Rating: 5/5
Review:
Funny and enjoyable
I enjoyed this second volume of Scoundrels even more than the first,
about which I had some reservations. In Volume 2, the gross humour
and absurdity is all still there but toned down a couple of notches
most of the time, which to me made it a rather funnier parody of
those Ripping Yarns of effortlessly gifted posh boys saving the
world.
The plot...well, the
plot is bonkers as our two heroes go on various “undertakings”
for the club throughout the late 50s and the 60s, but it sort of
hangs together, though, as they attempt to save the world from
arch-villain Hansclapp. It makes for very entertaining reading which
made me laugh out loud several times as they become absurdly
embroiled in major (sorry) world events, with Hollywood stars and
even in the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship. It’s full of
sexual and genitally-based humour and some of it (like the wedding
photos) is just shameless schoolboy innuendo, so be warned – the
more sensitive reader may find it crude and offensive. Personally,
though, I found it well done enough to make me laugh rather than
cringe. There are some very funny and innocent jokes, too (including
a fine running gag about cigarettes), plus some rather touching
events as well, so there’s a good deal more to it than just
somewhat gross knockabout humour.
This may not be an
immortal comedy classic, but I enjoyed it very much so I’ve rounded
4.5 stars up to 5. If it sounds like your sort of thing, do give it
a try. I was a bit sceptical before I read Scoundrels, but found it
a really amusing read and I can recommend it warmly.
(My thanks to
Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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