Gerald Samper is a rather unique ghost writer. He specializes in penning the autobiographies of overrated sports individuals.

He resides in a magnificent house that he constructed himself, perched high in the Tuscan Hills. However, he often has to make frantic dashes back to London to handle his business affairs.

Currently, his client is Millie Cleat, a senior sailor who sails across the globe and is adored worldwide. But she's a bit dodgy, not above "retelling" her adventure stories in a way that casts her in a heroic light. Despite having only one arm, her ambitious dreams remain unhampered.

Although she's married, Millie is funded by her lover, an Australian multimillionaire. Her yacht is outfitted with the finest engineering that money can buy. Interestingly, the multimillionaire speaks like someone from a cheesy 1960s Australian TV tourist advertisement. At first, I wrongly assumed this was due to the novel being published in that era. But no, it was actually published in 2006.

The author, Hamilton-Paterson, does a great job of creating compelling male characters. However, his female characters tend to be dull, one-dimensional, or caricatures. Gerald Samper, on the other hand, is a complex man who frequently finds himself in unfortunate situations, which leads to great comedic effect.

Samper's cooking adventures are detailed in the novel and often involve unusual ingredients. A few recipes are even included, and his "Badger Wellington" is a real hit.

I truly appreciated Samper and relished his humorous perspective on the world. He's an opinionated man with broad cultural knowledge and a wonderful way with words. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. I just wish the female characters in the novel had been more fully developed and vibrant.

In the library a while ago, on a sudden impulse, I picked up "Cooking With Fernet Branca". Little did I know the genius that was about to be revealed to me.

It was written in a wonderfully engaging style, with a farcical plot that kept me entertained from start to finish. The truly awful puns, which are of course the best kind, added an extra layer of charm. I simply loved it.

I was overjoyed to discover the sequel, "Amazing Disgrace", and it turned out to be even better than the first one. "Fernet Branca" really hit its stride as the book progressed, and the sequel picks up right where the first installment left off. So it's no surprise that it's an incredibly enjoyable read, one of those books that you can't wait to pick up and never want to end.

I would highly recommend starting with "Fernet Branca" as the two books are inseparable. Naturally, I shall be on the lookout for the next installment, "Rancid Pansies", at the very first opportunity. Given the wide range of Mr Hamilton-Paterson's output, which includes poetry, aeronautical history, and oceanography, I will probably end up reading most of his works at some point.

I simply could not force myself to get through this particular one. It lacks all the charm that the first book possessed.

The wonderful interplay that existed between Gerald and Marta was precisely what made the first book truly great. However, this one is a complete failure.

There is no excitement, no engaging plot, and no captivating characters. It seems as if the author has lost the magic that made the first installment so appealing.

Readers who were eagerly anticipating this sequel will surely be disappointed. It fails to live up to the expectations set by the first book and leaves a lot to be desired.

Perhaps the author should have spent more time developing the story and characters to make this book more worthwhile. As it stands, it is a flop that will likely be forgotten among the many other books on the market.

A very, very funny book is a true gem. It has the power to make you laugh out loud and forget all your troubles. The characters in the book are so vivid and the story is full of hilarious situations. You can't help but get drawn into the world of the book and follow the adventures of the characters. It's the kind of book that you can pick up and read again and again, and still find something new and funny each time. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted read to pass the time or a book to share with friends, a very, very funny book is the perfect choice. It will bring a smile to your face and brighten up your day.

OMG!

What a dreadful mess this is!

I am so extremely sorry that I ever purchased this disgrace of a book.

It has been nothing but a disappointment from the very beginning.

The content is shoddy, the writing is poor, and it lacks any sort of coherence or value.

I feel cheated and misled by the description that was given.

This is not at all what I expected, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

I hope that others will be more cautious when choosing their reading material and avoid making the same mistake that I did.

It's truly a waste of money and time.

I can only hope that the publisher will take note of the negative reviews and do something to improve the quality of their products in the future.

Twisted humor, scary recipes, and a bizarre story. These elements combined to create a truly unique reading experience. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the strange world that the author had crafted. The narrator, although somewhat pathetic, had a certain charm that made me keep rooting for him throughout the entire book. It was like the previous book in that regard, where I found myself emotionally invested in the characters and their journey.

The twisted humor added a touch of lightness to what could have been a truly terrifying tale. The scary recipes were both grotesque and fascinating, making me wonder what kind of mind could come up with such things. And the bizarre story kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing what would happen next.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a wild ride from start to finish, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

**Title: Gerald Samper's Unusual World**

Gerald Samper, a biographical writer, has a rather unique approach. He writes biographies of people he despises, and in this process, he describes some truly revolting recipes.

For instance, he mentions a plate of scrumptious deep-fried mole crickets from the Philippines, which might not be to everyone's taste.

He also delves into the world of Emergency Cuisine by Emmeline Tyrwhitt-Glamis. Written in 1942 during the rationing days in London, the book details an unusual diet. Stray cats and dogs had vanished, and they were even used in the war effort. Dame Emmeline believed austerity could go too far and produced a stream of recipes, including owl tartlets, pigeon strudel, and more.

