while Hornblower recovers successfully from typhus contracted during the Baltic campaign described in Commodore Hornblower. All seems well.

His biggest immediate problem as the book opens is that he is both bored and uncomfortable sitting through a ceremony for the Knights of the Bath, of which he is one. Suddenly, a messenger breaks in to call away the First Lord of the Admiralty. Looking troubled, Lord St. Vincent immediately sends for Hornblower while the ceremony continues. A group of British naval seamen has mutinied against a tyrannical captain who had abused his authority, and now the seamen want to be granted amnesty . . . or they will defect to the French. Lying just outside of two French harbors, this is a very real threat. Hornblower asks for and is given orders to handle the situation as he sees fit. But he knows that amnesty can never be granted without undermining the discipline of the service. How will Hornblower handle this? He doesn't know, but he's soon on his way into a massive storm. Surely, the mutineers realize that they will dance at the end of a rope if they surrender. Is this the end of Hornblower's fabulous reputation?

Set at the very end of the Napoleon Wars, Lord Hornblower shows once again that even the most dire situations are filled with opportunity . . . and peril.

This book is most like Flying Colours of the earlier novels, in that the action at sea is very limited while the time spent on land in France is extensive. Hornblower also meets with his old friends from that novel, M. le Comte and Mme. la Vicomtesse de Gracay.

As peace nears, it creates new challenges for Hornblower. Never a man to enjoy the salon, he finds that the demands of his wife's family bringing both Lady Barbara and he into increased social interactions with royalty and political leaders. These interactions are despised by Hornblower, and life loses its zest for him. How will he recapture the spirited focus that beating Boney has provided him over the last 20 years?

The Hornblower marriage is also put to new strains by the prospects of peace, and Hornblower finds himself tempted to stand aside from his role as Lady Barbara's social escort. How will Lady Barbara and her powerful brothers react?

Lord Hornblower reminds me of the story of Adam and Eve after they have tasted the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Hornblower knows himself better now, and also learns new things about Lady Barbara that had escaped him. He has new experiences that further add to his knowledge in this book. As a result, he's a more mature person, but a much more troubled one. With his greater reputation, influence, and wealth, he's also more inclined to stick his oar in to do what he thinks should be done . . . regardless of the consequences. The results are not always pretty for Hornblower, or for those who depend on him.

How does the warrior adapt to peace? Like in the StarTrek move, "The Undiscovered Country" you will find that it is a hard thing to do. Vigilance is also needed, lest the peace be lost.

Has some problem in your life become so continuing and pervasive that it dominates your perspective on everything? What would you do if you solved that problem, or it simply went away? Are you prepared to build from the fruits of your solution? Or will losing the problem be like losing a crutch instead, leaving you feeling crippled?

Look, think, and act for what is ahead . . . or be perpetually chained to what has been!

The best of the series, 15 Jul 1999
I prefer more mainstream historical fiction like "The Triumph and the Glory" or "Cold Mountain" to tightly focused sea tales like Forester's Hornblower series. But the Hornblower books are SO WELL DONE that I just can't resist them. Lord Hornblower tops a very good list of Hornblower books, it, only Hornblower During the Crisis is nearly as good.

An amazing saga of a British naval officer's career., 16 May 1999
I'd like to answer the British Columbia readers question. There are 11 novels in C.S. Forrester's Hornblower saga. Additionally, at least one publisher has books that contain up to three of the novels in one volume. Interestingly, Forester didn't write the 11 books in chronological order. Consequently, some publishers elect to place numbers on the spine of each book to indicate where a particular title falls in the chronology. The current US printing (1999), by Back Bay Books, a division of Little Brown and Co., is not complete. At least the last three chronological titles (Commodore Hornblower, Lord Hornblower and Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies) will hit the shelves later in 1999. I can't wait. Each book stands on its own and every one is addictive.

Confusion, 21 Apr 1999
I have began reading the Horatio Hornblower saga, but I have a few questions. How many books are there and in what order do they come. I am reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. I know that the next one is Lieutenant Hornblower, but I have unable to locate this one in my local library or on Amazon books. If any one has any imformation concerning anyting I have mentioned please e-mail me at proram@kermode.net

Thankyou

Don't miss these if you like historical fiction., 19 Dec 1998
My husband and I are collecting all the Hornblower books (preferably first editions). Excellent historical fiction. Great character development. I don't dare pick one up unless I am prepared to stay up until I finish it. Saw the old movie too!

