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The Satsuma Complex

The million copy bestselling first novel – 'funny, clever and sweet' Sunday Times

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The Satsuma Complex

By: Bob Mortimer, Sally Phillips
Narrated by: Bob Mortimer
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*WINNER OF THE BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE PRIZE FOR COMIC FICTION 2023*

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Funny, clever and sweet’– Sunday Times

‘The much loved comic proves adept at noirish fiction in a debut whose surrealist humour sets it apart’ – Observer

My name is Gary. I’m a thirty-year-old legal assistant with a firm of solicitors in London. To describe me as anonymous would be unfair but to notice me other than in passing would be a rarity. I did make a good connection with a girl, but that blew up in my face and smacked my arse with a fish slice.

Gary Thorn goes for a pint with a work acquaintance called Brendan. When Brendan leaves early, Gary meets a girl in the pub. He doesn’t catch her name, but falls for her anyway. When she suddenly disappears without saying goodbye, all Gary has to remember her by is the book she was reading: The Satsuma Complex. But when Brendan goes missing, Gary needs to track down the girl he now calls Satsuma to get some answers.

And so begins Gary’s quest, through the estates and pie shops of South London, to finally bring some love and excitement into his unremarkable life…

A page-turning story with a cast of unforgettable characters, The Satsuma Complex is the brilliantly funny smash hit first novel by bestselling author and comedian Bob Mortimer.
 Literature & Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Comedy Funny Witty Feel-Good England
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Critic reviews

'The much loved comic proves adept at noirish fiction in a debut whose surrealist humour sets it apart ... Off the wall doesn’t quite cover it ... Fans of Mortimer’s surrealist turns on Would I Lie to You? or his internet sketch show Train Guy won’t be disappointed. Nor will crime fiction devotees, if only they can get over the talking squirrels.'
'Funny, clever and sweet – and the "Richard Osman effect" will make it a bestseller ... The good news is that there is a lot of Mortimer’s ridiculousness in all this. Gary loves a regular chat with a squirrel in his playground, and his favourite chat-up lines include, “Have you ever needed to use a tourniquet in your work environment?”'
'As in his television work, Mortimer conveys an infectious joy in his own oddity, and, as his recent bestselling memoir And Away… showed, there is a sweetness to his worldview that makes his writing gently poignant. And although I can’t imagine non-fans emerging anything other than baffled, those who are used to his brand of weirdness will find that the book works well as a thriller, too. Like Spike Milligan, the only vintage comic whose fiction is still read, Mortimer has managed to use a novel as a vehicle for his distinctive comedic voice.'
'An offbeat romantic thriller, as if Salvador Dali scripted a Hitchcock film... It's as a comic novel that the book is most memorable. It contains the funniest description of somebody having a bath that you're ever likely to read… But there is genuine tension at times, and I came to believe in and care about the central characters. More than just a tour of the wonderfully weird mind of Mortimer, it works - for the most part - as a novel.'
'I’m delighted to report it’s as hilarious and surreal as you would expect… stuffed with laugh-out-loud moments.'
'With Mortimer’s self-mocking wit, plus an audio version read by Sally Phillips, alongside the man himself, what’s not to love?'
'The first novel from comedy legend Bob Mortimer is as funny, idiosyncratic and full of squirrels as you’d expect. It’s also really rather lovely.'
'Mr Clown Shoes. Lassoo the dog. The corn cob dongle. Just three hilarious elements of The Satsuma Complex – a surprisingly serious debut novel from Would I Lie To You? and Gone Fishing comedy star Bob Mortimer. The stellar success of his surreal and semi-truthful autobiography And Away… caused clamour for a fully fictional follow-up, and Mortimer fulfils the brief with a remarkably dark and gritty tale of sink estate murder, law and order mystery, and honey-trap romance. His distinctive tone and bizarrely British humour sing from every page, with the story swinging from side-splitting set-pieces to moments of real pathos and high drama. It’s a bit unusual, but you’ll love it.'
All stars
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This is a crime thriller !! And then Bob has got into it and added his genius mind . It is full of re spawned characters from Athletico Mince and some new ones . Bob as has not disappointed……” he looked at me as if I were an advert for a donkey sanctuary “ This is probably better on audio as you have the joy of Bob and Sally reading the story . 10/10

Not what I expected !!!

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I read a review of the book and the reviewer mentioned imagining Bob Mortimers voice in character while reading, no need to imagine, here it is, so much more than an audio book, loved the characters, the voices, especially the squirrel, sad i have finished it, might have to give it another go in a few weeks.

Not an audio book, a Bob Mortimer play, amazing.

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As much as I enjoyed this, I couldn’t help feel as though I was trapped on a dangerous fair ground ride controlled by a lunatic. Everything a decent thriller should be.

Warped, mad, very funny and exciting

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A surprisingly good and addictive story. Voices from Bob instantly recognisable from the Athletico Mince podcasts. Initially had problems with the prominent deep breaths from Sally but this was all forgiven when I heard her swearing after making a reading error. This was either missed or left in on purpose but certainly made me smile.

Great descriptions of characters but I personally couldn't picture anyone other than Bob - not a bad thing. Recommended.

A good, fun listen.

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I imagine this book will divide opinion somewhat but I reckon if you enjoy his stories on ‘Would I Lie To You’ then you’re probably in safe hands. It’s a simple story but delivered in a typically imaginative and slightly abstract way - the turn of phrase will also be familiar to his fans. Oh and train guy kind of makes an appearance!

If you like Bob Mortimer telling stories then you’re in luck

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