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Word Monkey

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Word Monkey

By: Christopher Fowler
Narrated by: Sean Pertwee
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This is the memoir Christopher Fowler always wanted to write about 'writing'.

It's the story of how a young bookworm growing up in a house where there was nothing to read but knitting pamphlets and motorcycle manuals became a writer - a 'word monkey' - and pursued a sort of career in popular fiction. And it's a book full of brilliant insights into the pleasures and pitfalls of his profession, dos and don'ts for would-be writers, and astute observations on favourite (and not-so-favourite) novelists.

But woven into this hugely entertaining and inspiring reflection on a literary life is an altogether darker thread. In Spring 2020, just as the world went into lockdown, Chris was diagnosed with terminal cancer. And yet there is nothing of the misery memoir about Word Monkey. Past and present intermingle as, in prose as light as air, he relates with wry humour and remarkable honesty what he knows will be the final chapter in his story.

Deeply moving, insightful and surprisingly funny, this is Christopher Fowler's life-affirming account of coming to terms with his own mortality.

'A delight . . . a glorious, witty and life-affirming ragbag of autobiography, cultural commentary and hard-won wisdom.' ANDREW TAYLOR, author of The Shadows of London

'Perceptive, wise and illuminating . . . an unmissable farewell.' Barry Forshaw, FINANCIAL TIMES

'The most hilarious, life-affirming book you’ll read this year.' SAGA magazine©2023 Christopher Fowler (P)2024 W.F. Howes Ltd Art & Literature Authors Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Funny Witty
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All stars
Most relevant
No words. Just simply amazing. Thank you, Mister Christopher Fowler. Thank you, Pete. Well done and well fought.

Amazing

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I've loved Christopher Fowler's writing for a long time, but I'm still amazed that he could juxtapose such an honest account of his progress through cancer towards death with a truly valuable guide to reading and writing. One of few books I've wanted to start again as soon as I finished it.

A Reference Book That Made Me Laugh and Cry

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I wasted a credit on this book and cannot return it. I have read his fiction and Newspaper Boy but this is jreally depressing . If I had known what it was about I wouldn’t have bought it.

Very depressing

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