This has certainly make me want to read the book. What happened to the girl - where did she go and why did she leave her copy of the book behind?

I need the full book now! The 2 chapter extract has left me wanting more. This is a book that's been on my radar since finding out about it.

The Satsuma Complex - Bob Mortimer

Oh I’m intrigued by this one, reading the first couple of chapters, I’ve already been reeled in by Gary.

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.

‘I did make a good connection with a girl this past week or so, but earlier today that blew up in my face and smacked my arse with a fish slice.’

I could hear Bob Mortimer’s voice as I read so clearly in my head. It is totally him, it’s kooky, funny, dry and very charming!
Questions I have so far are: What is The Satsuma Complex? Does he have a favourite pie? Does Gary meet this girl again? All of which I intend to answer by getting a copy to read in full very soon!

This is the story of mild, unassuming Gary, who we can safely assume is largely based on Mortimer himself who used to be a lawyer. This has all the hallmarks you'd expect from Bob, silly names for animals, talking squirrels and other absurdities that you can't help smiling at. This is shaping up to be a great read, and likely a great Christmas present for any fan of his humour.

It's difficult to write a review of a book after only reading the sample first two chapters. However I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the book. I'm a fan of Bob Mortimer and his autobiography was an excellent read.

Hard to give feedback on just two chapters, it seemed quite bonkers! But I really like Bob Mortimer and so would be interested to read the rest of the book!
Can’t possibly give more than two stars for a fraction of a book.
Thanks, as always, to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for a little peak into this book.

The satsuma complex by Bob Mortimer
(First two chapters)
Release date 27th October
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can never give five stars when I have read only the first few sampler chapters of a book but I can see that this definitely has potential!

If you have read Bob Mortimer’s autobiography (which I highly highly recommend, make sure to check out my review) then some of this book may seem familiar but as they always say write about what you know!
Bob Mortimer just like our hero of the story was a legal assistant and lived in Peckham and just like Gary has a fantastic imagination! I’m already in love with his squirrel pal.

I honestly have no idea where this story is going but I have to find out !!

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

I really enjoyed these two chapters. I liked the writing style and it’s got me curious as to what is going to happen next. The main character is a likeable soul and I hope things work out for him. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Bob Mortimer, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you #netgalley

My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and schuster for access to the first couple of chapters of “ The Satsuma Complex”
I find Bob Mortimer to be really likeable and funny, but I was unsure how his humour would play out in his fiction writing..It turns out he seems to have made a success out of this too.
I was glad I got chance to read the first part of his book and I was hooked and I’ll definitely be reading the rest as soon as possible.

A really, really quick and funny read Bob Mortimer at his best.. Clever and funny man... A very different outlook on life...Read it!

Certainly an enjoyable two chapters, and has got me wanting to read the rest of the book. So far Mortimer’s humour comes through well and the premise is good but the characters are a bit sad lad and dream girl - will have to see how it all unfolds when it is released!

Chapter sampler - Ch 1&2
🗂 Adult Fiction
👉 I enjoy Bob Mortimer’s comedy so I’m intrigued by his first novel!
📍 🇬🇧
📖 Gary is at the pub with his acquaintance Brendan. When Brendan needs to leave early, Gary meets a girl and gets chatting. When he goes to buy her a drink, she bails on him but leaves behind the book she was reading, ‘The Satsuma Complex’. To be continued…
✅ It was as random as Bob Mortimer seems to be!
🧑‍💼 I couldn’t stop reading it with his voice in my head!
📆 17th October 2022
*Publication date - 27th October 2022

This is certainly a good start leaving the reader wanting more. Gary is a delightfully drawn character who makes you sorry for his loneliness. The meeting with a girl in a pub who leaves him with her book must surely mean there are interesting pages to come. Surely she will arrange to get her book back? This is a tantalising beginning and I would like more!

You can’t say much after two chapters but it is very Bob Mortimer with throwaway lines which might be kind of funny as part of a once only monologue but are pretty uneven in a novel. However, it did make me want to read on and I was curious about the girl in the pub and why she left so that’s worth three stars. Would I buy it for someone for Christmas? I think if they were a big fan of Reeves and M they might be disappointed and, there again, they might think that I thought they were a loser and was hinting they should do something about it so they’d be unhappy about that as well. Satsumas are interesting because until you peel them you don’t know if they are sweet and juicy or dry, fibrous and a waste of your time to chew and maybe that is the extended metaphor of the novel or maybe Bob was going to call the novel, Tangerine Dream and was told he couldn’t. Who knows?

Like hearing a story directly from Mr Mortimer. The pacing, the flights of fancy, the conversations with a squirrel, it’s all pure Bob. I have absolutely no idea where this story will progress from those opening chapters, but my copy is on pre-order and I look forward to finding out.

Review based on the first two chapters only.

Would I read on - yes.

The writing is sharp and observational.
Based on the aspects of life many of us are too busy to notice.
Gary our narrator and gateway to this wonderful world he inhabits is unconventional, imaginative and quite worldly wise. His honesty and self-awareness means that we can feel safe in his world. He is a precious individual, guide and entertainer. I loved his outlook, understanding and vocabulary. It makes for a journey of fun, an adventure filled with insight, comic reasoning and zany encounters.

The writing is an extension of Bob Mortimer the comic performer. Nothing is laboured, the writing just flows and fills you with delight. Reaching your mind, spirit and very essence. Such humour isn’t everyone’s bag but I think there is enough promise in these first couple of chapters to bring enjoyment to all readers that pick up this original book.

I read this introduction to the novel in one sitting and despite there only being two chapters I laughed out loud a lot.
Narrated in the first person from the perspective of Gary, we meet his questionable friend Brendan, a quirky and mysterious eBay seller and reader if The Satsuma Complex and a squirrel.
Gary’s imagination, visual descriptions of people’s looks and attire and self depreciation are endearing from the start. Never have I read such hilarious commentary about prosaic day to day concerns including ‘my favourite urinal’ and imagining a dog called Lengthy Parsnips. There was a near miss of tea spitting following a guffaw regarding Gary’s blunt thoughts regarding the cover illustration of The Satsuma Project. Not an opinion I share!

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this book as it’s a five star from what I have read so far.

Repeat after me: Always be poised when reading a “celebrity” book that it might be rubbish - here’s looking at you, Richard Osman.
With Bob Mortimer, I’d hoped for a better outcome.
A saddo bloke in a saddo job with no social life, occasionally talking to a squirrel, meeting up with a work acquaintance for a boring conversation in a pub, then trying to chat up a girl in his saddo way…
Probably a book for a blokey-bloke convincing himself that he is less of a saddo than the protagonist - but not for me.