I am truly and deeply sorry that there are no longer any more books about Gerald Samper available. I have developed an intense love for this character. The writing style is not only wonderfully witty but also extremely clever, which constantly keeps me engaged and entertained. The imaginary operas he creates are nothing short of brilliant, opening up a whole new world of imagination for me.
However, I have to admit that I have learned to skip reading his recipes. The reason is that they somehow make my stomach queasy. But just imagine receiving a dinner invitation from him! It would surely be an experience like no other, filled with his unique charm and creativity.
Despite the disappointment of not having more books, I will always cherish the ones I have read and the memories they have brought me. Gerald Samper has truly left an indelible mark on my literary journey.
Better than the first of the trio, this one truly stands out as the funniest. It is laugh-out-loud funny, capable of eliciting genuine laughter from the reader. Just like Fernet Branca, which has its own unique charm, this piece is well-written and incredibly easy to read. It is filled with wit and warmth, creating a delightful reading experience. I was truly sad when I reached its end, as if I had to part ways with a dear friend. However, that sadness was quickly lifted when I discovered the third and last installment of the series. It gave me hope that there was more to come, more laughter and more wonderful moments to be had. I can't wait to dive into the final part and see how the story concludes.
Effete snob Gerald Samper has made his return once more. He is a writer and a loner, but one has to wonder if those two qualities are truly distinct. Somehow, despite his efforts to seclude himself in his Italian mountain eyrie, he still manages to land himself in hilarious scrapes. In "Amazing Disgrace," the follow-up to Hamilton-Paterson's delightful "Cooking with Fernet Branca," I discovered that there was something lacking. Maybe I desired more recipes of Samper's outrageous culinary endeavors, or perhaps it was because Samper's pretentiousness seemed less humorous and far more aggravating. Nonetheless, H-P writes with a zest that I struggle to find anywhere else. It is precisely this particular brand of English sarcasm that I simply cannot get enough of.
Gerald Samper's character is both entertaining and frustrating. His attempts to isolate himself only seem to lead to more comical situations. The new book, "Amazing Disgrace," while not quite as satisfying as its predecessor, still has its moments. The writing style of Hamilton-Paterson is engaging and full of life. The use of English sarcasm adds a unique flavor to the story. However, the lack of certain elements, such as more detailed recipes or a more likable portrayal of Samper, leaves something to be desired. Overall, it is an interesting read that will appeal to fans of the author's previous work.
A highly anticipated novel, this serves as the sequel to the delightfully irreverent Cooking with Fernet Branca. Once more, Gerald Samper makes his return, demeaning his talent (as he would put it) by ghostwriting the biography of a one-armed, record-breaking yachtswoman, the brutally ambitious Millie Cleat.
Regrettably, a great deal of the magic present in the first novel is absent here. The inspired madness of the initial book stemmed from the combative relationship between Gerald and his neighbour Marta. In this installment, there is an excessive amount of stage setting, and insufficient time is dedicated to the odious Millie or to the comedic set pieces that were so successful the first time around.
For those approaching this book for the first time, they may still find enjoyment in it. However, my recommendation is to commence with Fernet Branca.
This is a very witty follow-up to Cooking with Fernet Branca. There is a lot less discussion of food in this installment, but the meals are still just as weird. The main character, Gerry, is more fully developed in this book. He is one cynical, snarky, sick, and wickedly funny guy.
Gerry is sick of his career as a biographer to sports stars. This is mostly due to his disdain for his sports star clients. In this book, his main client is a one-armed, grandmother yachtswoman who is eager to be famous. She makes an excellent target for Gerry's cynicism and wit. Through his work with her, he meets other characters that allow him to show more of his personality.
The situations he gets himself into are laugh-out-loud funny. I'm not typically into bathroom humor, but Hamilton-Paterson manages to make it a bit more cerebral. And what's with the PowRTabs, Gerry?
Overall, this book is a great read. It's full of humor, interesting characters, and strange situations. I am really looking forward to the third book in this series to see what adventures Gerry will get himself into next.