The Lie by CL Taylor

The Truth is that this is a very ugly book

Humble apologies to anyone who joined in with our latest read – The Lie  by CL Taylor.  It has to be our worst book yet.  Possibly one of the ugliest reads  around.  Ugly characters, ugly writing, ugly plotting. 

CL Taylor clearly hasn’t read any of the creative writing  recommendations which emphasise “show, don’t tell”.  This was tell, tell tell, supported by redundant dialogue and clichéd clichés  e.g.

 “I could sense his anger bubbling inside him like lava” 

The story moves between the present day and the past.  The present day tale is set around an animal refuge,  the past in a commune in Nepal.   Both stories involve ugly people doing ugly things which involve a lot of “puking”, “fucking”, “yanking down knickers” and “shit”.     At the refuge there’s abuse, “doggy diarrhoea”, puppies "caked in crap” and Freddy the parrot even squawks “Fucking Bastard”.  At the commune, there’s abuse,  “urine, vomit and faeces swirl around” and characters relentlessly fucking and saying “shit”, “twat” or  “fuck.”

To précis this non-shakespearian offering: 

We need a holiday. “But I am sick and tired I am of everything.”
We go to a commune, characterised by “Hunt the Cunt”  and “excellent little fuck pads”
 We don’t get on, “She flicks me the Vs. “
Disastrous things happen,  “puking in the toilets”,  “the stench of faeces and urine hits me”,
 “I’m not staying here you twat.”
Disaster turns to disaster.   
“Fuck”.  “Yeah”

The alarming thing about this book is that it has done so well.  It has numerous reviews on Amazon, most singing its praises.   

Is this what popular storytelling has become? 

  “FUCK”!

The venue for our discussion this month was The Duck House in Corbridge  which is rated well on trip advisor.  A restaurant upstairs, we visited the coffee shop downstairs. 

This photo - downloaded from trip advisor - isn't  representative of our visit.  Sadly, bad weather  combined with what sounded like major refurbishments upstairs made for a stark, drafty, noisy  ambience compounded by some intrusive piped pop music and a lack of basic condiments. 

The friendly owner was quick to apologise for this unusual state and warmed us up with complimentary hot drinks.  The hot chocolate was impressive as was the food which stood out amidst the chaos.  

The Duck House continues to develop and promises a successful revisit. 

Our next read might be ugly :

 But surely this will be a good read given Archer's masterful storytelling?  We will let you know!