Over in a Flash....., 09 Nov 2008
This is the 5th Flashman novel (chronologically) and is by far the best - so far. Fraser has nailed this one. Fast action, historical interest and the usual hillarious antics of Flashman make it an excellent read. Couldn't put this one down. Frequently tittered away to myself on my train journey to work. Other passengers probably thought I was mad! Thoroughly recommended.

Flashman vs the slave trade, 19 Feb 2008
The third of the Flashman series is a sublime meeting of form and function, way ahead of the first two novels. Wrapped up in a fast-moving, funny and genuinely exciting yarn is the author's well-researched mission to inform us of the horror, the complexity and the importance in the 19th century of the slave trade. Who better to cast a cynical eye on that most immoral of endeavours (almost incomprehensible to the modern mind) than our amoral `hands-on' anti-hero, Flashman? The author takes our engagingly unreliable, notoriously non-PC guide through the whole process, from the slave ship picking up its miserable cargo on the African coast, through the markets and the plantations of the slave states and on to the underground abolitionists helping runaways escape North. Even throws in a pivotal encounter with a young Abe Lincoln. Brilliant stuff, informing and entertaining in equal measure.

Flashman Comes to America (part 5 of 12), 29 Dec 2007
Harry Flashman comes to America, not of his own choosing, and not aboard a luxury Ocean cruiser with the cream of society. But again Flash is on the run after a game of 21 ends up with him in hot water. Needing a quick exit he has no choice but to board a slaver. Soon he is out of one bed and into another, out of one frying pan and into another. Find out which bed and which frying pan now! Once you open the first page you will be dying to find out who is trying to trim Flash's mustache.

The great thing about Flashman is the historic journeys that he takes you on which you do not learn at school in your history lessons. The slave trade was not the finest hour of the British Empire, but here the author enters the subject with abandon. And we also meet some truly influential historical figures in Disraeli and Lincoln.

A 6-SHOOTER of a read: historical, humorous, educational, tense, sexy, and the best of British.

Nefarious dealings, 20 Jul 2007
This is a story with a lesson. Never play vingt-et-un with Disraeli! Flashy is in a spot of bother again and the father in law packs him off to the Americas. Lucky escape you might think? But the ship he travels in happens to be a slaver. Damned inconvenient!

A series of leaps between frying pans and fires adds up to another exciting adventure for Flashy. Just watch out for that cad Abe Lincoln, he might be a bit of a bounder.

Shiver me timbers., 14 Apr 2007
Fantastic! It is impossible not to give any Flashman a 5 out of 5 and this one certainly does not disappoint.
Who would have thought that a simple game of pontoon with the ladies could have led to the latest enstalment of trouble that our Anti Hero Lt Harry Flashman manages to get himself into.
Its a rollercoaster ride that takes Flashman on a slave boat owned by his father in law, firstly to the West Coast of Africa and then, not without incident across the atlantic,chased by the US Navy, to New Orleans and then on the run through the new world as our resident coward and womaniser attempts to make his way to his beloved Enland without getting intered by the authorities, shot by aggrieved husbands or forced into marriage by large breasted brothel owners. A Flashman book would not be the same without running into notable characters in history, and believe me, as normal you will not be disappointed. This is a hugely funny book, and although it has an important message regarding our history, it gives this message without taking us away from the reason we are reading this book, and this is to have fun. Believe me you will have fun.

What a delight., 24 Aug 2008

This book is just a wonderful collection of such charming stories. My eldest son is nearly 6 years and a fairly prolific reader but we have struggled to find books with enough words to challenge him but age appropriate storylines. Having not read Winnie the Pooh as a child myself I was a little sceptical but the stories are wonderful. The humour is gentle, the stories a delight, the text beautifully written. My eldest reads the book to himself, I read it to his younger brother. In short, we love it.

Fab for little ones... not for me, 18 May 2008
Meet the adorable, ponderous Pooh Bear; the cute, funny, little Piglet; the bouncy, lovable Tigger and everyone else who reside in the Hundred Acre Wood in this fabulous book with fabulous short stories about these fabulous characters' adventures.

