The Liar by Stephen Fry Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Liar
Book Review: multi-layered and clever, a thoroughly enjoyable novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Stephen Fry's novel THE LIAR is a highly entertaining and original read. Comedic situations range from ironic to hilarious. The author's acting experience has apparently influenced his writing; this book is quite visual. The videotaped school meeting scene in Chapter 6 is a cool blend of clever dialog and slapstick humor (I'd never READ slapstick before this!). And although the book is billed as Comedy, there are in fact several scenes that are quite touching. . . . Americans may have some trouble with specifically British references, yet as shown in the following paragraph (in which Adrian and Prof. Trefusis leave school on a mysterious mission) descriptions are rich, and context explains most of what one needs to know about the scene, Horlicks notwithstanding: . . . >> The interior of the car smelt of Merton Park thrillers, Bakelite headsets and the Clothes Ration. It only needed the profile of Edgar Wallace or the voice of Edgar Lustgarten to sweep Adrian and Trefusis, with bells ringing, into a raincoat and Horlicks Britain of glistening pavements, trilbied police inspectors and poplin shirts. So familiar was the odour, so complete the vision it evoked as they swung with a whine of gears out of the college gates and onto the Trumpington Road, that Adrian could almost believe in reincarnation. He had never smelt that precise smell before, yet it was as familiar as his own socks. << . . . I recommend THE LIAR to anyone who wants to luxuriate in good writing. It's like a fine multi-layered wine. Take your time and enjoy it! - Terry Cox-HortonBook Review: oscar wilde & evelyn waugh would be proud
Summary: 5 Stars
the cleverest, funniest, and naughtiest book i have read, full stop.Book Review: typical Fry!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm so in love with everything Mr. Fry does and could not wait to get my hands on a copy of this particular work, especially since having read Moab is my Washpot, where he referred to The Liar as being highly autobiographical.
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it and several pages had me laughing out loud. The author is truly a gem.
This story has it all... humour, homoeroticism, high-brow wit, all the H's (tee hee)! And like all of Stephen's work it was brilliantly written and positively dripping with linguistic cleverness while still remaining immensely entertaining.
This is definitely going to be one of those books I grab off the shelf again and again