Briefs Encountered

And of course is this old house responsible for the obstacles encountered It's not a simple ghost story by any means but it does touch on the afterlife in an extremely optimistic way.

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Julian Clary cleverly inserts himself into the story, only when absolutely necessary and without glorifying himself. I was extremely impressed and surprised by this page turner of a novel and without sounding condescending, I didn't think Julian had it in him! I hope he continues writing. If you are open-minded to gay relationships this book is definately worthy of your time.

Sep 16, Christine rated it it was amazing Shelves: A wonderful, whimsical romp through just about every literary genre possible. Made a horrible few days so much better, and I look forward to reading or, even better, listening to more. Oct 18, Shannon rated it really liked it. Lots of plot twists. Feb 23, Maya Panika rated it really liked it. Is history about to repeat itself? Well yes… and no - and to say more would spoil the book completely. Most of the comedy is to be found in these passages, and the comedy is pure Julian Clary, all bitchy observation and camp-asides, all of it gloriously laugh-out-loud funny.

But, delicious as the comedy is, it's just the froth, resting lightly on the surface of a much darker tale, of betrayal, madness, jealousy and revenge that spans the decades. Packed with humour, wit, warmth, pathos, dark tragedy and a pleasing twist at the end, this is a rattling good read; wonderful material for a TV miniseries or film. Apr 06, Lucy rated it really liked it. I read an article about this book a while back in the Mail and knew I just had to read it. It really has lived up to my expectations and in fact exceeded them.

It is a great read! The twists and turns will make the hairs on your neck stand on end! It takes you to places you never would have imagined it would go - past, present and even the future. The premise of the story is actually loosely based on reality. You meet Richard Stent who is a rich and famous actor known for amongst other things his I read an article about this book a while back in the Mail and knew I just had to read it.

You meet Richard Stent who is a rich and famous actor known for amongst other things his portrayal of Noel Coward. He gets so under Noel's skin that he starts to collect all things Coward-esq. He discovers that none other than Julian Clary lives in Mr Cowards old house, Goldenhurst Old Manor and as luck would have it is looking to sell up. He is so self deprecating and writes himself in as his worst critic might view him, to hilarious ends The relationships of Noel and his partner Jack in the 30s and Richard and Fran in the present day are beautifully written.

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You really get a feel for their relationships and also how they had to live in those times compared to the lives we lead today. Julian very cleverly switches between these two times frames, taking it a chapter in turn. Once Richard has moved into the house, it soon makes its feelings known. I will of course not give anything away, just to say that I had no idea where the book would take me but very much enjoyed the journey. It comprises of comedy, horror, people, life really as we know it now and knew it then. I highly recommend it. Aug 01, Ada marked it as no-intention-of-reading Shelves: Sometimes I buy a book purely based on the cover.

It doesn't happen very often but some covers just scream: Still it happens often enough that it is not that unusual for me. But to be repulsed with a cover To see it and think: To me it was so obviously meant for the female audience. Like all those covers a few years back on the books of the 'chicklit' genre. I was so glad to see those gone. So my r Sometimes I buy a book purely based on the cover. So my repulsion is partly a personal taste. In our masculine society would a man buy this book?

I mean kuddo's for every man who would buy this without shame. I say this because, you know the book is about two men loving each other. In my head that means that men are also the targeted audience. And this cover is not very gender neutral is it? Not in our society as it is today.

I don't know why this specific cover bugs me so much because I see the same thing in urban fantasy view spoiler [ I don't really care for half clothed ladies on my cover, especially when sex isn't the main attraction of the book and when the main couple is FM romance and not FF, but heterosexual women are the targeted audience hide spoiler ] over and over again.

Briefs Encountered – Julian Clary | Savidge Reads

It does and just like that I have no intention of reading this book. Sep 23, Louise Graham rated it really liked it. This is story is written about two Gay actors in two-time periods. Set in the present day you meet Richard Stent as he purchases a run down house that is on the market by no other than Julian Clary! Richard is so fascinated with Noel that he puts up with the strange goings on in the house just to be near his idle.

There is so much more to the house that just a past! This book follows two lives at two different time periods but the two are so connected. There are lots of chapters where the story will surprise you about as you turn the pages, with a haunted elements running all the way through. I throughly enjoyed this book and was hooked from page one — Fabulous read! Very cleverly named book! Mar 06, Tim Roast rated it really liked it. This book was written by comedian Julian Clary, but if you're thinking it's a laugh-all-the-way-through type of novel then you'd be sadly mistaken.

