Our Doris by Charles Heathcote
Reviewed by Robyn
5 STARS!
The Book Doris Copeland is a stalwart of the Partridge Mews community. Determined, driven and with a particular dislike for slugs she has her sights set on being allocated fifth house in the Garden Safari, because why should the likes of Janice Dooley of Little Street or Violet Grey get the last word in by making her first house either way? Harold and his monologues share with the reader what life with a wife who has been compared to Hitler is like, all the while having to contend with The Look, which after 54 years of marriage still sends his blood running cold, and a desperate focus on not sending his own blood pressure to boiling point as he tries to help his wife obtain the highly sought after house placement. Rock n Roll, sausages, slugs, community events and gossip abound in this brilliantly witty and captivating book.
What I Liked 1. Harold. Honest to god, Doris was my favourite, and then he just had to go be all loving and patient and husbandy… don’t tell her I changed my mind. 2. Britishness. I read this book and was reminded of some of the bizarre stories my late granny shared with us. The Brit humour, dry as a cracker-bread and totally side-splitting is strong in this book. 3. Doris. She’s a bloody machine she is, but she’s so damned bizarre at the same time.
What I didn’t Like Nothing. Seriously. It’s on point in every way.
If you’re a fan of British comedy and humour, you’ll love this book. You may battle to follow some of the dialogue and references, but I guess Google can help out there. If you know of and enjoyed the characters Hyacinth and Richard Bucket – this is the book for you.