As a little child I never really liked Winnie the Pooh but now, I am 10, I think it is great. I am not too fond of the Disney one but the one by AA Milne is great! I love EH Shepard's illustrations which really make the book lovely. I think this book was worth every penny - a real delight to read, especially at bedtime!

I love the story about when Piglet's home was floating because of the terrible rainstorm and it is ingenious how his friends get him back to land.


wonderful cast, delightful book, 08 Mar 2002
Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Stephen Fry et al obviously really enjoyed producing this dramatisation of Winnie the Pooh. It has been listened to over and over by our 2 year old, who fits all sorts of Pooh-isms into her developing conversation! - it's a lovely set of tapes, ideal for the car and a story you get more out of as you get older - without it being beyond the reach of little ones. If you like Winnie-the-Pooh, this cast does it well.

very insightful!, 25 Apr 2001
This book, never read as a young person (nor to me), has proven to be an invaluable source of insight into a lot of areas. In a world governed by numerous self-help books and alike, this book no doubt serves as solid and long-standing. l would have loved to have had this read to me as a child, l recommend every adult to read it, and then read it to their children.

Terrific as Audio Books , 21 Dec 2007
Having seen these shows umpteen times I was surprised that I enjoyed the Audio Books as much as I have - they simply work wonderfully on tape. All involved have fantastic clear comic voices perfect for listening to in the car - I could listen to Hugh Laurie's daft waffling in particular for hours ! Brilliantly absorbing and distracting for frustrating car journeys - I shall enjoy these again and again.

better than the tv shows!, 10 Dec 2000
Listening to these tapes is a joy, between the hilarious script and the unequalled comic timing (particularly from Rowan Atkinson). I have had these tapes for more than five years and never get tired of listening to them.

inspirational, 31 Aug 2000
It's brillaint, and moving and truly rib tickling What hasnt been said about Blackadder?

(well don't ask me)

The best TV script...ever, 25 Jan 2000
The best comedy program finaly out on script. Richard Curtis, Ben Elton & Rowan Atkinson bring the evil Edmund Blackdder to life in the 4 series with his servant Baldrick. The cast enlightened by Rowan Atkinson, Tony robinson, Tim McInerney, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson

Intriguing ..., 04 Nov 2008
... enough to keep on reading though utterly mind-boggling up to the very end.
It does include a fair amount of Blackadder-like dialogue, as I was hoping for, and a good deal of prep school and college banter. Correct, "No matter how much you shake it, the last drop always runs down you leg" is not Walton's Third Law, I do believe its Newton's Fourth since it has to do with gravity!?
Not an easy read - the upper end of the English language is thoroughly exploited if not directly challenged.
There's quite a lot of "gay stuff" as well. Skirting the invisible boundary Fry manages to stay on the right side of decency. If you are easily offended by sexual innuendo don't even bother.
Through a delicate balance between "funny ha ha" and "funny peculiar" Stephen Fry "lies" his way - in some respects I sincerely hope he does - through a very entertaining story that turns out to be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot himself.


Sorry I didn't get it!, 25 Oct 2008
I love Stephen Fry and really enjoyed 'Moab is my Washpot' so I was keen to read 'The Liar'. I was influenced to buy it after reading all the reviews on Amazon - it is this that made me want to provide my own review, as a counter-balance to all those who liked the book.

Firstly, I found the main character, Adrian Healey, utterly unlikeable. I wasn't interested in him, or his bizarre behaviour, so didn't really care what happened to him. I didn't particularly warm to any of the others, either. The humour derived from mocking the snobbery of the public school system is short-lived and not worth the wait.

I didn't see the point of the italicized chapters until towards the end of the book - by which time I was past caring.

The dénouement is very clever but I still felt cheated. I felt the whole thing could have been wrapped up much more quickly and would have made a more concise (and more interesting) short story, rather than a novel. By the end (particularly during the dull as dishwater cricket match) I was skim-reading - yet I still got the plot! Hardly the sign of a good novel.

It's a shame as, if this had been my first Stephen Fry book, I'd never pick up another. I'd recommend 'Moab is my Washpot' to anyone new to Fry's writings.


