Paul Ewen

Deliciously silly. Francis Plug is an author. Or he’s trying to be one. Or at least he’d like to be one. And quite apart from the solitary rigours of writing, which typically leads to drink, Francis has concerns about the post-publication prospects of public performance. Which typically leads to drink. Francis’ concern is such that he’s decided to contribute to the alleviation of the public author plight by tracking down Booker Prize winners and tapping them for advice that he can show more pass along. But the only way he can get close to these authors is if he brings along a copy of their prize-winning novel and joins the queue for an autograph. It’s a nerve-racking quest, which typically leads to drink. And before he gets down to it, he’ll just have a wee drink or five to steady his nerves.

Paul Ewen’s creation, Francis Plug, is an everyman, if every man were a wannabe writer. He is a man of the earth — or at least he’s covered in earth due to his desultory employment as a gardener and infrequent change of clothes. Ewen imbues Plug with remarkable resilience and a disconcertingly surreal imagination. And he balances these two on the tip of a bottle of sauvignon blanc. You can’t help but love Francis and in the end feel that there, but the grace of whomever and a few litres of spirits, goes yourself.

Lots to like here and more to enjoy. Easy to recommend to friends. show less

Francis Plug is back. He is now a published author of a novel that has been characterized as “silly”. But it’s enough to get him a one-year post as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Greenwich. He just lacks the ability to teach creative writing students and, strangely, also the ability to write. However, he does know what he would like to write — a campus novel! And, fortunately, since he has taken the “residence” portion of his new position literally, he should be able to show more get down to work very soon. All he will need is a pint or two or perhaps a wee dram of Cutty Sark Whisky. Or some wine. Now where was he, what was he meant to be doing?

Paul Ewen has once again brought Francis Plug joyfully to life. And despite Francis’ taste for the drink, he manages the research portion of writing his new novel with aplomb. Chapter by chapter Francis canvases a vast array of campus novels for inspiration and insight — all duly signed, with best wishes, by their authors. It’s a whirlwind tour of literary events and campus novel plot points. And if it doesn’t all turn out the way Francis hopes, he can hardly be held accountable.

As delightful as its predecessor, and just as fabulously silly. Recommended for friends. show less

Not what you think.

This isn't a serious collection of reviews (although each one does list the address and nearest tube station) - but then, that's pretty clear from lines like:

"Jerk Chicken was advertised as a Special on a blackboard alongside this, reminding me of the many names I had been called in my formative years, including 'JERK', 'CHICKEN', and 'SPECIAL'."

and

"I climbed for some distance, reminded of the boarded off escalators in the London Underground where the only thing UNDER show more CONSTRUCTION is lies."

Instead, this is an assemblage of truly odd short stories, each one taking place in a real London pub, and each one ending - in the words of the author - "in disaster." Usually in hilariously outlandish ways.

Sample chapters can be read at the official website. I highly recommend you do so. show less

Appropriately enough got given this at the Galley Beggar Booker Prize night party. It's a madcap caper of Francis Plug trying to meet Booker Prize winning authors to get his book signed and glean advice for how to be a public author. It has some very funny moments, the surreal conversations between Francis and the authors, but as it goes on Francis become increasingly unhinged and/or drunk so it gets stressful rather than amusing!