This is a serious novel about a house with a history hence ghosts. For me it was a novel of two halves: Throughout the story is told in two different eras, the s-1 This book was written by comedian Julian Clary, but if you're thinking it's a laugh-all-the-way-through type of novel then you'd be sadly mistaken.

Throughout the story is told in two different eras, the ss covering Noel Coward's tenure at the property, and the modern day telling the story of actor Richard Stent's stay there having bought the house from one Julian Clary a character in his own book - he has one big ego doesn't he. Then at the end the two eras collide in a satisfying climax having read a few double entendres in the book it seems to be rubbing off on me; I'd better stop now before I get ahead of myself.

Apr 18, Sarah rated it it was ok. I have read one other Julian Clary novel and I absolutely loved it but I did not enjoy this book as much. For the first two thirds of the book pretty much nothing happens. The writing is good and the characters are well crafted and effective but there just is not enough plot to sustain for most of the book. There were bits I did like. I liked the way the twin stories had parallels and the juxtaposition of modern and historic attitudes to homosexuality and also the writing was excellent.

Mar 29, Lea rated it it was amazing. I was really surprised by this book, knowing Mr Clarys persona i was really expecting a smut filled book, but i was wrong. Its based around Richard Stent present day and Noel Coward obviously not current day! It dabbles with the spirit world but in a very subtle way. Mental illness is also dealt with, in a sensitive manor. I loved the way Richards and Noels lives were very similar and how the house reacted to their lovers. There is a bit of bedroom actio I was really surprised by this book, knowing Mr Clarys persona i was really expecting a smut filled book, but i was wrong.

There is a bit of bedroom action in this book, but its done really well and not at all smutty, some people might not be comfortable with gay side if things but it doesnt bother me. All in all it was a funny, well written, romantic and sensitve book and i loved it Mar 08, AdiTurbo rated it did not like it. The characters are uninteresting - they all seem like some sort of cardboard image of what people think these people are or were like.

I thought Clary's writing himself as a character wasn't at all funny, and ruined the whole "suspension of disbelief" thing for me. Nothing much happens, and the descriptions of the house and its defects begin to tire after a while. I'm very disappointed, as I loved Clary's first novel, which was truly brilliant. I hope he goes back to form in his next one. May 27, Chris Walker rated it really liked it.

There are several laugh out loud moments in this book, although clearly not aimed at a middle aged woman in her late 50s. I perhaps learnt a tad too much about the sexual proclivities of the homosexual male but thoroughly enjoyed the story nonetheless. My copy of the book was read by Julian himself and I do think he did a splendid job of Noel Coward's voice and the other characters.

I was there, Darling. I was simply there. I loved how he weaved his own character into the story and was not afrai There are several laugh out loud moments in this book, although clearly not aimed at a middle aged woman in her late 50s. I loved how he weaved his own character into the story and was not afraid to get some dirt dished at himself in the process. There are some dreadful puns and jokes but it's all in good fun.

I guess he felt he had to be there, because there is no show without Punch. Apr 01, Venuskitten rated it really liked it. Richard lives in the country house formerly owned by Noel Coward and later by Julian Clary who takes a cameo role in his own book , as well as a few ghosts, and the story shifts between the s and the present day. This is an enjoyable and well written novel by Julian Clary, who shows that there is more to him than his camp comedian stage persona. I had not read any of his books be Richard lives in the country house formerly owned by Noel Coward and later by Julian Clary who takes a cameo role in his own book , as well as a few ghosts, and the story shifts between the s and the present day.

I had not read any of his books before this one, but I would like to read more of his work. Feb 14, Lisa Bennett rated it it was ok Shelves: Did not enjoy this book. Nothing like his previous 2 books, which were really enjoyable. This one was very boring. It flipped from one story to the next each chapter, didn't flow very well, and was very uninteresting indeed. No wonder so many celebrities have raved about it, the only reason why they have is because they're in it!

And casting himself as a character in the book was blatantly egotistical. I thought it was funny when he was mentioned in Devil in Disguise, but that was a fleeting men Did not enjoy this book. I thought it was funny when he was mentioned in Devil in Disguise, but that was a fleeting mention, this he's in it often, which is so boring. I'm very disappointed in this book. May 03, Robert Greenfield rated it it was amazing. Julian Clary has really come into his own as one hell of an author with Briefs Encountered.