Almost Interesting..., 22 Oct 2008
I should preface this by saying 'I love Stephen Fry.' Despite being a heterosexual male, I would quite happily marry him just so I could enjoy a lifetime of his mild manners and witty repartees.

This being said, since I discovered Amazon's 'review' function I've tried to dissect books as objectively as possible. Therefore, I have to confess that The Liar was slightly disappointing for me.

Don't get me wrong: It's fantastically written. Fry's mastery of the language is quite simply art in motion, and the insight the work provides into the man himself is fascinating.

However... it's not very good, really.

I'm all for unconventional plot devices and disregarding standard narrative flow, but Fry's attempts at a disjointed style are immensely unsatisfying. Jumping between past and present interrupts the characters' natural development, and makes the story hard to follow. It also makes it hard to keep track of the sheer number of characters that Fry throws in.

Another issue I have is that Fry doesn't utilise his protaganist's compulsive lying tendencies enough. The parts where the character is lying - and is revealed to be as such at the end - are removed from the plot, so when his falsehoods are later revealed it is a massive anti-climax, as they have no bearing on what has actually occured during the novel.

Overall, I feel that this is a weak first attempt. It is certainly worth reading, but Fry has written far superior works to this. Therefore, I can't really recommend it, but will instead advise purchasing 'Moab is my Washpot', which is in essence a more impressive version of this. It also has the advantage of being a true autobiography, instead of vaguely wielding the autobiographical elements that make The Liar appealing. Or, if you'd rather read Fry's best fictional work, go for The Hippopotamus: although a strong stomach is required to get through it.

Weird definitely weird, 14 Apr 2008
After reading this book I felt confused. Yes it was funny in places and Mr Fry's literary style and prowess are undoubted. Why then can't he write a novel that coherently follows a storyline instead of flitting about like a fly on the proverbial griddle. It seems like he has written down all the points he wants to get across then got them to the publishers without sorting them into order as he was running out of time.
If this is his life story as some seem to suspect no wonder he is depressed. I was after reading it!

The journey is more enjoyable than the arrival, 05 Mar 2008
This is beautifully written and bears all the hallmarks of Fry's familiar delivery. I heartily recommend it. I have given just 4 stars out of 5 as I didn't feel particularly satisfied by the ending but I had very much enjoyed getting there. It's the first Fry novel I've read and I am certainly encouraged to read more of them.

A timeless classic, both for children and for adults, 01 Jun 2007
The strange thing about Winnie-the-Pooh was that, as a child, I don't remember being a big fan; I was more into Paddington Bear. I bought this book in either my late teens or early twenties, and have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic book - the stories, of course, are funny and light-hearted, but the colour illustrations also add to the delight. The detail is just so sweat - from the map at the very beginning showing where they all live, including Eeyores Gloomy Place, which is 'Rather Boggy and Sad', to where the Woozle Wasnt!
Of course, anyone who has read the stories will know that al of the characters have their own little quirks. Piglet is very small and easily scared; Eeyore is always rather gloomy and sad; Pooh is described as a bear of 'very little brain' who loves nothing more than eating honey; Owl is very wise, etc. Perahps this is why, once you have developed a love for these characters, it rarely leaves you. Even as an adult, you can dip into this book and enjoy the subtle humour and the nuances of the lovable characters Milne created all those years ago.

Still superb stories for young children, 16 Apr 2007
I was constantly haunted by a sense of deja-vu when reading this book to my 5-year-old children. As I read the sentences, I remembered them being read to me as a child, and it was that I realised what an impact these books had made on me. AA Milne's stories are beautifully written: simple, calm, and moving, they seem to speak directly to the feelings and minds of young children like nothing else. Each chapter is self-contained, and just the right length for a bed-time story. I'd recommend reading Winnie the Pooh first before this book, so that the background and characters makes sense. Every child should have these stories read to them!

a much-loved classic revisited, 01 Mar 2007
I can remember reading this as a small child and laughing until it hurt (in the Heffalump story). In places it is very funny, but it's much more than that. Pooh is a most attractive character for a child - cuddly, friendly, not very bright, usually cheerful, a bit silly .... and he is supported, as are all the animals, by the most wonderful, gentle, characterful illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. It seems in a way a shame to analyse why this book (and, of course, its companion 'Winnie the Pooh') is so successful and has lasted so well - tempting just to be grateful that it's there for our children to read, and for us to read to them. But there is an interesting mix of personalities among the animals( bouncy, rather irritating Tigger, cynical Eeyore, reliable but timid Piglet, busy animal-of-affairs Rabbit), the stories are all beautifully crafted, the little rhymes (the 'hums') are immediately memorable and a lot of funny things happen. Put all these things together with the wonderful pictures and add an indefinable 'extra something' and you've got this treasurable book.

Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. What more do you need?, 27 Aug 2001
One of my favourite books of all time (and im 22 now) and still i read it once in a while. The strength of the book lies in the simplicity of the stories themselves. Eeyore is as gloomy and tragic as ever while Pooh as ever continues along his way appreciating the simple things in life, like using your imagination and hunting woozles and heffalumps. Milne's interpretation of a childhood through toy friends is an excellent parllel with my experiences when younger and his tales are likely to strike a chord with readers of all ages. Rediscovering "pooh sticks" earlier on this year led me to read the book again and i remembered the stunningly unexpected undertones in the last chapter of the book. Piglet, Owl, Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo all feature, not forgetting the fabulously fun filled feline that is Tigger. A must for a desert island book list.

Duty, Seizing Initiative, and Painful Conflicts!, 05 May 2004
Lord Hornblower continues C.S. Forester's masterful examination of the trials of a conflicted soul, the publicly admired Commodore Sir Horatio Hornblower.

Hornblower is married to the woman of his dreams, Lady Barbara, and is enjoying raising his young son, Richard, while Hornblower recovers successfully from typhus contracted during the Baltic campaign described in Commodore Hornblower. All seems well.

His biggest immediate problem as the book opens is that he is both bored and uncomfortable sitting through a ceremony for the Knights of the Bath, of which he is one. Suddenly, a messenger breaks in to call away the First Lord of the Admiralty. Looking troubled, Lord St. Vincent immediately sends for Hornblower while the ceremony continues. A group of British naval seamen has mutinied against a tyrannical captain who had abused his authority, and now the seamen want to be granted amnesty . . . or they will defect to the French. Lying just outside of two French harbors, this is a very real threat. Hornblower asks for and is given orders to handle the situation as he sees fit. But he knows that amnesty can never be granted without undermining the discipline of the service. How will Hornblower handle this? He doesn't know, but he's soon on his way into a massive storm. Surely, the mutineers realize that they will dance at the end of a rope if they surrender. Is this the end of Hornblower's fabulous reputation?

Set at the very end of the Napoleon Wars, Lord Hornblower shows once again that even the most dire situations are filled with opportunity . . . and peril.

This book is most like Flying Colours of the earlier novels, in that the action at sea is very limited while the time spent on land in France is extensive. Hornblower also meets with his old friends from that novel, M. le Comte and Mme. la Vicomtesse de Gracay.

As peace nears, it creates new challenges for Hornblower. Never a man to enjoy the salon, he finds that the demands of his wife's family bringing both Lady Barbara and he into increased social interactions with royalty and political leaders. These interactions are despised by Hornblower, and life loses its zest for him. How will he recapture the spirited focus that beating Boney has provided him over the last 20 years?

The Hornblower marriage is also put to new strains by the prospects of peace, and Hornblower finds himself tempted to stand aside from his role as Lady Barbara's social escort. How will Lady Barbara and her powerful brothers react?

Lord Hornblower reminds me of the story of Adam and Eve after they have tasted the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Hornblower knows himself better now, and also learns new things about Lady Barbara that had escaped him. He has new experiences that further add to his knowledge in this book. As a result, he's a more mature person, but a much more troubled one. With his greater reputation, influence, and wealth, he's also more inclined to stick his oar in to do what he thinks should be done . . . regardless of the consequences. The results are not always pretty for Hornblower, or for those who depend on him.

How does the warrior adapt to peace? Like in the StarTrek move, "The Undiscovered Country" you will find that it is a hard thing to do. Vigilance is also needed, lest the peace be lost.

Has some problem in your life become so continuing and pervasive that it dominates your perspective on everything? What would you do if you solved that problem, or it simply went away? Are you prepared to build from the fruits of your solution? Or will losing the problem be like losing a crutch instead, leaving you feeling crippled?

