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Reviews
"A dark premise for a story, yet told with
startling wit and excitement. The incredibly humorous dialogue means you’ll
chuckle until your pancreas ruptures. The characters are genius, all of
us can relate to a character or two from Spritz. Pages literally jump
out and I found myself visualising the scenes, completely immersed in
my new surroundings."
Ali Khan, Surrey Advertiser Book Club
* * * * *
"Spritz, the impressive debut novel
from Neil J Hart, introduces us to some of South Wales’ biggest
misfits, whose lives become intertwined by a series of whirlwind events.
These dramas earn the book definite 'page turner' status, but the real
key to Spritz is Hart’s ability to hit all the right emotional notes,
making the reader care about a fairly unattractive cast of characters.
A spectacular climax completes this journey through the timeless themes
of hope, despair and sometimes even love."
Jenny McConnell, Presenter 96.4FM Eagle
"A product clearly of the whole spectrum of
popular culture... Spritz is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys outlandish,
quintessentially British humour, and also extraordinary events populated
by recognisable everyday characters."
Gavin Finney, The Farnham Herald
Reviews taken from Waterstones.com
Spritz is an accomplished debut novel rich in great
charactersations. The beautifully drawn cast are especially effective
because the dialogue is so convincingly realistic, even in the midst of
a compelling, yet crazy, plot line.
The pull of the story is irresistible, very dark and yet wildly comical
- I held my breath many times and laughed out loud regularly! (Probably
good for yoga, I would imagine....)
I recommend this novel to anyone seeking something different,dark and
very very funny.
I hope the author writes more about his main characters - I for one will
cheer if he does.
Joy Gelardi *****
Reviews taken from Amazon.co.uk
Spritz
I haven't laughed so hard at a book in years, Spritz combines the surreal
and reality in seamless fashion telling the stories of several lives that
become irreparably intertwined. The book rattles along at a cracking pace
and as with most good books is hard to put down, a very entertaining read
indeed and the funniest book I have read in a long while, congratulations
to the author Neil Hart in telling a story in a manner that keeps you
guessing until the end!
Julian Wilson *****
A book and writer
to treasure
Highly imaginative, and very much of our time, here is a book to delight
with its wit and startling humour - which sometimes speaks of darker things.
Great characterisation, too, revealed within charmingly fantastic episodes,
which include some touching quirks of fate. It couldn't remotely reflect
reality on any level - or could it?
J. Little "Dr. No" *****
Compelling comedy
- a cocktail of pathos and humour.
"This is the funniest book I have read in a long while. Neil has
a way of making even the blackest of scenes spring off the pages and I
almost needed medical assistance after reading the granny and the kebab
scene. The short chapters tangle the characters together in a perfect
knot drawn together by the alcoholic, Bob Flint. Spritz offers a cocktail
of pathos and humour that keeps you guessing to the end. I look forward
to Neil's next novel."
Janine Pulford, Author of the novel Aggracore
*****
Wow! Seriously
Good!
Spritz by Neil J Hart is by far the funniest book I have read in ages,
one of those books that are so absorbing and difficult to put down. Spritz
has a most ingenious plot and in parts it is blackly shocking and certainly
full of unexpected twists. Set in Swansea it is full of characters who
are so cringingly real that they feel like people you might know - or
in some cases people you do not want to know! Spritz is a seriously good
and very well thought out novel which will amuse - I hope this is the
first of a series about Bob Flint and Co. I will be watching out for more
Neil J Hart with great anticipation.
M. A. Connell (Woking, UK) *****
Refreshing!
This is a wonderfully refreshing novel (pardon the pun!). It puts a very
accessibly comical, postmodern spin on the antics of common daily living.
And is a very mature approach to the problems that alcoholism can cause,
while still giving the charachter and his journey appeal to all. Whether
they recognise a similarity or familiarity with alcoholics or not. It
is about life. A great lesson can be learned from the recognition that
alcoholics need something to have faith in. I love this book and am looking
forward to the next publication by this author.
Ms. Kirstie Heneghan (Surrey, UK) *****
Down The Hatch!
A friend of mine recommended Spritz to me and I'm glad they did. I never
normally read books by unknown authors but Neil J Hart's Spritz was a
great read. Fast-paced, funny, morose and witty. The story of Bob Flint's
desire to achieve his lifelong dreams and continually drink himself blind
is a tragic comedy that has something for everybody. The book is set around
places we all know and characters we can all identify with. The topsy-turvy,
and occasionally surreal / supernatural, events that occur mix the world
we know with elements of the fantastic. It's essentially a sad tale but
one that holds the promise of hope.
Nick Williams (London) *****
A Tour de Force
of a Novel!
Although Bob Flint is the main focus of this novel, it is all the other
characters and the intertwining of their lives that make this an unmissable
read. Equal parts comedy and heartbreak, Neil J Hart ensures that we can
see a bit of ourselves, or those we know, in his fantastic observations
of people's characteristics and idiosyncricities. This is what allows
the reader to relate to the plights of the cast of Spritz. You just want
to keep reading just to see where it'll all go, and you won't be disappointed!
If you buy one book this year, make it Spritz!
Mr. M. D. Kennedy (Berkshire, England) *****
I loved this book!
I was introduced to Spritz by a friend who for some reason thought I would
take comfort in reading about others' misfortunes! Bob Flint is a sorry
character and at first pretty charmless but as the story unfolds he is
ultimately a romantic hero. Neil J Hart glides effortlessly through the
twists and turns of this hapless chap's life with humour and senstivitity.
There are laugh out loud moments mixed with heartbreak which leaves you
feeling emotionally satisfied. I recommend this book to anyone.
Julia Leggett *****
You can read some Sample
Chapters of Spritz click
here |