Utterly mesmeric, brilliantly written and a hugely entertaining page-turner. I love the way he has got into Noel Coward's mind echoing the life of Richard Stent a fictional fading film star who has bought Goldenhurst Coward's former house, which Julian Clary now lives in.

This book has it all: There are so many twist and turns delivered to Julian Clary has really come into his own as one hell of an author with Briefs Encountered. There are so many twist and turns delivered to shock. And boy do they! Nov 09, Moira rated it really liked it. A wicked, witty read. Julian Clary's "voice" echoes throughout. It was especially gleeful to discover the author himself included in a not very flattering role. Apart from all the fun and laughs, this is a well constructed book with 2 igneous oops!

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Ingenious , interwoven plots and strong characters. So clever to include Coward and various members of his set, plus Julian's own gorgeous Elizabethan pile. The ghostly presence of Fanny the Wonder Dog would have been even more fun. Apr 07, Leah Cripps rated it liked it. Two stories running parallel about Noel Coward's life in the 's and a fictional film star and Coward fan Richard Stent in the present day living at a large and haunted estate called Goldenhurst in Kent.

This was very enjoyable and easy read, silly and camp and it felt like it was written by a true english lady Julian Clary. Clary has always made me laugh out loud as a stand up Comedian and he is just as witty and sarcastic as an author. Jun 26, Haldoor42 rated it really liked it.

Hilarious and heartwarming all at once. I love the way the Noel Coward's past life and the fictitious Richard Stent's current life in the country house are intertwined and alternated. The story has some great twists and the ghostly goings-on kept me wrapped up in it from start to finish. Wonderfully done - the little touches with the author popping into the story were also very amusing. Jun 16, Julie Pw rated it really liked it. Was looking for something a little different to read on holiday and yes it was the name that drew me, hadn't read any of this others.

So easy to slip between to the 2 time periods and imagine the two old gays romping around with their own little gaggle of chums. All centred around an old house which Richard present day falls in love with, unbeknown to him so had Noel past , only Noel hadn't yet completely left the house. Apr 05, Samuel rated it really liked it. Utterly enrapturing tragicomedy that I knew I'd love before I'd bought it.

And from the first page, it proved that it was. Clary is just as filthy, witty and delightful in print as he is on stage. On finishing, I was left with an enormous grin on my face - not because the book had finally come to an end, of course, but because of the uplifting and hilarious conclusion. Jun 21, Suzy Wilson rated it did not like it Shelves: I was actually quite looking forward to this one - I find Julian Clary hilarious, ordinarily. It's clear Mr Clary was aiming for a light, humorous homage to Coward and his coterie.

It's not all hideous. There were amusing moments, but overall this just didn't work for me. I just couldn't feel it! Jul 09, Michelle Fletcher rated it it was amazing. Fantastic read, second Julian Clary booked I have read and it did not disappoint. Brilliantly written, using a mix of real and fictional characters, with past and present entwined, really draws you into the story. Can't wait for more from Mr Clary, I thank you. Feb 17, Rory rated it really liked it. This was a good book. Julian Clary read it himself and I listened to it as an audio book. The scene setting is a bit slow but Julian brings it to life.

I wanted more of them. She puffed out her ample chest and her weak chin wrinkled as she tightened her lips. I will say that it adds a delightful mystery element to the novel on top of all the drama, wonderful characters and the humour both waspish and innuendo filled throughout the book. Yes, it got a little melodramatic here and there but sometimes you just want to escape into a book. Tagged as Julian Clary , Noel Coward. My favourite bits of this book were undoubtedly those for the same reason, I know little about the era but find it fascinating.

I am reading this at the moment Simon and enjoying it very much. I adore Noel Coward, always have done, and have his diaries and letters on my shelves all read and re-read. What comes though inhis wiriting is that basically he was a warm hearted and kind man who remained true and staunch to his family and friends. It does get a little OTT but in a kind of bizarrely brilliant way.

Briefs Encountered

I think some celebrities can actually do it. Julian is one, Dawn French is another. Do give it a whirl if you can. Oh no poor you, I hope you are better now as it has taken me so long to comment back, sorry , hope you enjoyed it if you have read it. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Facebook Google. May 2, at 7: May 16, at 6: May 2, at May 3, at 1: May 4, at 4: Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here