Moreover, Adam and Eve's experience in Eden is also recounted. Their lease was foreclosed, and they had to move to a less fashionable part of Mesopotamia. Eve had her own views on Eden, saying it was a bit too quiet and lacking in social life.

Overall, Gerald Samper's work combines the strange and the revolting, making for an interesting read. As a biographical writer of people with strange personalities, Gerald Samper can balance these against his truly revolting cooking.

Enjoy!

This installment of the series is not quite as outstanding as the first one, yet it still manages to be good.

There are times when all we seek is entertainment, and this series surely delivers in that regard.

It offers a certain charm and engaging elements that can capture our attention and keep us occupied.

Although it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, it has its own merits and can provide an enjoyable experience.

Whether it's the story, the characters, or the overall atmosphere, there is something here that can satisfy our craving for entertainment.

So, even though it may not be the best in the series, it's still a worthy addition that can bring some fun and enjoyment.

The second installment of the Gerald Samper stories is truly as uproarious as the first. It's reminiscent of the TV series Frasier, with its lofty character(s) getting embroiled in extremely embarrassing and lowbrow situations. Gerry is supremely confident in himself and unyielding in his judgments, and his occasional setbacks never undermine his self-assurance. It would be maddening if you weren't laughing so heartily.

I had a slight preference for the first book, Cooking with Fernet Branca, as Gerry had a counterpoint in his neighbor, Marta. Their alternating narration offered a respite from Gerry's non-stop commentary, and there was the added charm of their impressions of each other, which differed markedly from their self-perceptions.

This book concluded rather unexpectedly and shockingly, and I'm not certain if I was entirely pleased with that. Nevertheless, I will most definitely read the third book, Rancid Pansies, likely starting tonight on my way home from work.

Addendum 5/13/14: I was a bit disappointed that certain embarrassing incidents (such as the toilet mishap and ProWang side-effects) that occurred earlier in the book didn't resurface at the end. I had anticipated a Seinfeldian climax where George pulls a golf ball out of the whale, but that wasn't the case. Instead, what transpired was completely unforeseen and brought the book to an abrupt and unresolved conclusion. I had no option but to immediately commence reading Rancid Pansies. Well done, Hamilton-Paterson/Europa.

Plus, here are a few quotes that didn't make it into my status updates:

\\"...when nature takes away with one hand she sometimes gives back with the other, to the irritation of the majority from whom she only ever takes away with both.\\"

\\"...eating things you dislike because you've been told they're good for you is about as silly as collecting things you're not interested in because you've heard they're a good investment.\\"

The writing in this book is truly very clever.

The author has a remarkable way with words, crafting sentences and paragraphs that are engaging and interesting to read.

However, despite the clever writing, there doesn't seem to be much that actually happens in the story.

The plot seems to meander along without a clear direction or purpose.

There are no major events or conflicts that drive the story forward and keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

As a result, the book can feel a bit dull and uneventful at times.

It's a shame because the clever writing has the potential to create a truly great story, but without a strong plot, it falls short of its full potential.

Overall, while the writing is impressive, the lack of a meaningful plot makes this book a bit of a disappointment.

In this sequel to "Cooking with Fernet Branca", we once again come across Gerry Semper. He continues to putter around on his Tuscan mountaintop, engaging in kitchen experiments and ghostwriting memoirs for sports celebrities. His latest collaborator is Millie, a one-armed yachtswoman attempting to rebrand herself as the leader of a New Age-influenced fringe group of ocean lovers. Gerry teams up with a new friend, a marine biologist, with the intention of exposing Millie as a fraud, all while vying for a contract to pen the autobiography of a classical musician he truly admires.

I found this book less enjoyable than the first in the trilogy. Firstly, Marta is absent for most of the story, only making an appearance at the very end. The neighborly spats and misunderstandings that added so much humor to the first book are lacking here. Secondly, the recipes that had me in stitches in "Cooking with Fernet Branca" are few and far between in this installment. Instead, there are numerous rewritten songs and poems that didn't particularly interest me. Thirdly, the plot is rather thin. As I read, I constantly awaited something significant to occur. Gerry shuttles back and forth between Italy and England, has various meetings with Millie, his oceanographer friend, and another friend in London, but it all feels like setup for an event that never materializes. There is no grand unmasking of Millie's pretensions. The unexpected return of Marta does not provide a satisfying conclusion to the book.

Nonetheless, despite the book's shortcomings as a story, the writing remains engaging. Gerry, at his most cantankerous, is witty, scathing, and always entertaining. I wanted to highlight at least a dozen cutting remarks for future reference!

I believe that the last time I laughed uproariously was a full 25 years ago, precisely when I chanced upon David Lodge.

The term "hilarious" is often bandied about and overused. However, in this particular instance, it could not be more fitting.

David Lodge's works have this magical quality that can instantly transport you into a world filled with wit, humor, and absurdity. His characters are so vividly drawn and their situations so comically relatable that it's impossible not to be completely engrossed and entertained.

The way he weaves together storylines and dialogues is truly a work of art. Each page is filled with clever one-liners, unexpected twists, and moments that will have you doubling over with laughter.

Even after all these years, the memory of those hilarious moments from his books still lingers in my mind, bringing a smile to my face whenever I think about them.