Look, think, and act for what is ahead . . . or be perpetually chained to what has been!

The best of the series, 15 Jul 1999
I prefer more mainstream historical fiction like "The Triumph and the Glory" or "Cold Mountain" to tightly focused sea tales like Forester's Hornblower series. But the Hornblower books are SO WELL DONE that I just can't resist them. Lord Hornblower tops a very good list of Hornblower books, it, only Hornblower During the Crisis is nearly as good.

An amazing saga of a British naval officer's career., 16 May 1999
I'd like to answer the British Columbia readers question. There are 11 novels in C.S. Forrester's Hornblower saga. Additionally, at least one publisher has books that contain up to three of the novels in one volume. Interestingly, Forester didn't write the 11 books in chronological order. Consequently, some publishers elect to place numbers on the spine of each book to indicate where a particular title falls in the chronology. The current US printing (1999), by Back Bay Books, a division of Little Brown and Co., is not complete. At least the last three chronological titles (Commodore Hornblower, Lord Hornblower and Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies) will hit the shelves later in 1999. I can't wait. Each book stands on its own and every one is addictive.

Confusion, 21 Apr 1999
I have began reading the Horatio Hornblower saga, but I have a few questions. How many books are there and in what order do they come. I am reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. I know that the next one is Lieutenant Hornblower, but I have unable to locate this one in my local library or on Amazon books. If any one has any imformation concerning anyting I have mentioned please e-mail me at proram@kermode.net

Thankyou

Don't miss these if you like historical fiction., 19 Dec 1998
My husband and I are collecting all the Hornblower books (preferably first editions). Excellent historical fiction. Great character development. I don't dare pick one up unless I am prepared to stay up until I finish it. Saw the old movie too!

Over in a Flash....., 09 Nov 2008
This is the 5th Flashman novel (chronologically) and is by far the best - so far. Fraser has nailed this one. Fast action, historical interest and the usual hillarious antics of Flashman make it an excellent read. Couldn't put this one down. Frequently tittered away to myself on my train journey to work. Other passengers probably thought I was mad! Thoroughly recommended.

Flashman vs the slave trade, 19 Feb 2008
The third of the Flashman series is a sublime meeting of form and function, way ahead of the first two novels. Wrapped up in a fast-moving, funny and genuinely exciting yarn is the author's well-researched mission to inform us of the horror, the complexity and the importance in the 19th century of the slave trade. Who better to cast a cynical eye on that most immoral of endeavours (almost incomprehensible to the modern mind) than our amoral `hands-on' anti-hero, Flashman? The author takes our engagingly unreliable, notoriously non-PC guide through the whole process, from the slave ship picking up its miserable cargo on the African coast, through the markets and the plantations of the slave states and on to the underground abolitionists helping runaways escape North. Even throws in a pivotal encounter with a young Abe Lincoln. Brilliant stuff, informing and entertaining in equal measure.

Flashman Comes to America (part 5 of 12), 29 Dec 2007
Harry Flashman comes to America, not of his own choosing, and not aboard a luxury Ocean cruiser with the cream of society. But again Flash is on the run after a game of 21 ends up with him in hot water. Needing a quick exit he has no choice but to board a slaver. Soon he is out of one bed and into another, out of one frying pan and into another. Find out which bed and which frying pan now! Once you open the first page you will be dying to find out who is trying to trim Flash's mustache.

The great thing about Flashman is the historic journeys that he takes you on which you do not learn at school in your history lessons. The slave trade was not the finest hour of the British Empire, but here the author enters the subject with abandon. And we also meet some truly influential historical figures in Disraeli and Lincoln.

A 6-SHOOTER of a read: historical, humorous, educational, tense, sexy, and the best of British.

Nefarious dealings, 20 Jul 2007
This is a story with a lesson. Never play vingt-et-un with Disraeli! Flashy is in a spot of bother again and the father in law packs him off to the Americas. Lucky escape you might think? But the ship he travels in happens to be a slaver. Damned inconvenient!

A series of leaps between frying pans and fires adds up to another exciting adventure for Flashy. Just watch out for that cad Abe Lincoln, he might be a bit of a bounder.

Shiver me timbers., 14 Apr 2007
Fantastic! It is impossible not to give any Flashman a 5 out of 5 and this one ce