A Spot of Bother
A Spot of Bother
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006
Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
•
Modern Classic Fiction•
Dramatic LiteratureEngland • Early 2000s
2006
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Mark Haddon's novel A Spot of Bother follows retired 61-year-old George Hall, a hypochondriac obsessed with his health, who discovers a lesion on his hip and mistakenly believes he has cancer. Meanwhile, his family faces their own crises: his wife, Jean, has an affair, his daughter, Katie, plans a wedding George disapproves of, and his son, Jamie, struggles with his relationship.
Humorous
Emotional
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
38,623 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother offers a darkly comic take on family dynamics, capturing the protagonist's spiraling hypochondria amidst personal turmoil. Reviews applaud its witty prose and rich characterizations, though some critique its pacing and overly dramatic elements. Overall, it provides an engaging exploration of middle-class anxieties and mental health.
Who Should Read A Spot of Bother?
A reader who enjoys darkly humorous, character-driven narratives about family dynamics, akin to Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons, would appreciate Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother. This novel is ideal for those who relish exploring the complexities of modern life and deeply flawed, wonderfully relatable characters.
38,623 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
•
Modern Classic Fiction•
Dramatic LiteratureEngland • Early 2000s
2006
Adult
18+ years
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