Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - A Spot of Bother

A Spot of Bother
A Spot of Bother
Author: Mark Haddon
Recent retiree George Hall, convinced that his eczema is cancer, goes into a tailspin in Haddon's (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) laugh-out-loud slice of British domestic life. George, 61, is clearly channeling a host of other worries into the discoloration on his hip (the "spot of bother"): daughter Katie, who has a toddler, Jac...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780099506928
ISBN-10: 0099506920
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 15

3.8 stars, based on 15 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

haddad avatar reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Since I loved Haddon's earlier book (Curious Incident . . . ), I was initially very eager to read this one. But, when I read the discription, I lost interest--it sounds depressing and sort of boring. Well, I was wrong. After this book languished on my TBR pile for some time, I finally picked it up and was very pleasantly surprised. This book is funny and enjoyable. I really recommend it.
reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 81 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This author has a terrific sense of humor. Written from the perspective of each character, I cared about all the characters. I was hesitant about reading this because I liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time so much and didn't think a second book could live up to that one. This one did. I enjoyed it immensely and parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny.
candieb avatar reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 239 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book started out so funny. Poor George, but ya know, I think almost anyone can identify with him. "Hey, there's a spot. What if it's poison ivy?" or "Hey, that mole looks a little weird. What if it's cancerous?". Oh, you know you do it too. We all do. We are all crazy, deep down inside.

Having said that, George and Ray are the only characters in this book I really liked. Jamie was okay, but the rest were utterly self-centered or unlikeable.

BUT. The story is funny. The ending is "meh" at best, but getting there is a great ride. It's definitely worth a read, but don't go in thinking it's going to be as deep or wonderful as A Curious Dog in the Nite Time. It's not. It doesn't suck, it's no... err... dog.
reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a book revolving around two very serious mental illnesses--anxiety and depression so you'd expect it to be well depressing. Instead, I found myself laughing out loud. Haddon draws his characters very sensitively.
reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
HILARIOUS!!! I was so sorry when it ended. If you love British humor, this is your cup of tea.
Read All 23 Book Reviews of "A Spot of Bother"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

DebB avatar reviewed A Spot of Bother on
Fun read! Whimsical and serious all at the same time. My husband and I took turns reading this to each other and couldn't predict or wait until we found out what happened next. You could imagine hearing this story from a friend.
reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 4 more book reviews
I did not expect to like this book but I did. The writer captures middle age angst and the inner workings of a insane mind perfectly. The humor is subtle English humor. The characters fill out well.
reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 12 more book reviews
This is another winner from Mark Haddon. I love his plot lines and characterizations. I will read anything he writes!
MKSbooklady avatar reviewed A Spot of Bother on + 944 more book reviews
One reviewer called this book 'painful and funny'. Probably the best description I could give it without a lot of adjectives that make no sense. Everyone in this family has issues-mental health, breaking up with a boyfriend, not sure if you love the person you're marrying, and just to round it off, Mom is having a raging affair with one of dad's old co-workers. There are some truly funny moments, and it makes you realize that your family is not nearly as crazy (I hope).

Book Wiki

Common Title