Tristan explained how, with his first two novels, The Gone-Away World and Angelmaker, Nick Harkaway swiftly established himself as a writer of prodigious imagination, with the capacity to combine hi-jinks plotting with high concepts: ninjas, pirates, octogenarian spies, leagues of undertakers and mechanical bees that might induce the apocalypse. He manages a very delicate balance, in that the books are gloriously exuberant and entertaining, but also emotionally affecting and intellectually satisfying.
Tristan was looking for something similar with Tigerman, and it is the same in many ways, though the empathy is more plangent and the ideas more frightening. That said, it is also his take on the superhero novel. Tigerman may be - very broadly - realistic, but it asks similar questions about damaged heroism and idealistic villainy. 7/10
Keith declared it "an enjoyable romp" 7/10
Nick considered the outfit impractical and felt there was insufficient romp-iness. A lack of romp, if you will. He couldn't even remember much about it before dismissing it as "airport pulp fiction". 5/10
Nigel was having none of this negativity and heralded it as as amongst the very best books that Hove Book Group have ever read. He loved it and it has rocketed straight into the list of his favourite 30 books ever. He came to this book having never heard of Nick Harkaway and he finished it resolved to read the rest of his books.
Nigel was having none of this negativity and heralded it as as amongst the very best books that Hove Book Group have ever read. He loved it and it has rocketed straight into the list of his favourite 30 books ever. He came to this book having never heard of Nick Harkaway and he finished it resolved to read the rest of his books.
Tigerman is a book that boasts a compelling plot, humour, originality, prescient observations on the modern world, love, humanity, politics, duty, and more. Nick Harkaway has created an alternate universe - immersive, amusing, poignant, profound, compelling, charming, and more than a little askew - both similar and strange, which reminded me of both China Miéville and Magnus Mills which, you probably don’t need me to tell you, is a very good thing.
Hats off Nick Harkaway. A stunning achievement. "Tigerman” is very special indeed, and an absolute delight. 10/10
Robin loved the action. Action! Yes! 7/10
Hamish thought it was a fantastic concept with humour and depth. Nick Harkaway's great gift as a novelist - one he shares with writers such as China Miéville - is to merge the pace, wit and clarity of the best "popular" literature with the ambition, complexity and irony of the so-called "literary" novel. Tigerman is in some ways all about the stripes: the distinctive becomes camouflage. 8/10
PS: One month later Hamish stated he should increase his rating from 8/10
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| NIck - airport pulp fiction |
Robin loved the action. Action! Yes! 7/10
Hamish thought it was a fantastic concept with humour and depth. Nick Harkaway's great gift as a novelist - one he shares with writers such as China Miéville - is to merge the pace, wit and clarity of the best "popular" literature with the ambition, complexity and irony of the so-called "literary" novel. Tigerman is in some ways all about the stripes: the distinctive becomes camouflage. 8/10
PS: One month later Hamish stated he should increase his rating from 8/10
MUSIC “Are you Satisfied?” (2015) by Slaves
Hove Book Group loves Slaves. True dat.
Loud, angry, political, funny
Nick punched the air in delight and hollered... I LOVE SLAVES.
FILM: “The Wall” (2013) dir by Julian Roman Pölsler
Tristan apologised for inflicting it on us
