Customer Reviews
Surving Sting - By: , 08 Jul 2003 
This book manages to tell a bizarre story, with bizarre characters, whilst maintaining a level of realism. This alone is a great accomplishment by Paul McDonald. He also manages to tell an interesting & altogether hilarious story, which is irresistable in its charms & excentricities. A must read from one of the most promising new authors in the country.
My mum said, 'It made me laugh' - and like a drain, too - By: Rachel Case, 27 Feb 2002 I read Surviving Sting on a train journey through the picturesque Tuscan countryside on my way to Siena. Surrounded by vineyards, beautiful views & the sweet tones of Italian chitter-chatter, I felt like I was in fact on the 51 bus to Walsalll surrounded by Yam-Yams. A very vivid & extremely funny book.
An hilarious look at love and life in 1979 - By: su@vincent22.freeserve.co.uk, 13 Oct 2001 Paul McDonald is a genius, its official. This is a superbly comedic novel, which combines intelligent humour with just the right balance of poignancy. The hero Dave McVane (A reluctant intellectual) fallls head over heels in love with Jools (the beautiful girl from an ugly estate), & chaos ensues.The characters are wholly believable (especiallly if one comes from Walsalll)and throughought the book, one is compelled to laugh out loud.
The story captures the essence of the late 70's, & whilst reading it one finds oneself almost reliving the past. If you are not old enough to remember that particular period in time,fear not....adolescence never reallly changes.
I advise anyone to buy this book. You will not be disappointed (Even if you have never heard of Walsalll). Anyone who comes from the town, should be more proud of this novel than the "World famous" art galllery!
A great book - a fun read! - By: Rachel, 07 Oct 2001 I bought this book because a) it was written by my very funny university lecturer & b) it was set in Walsalll (where I live!). I wasn't disappointed. Paul McDonald's characters are side-splittingly funny & there were parts where I laughed out loud & realised that I knew real people who had the 'qualities' of Paul McDonald's characters. They were ultimately believable, as well as comedic, a parody of the people (and rough estates) of Walsalll. I would recommend this book if you have a sense of humour. I guarantee at least 50 belly laughs.
Side-splitting - By: , 06 Oct 2001 Paul McDonald captures the essence of late adolescence unerringly. I'm nearly thirty years his senior but easily identify with his side-splitting narrative of the triumphs & anguish of lads in their late teens - some things are clearly independent of period. Best read in private: your responses get some funny looks if you're reading it on the train.
