Customer Reviews

Paperchase: A Novel

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paperchase is a provocative novel with an interesting premise. It's by far the most absorbing book I've read in a long while. I kept pacing myself trying to make it last but found myself in the "just one more page" syndrome again and again, as I rushed to piece the puzzle together. The characters are multi-dimensional and you quickly get right into their heads, especially the protagonist, Ian Gidman. There were moments of drama, moments of high suspense, tear-jerking moments, moments of tenderness, moments of laughter and, most of all, moments when you thought you'd got it all puzzled out and found that you hadn't, because Graham Hamer's tight control of the various threads leaves the reader guessing through most of the book how and when these diverse worlds will collide. (I admit now that I never did get it all worked out. It really was only the final chapter when everything came together and the unknown became the obvious). The plot was fast-moving, with some clever quips and some excellent social observations... somewhere between the cynical sense of humor and acerbic dry wit of Robert B. Parker and the gloriously in-depth characterizations of James Patterson when he's in top form. Even with a two-week delivery, this book was well worth waiting for.

Incidentally, I read it and felt it was a book for women; my boyfriend read it and said it was a man's book! Work that one out!!

I bought this book with caution because I'd never heard of the author before. I'm glad I did. The narrative is excellent with gentle humour, dark hatred, deep tenderness and mind-boggling greed all combined. Despite it being a tale of oppression against one man, I found myself more inclined to laugh than to cry, and to fall in love instead of into a depression. The author has delivered gripping suspense, deep mystery, and high drama - all in one story. You can't read past the first chapter without getting hooked, and you can't put it down till you get to the last page. What made Paperchase even more entertaining was that it was written like a you would view a film - one scene moving logically into the next. (Maybe Hollywood will get to hear of it - the plot is highly marketable and thoroughly entertaining.)

While some of the characters aren't likable they aren't totally unlikable either (except, maybe, one) and the reader's interest is held with the interactions between them. Some books are filled with action and sudden (sometimes illogical) plot twists, this book is much more subtle and always leaves open many possible plot paths to hold your interest. The various strings only come together right at the end and, unless you buy it, you'll never know. SO BUY IT !

I didn't understand page one - after page two I was hooked! In a subtle interweaving of love, hate, greed and cunning, Paperchase had me guessing from beginning to end. The story builds cleverly but relentlessly from the nitty-gritty of a man's mundane job to a climax of murder, suicide and mayhem. Gripping stuff, and all tinted with a delicate touch of humor.

Graham Hamer has managed to spin a web of intrigue into a tale of ordinary people who are doing nothing more than getting on with their lives - or think they are. He has dealt delicately with their passions and their weaknesses, leaving me feeling that I was well acquainted with the (wholly believable) characters (you'll love Ian and you'll sympathize with his dilemma).

The main events take place on the Isle of Man (a small, independent island situated between, England, Scotland and Ireland) and in Paris (France), both of which I have visited; and descriptions of the settings, though not interfering in any way with the story, left me feeling that I knew these locations even better.

I'm looking forward to his next book.

Who can resist a tale beginning with an invitation from a spectral Mister Death? But don't let that fool you, this story is as down-to-earth as they come, as Graham Hamer captures the suspense and emotions of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. This was a superior story, wonderfully told, with a subtlety that is compelling. It started out well, and finished well (and the middle was pretty good too!). The author's attention to detail creates a believable spirit of time and place that has you believing you're there. The driving plot never misses a beat, and both dialogue and description are clever, true to character, and occasionally quite beautiful. The lean, but concise descriptions lend rich texture and depth to the story, speeding up the pulse beats and adding to the tension, rather than bogging down the plot in unnecessary detail. I'll certainly be waiting for the next book from this superb author.

Our book club reviewed Paperchase this month and it promoted a lively discussion. The story was well-plotted and tight, yet there was time to get to know the characters and their surroundings. None of us were able to foresee the eventual twist to the story and it came as a surprise to us all. We all agreed that it was one of the better books we had reviewed and, if we had any minor misgivings, it was simply that it took a chapter to 'get into the style' (We're all so used to American authors that, when we see English English, it takes a few pages to get used to it). But this certainly didn't detract from our enjoyment of a superb novel. It's well-structured, well-paced and well thought out. I can understand what your other reviewers say about 'feeling' for the protagonist. We were booing the bad guy as well.

I shan't spoil the story by giving any details away, but Paperchase very gently raises some moral issues too. Not that it draws any conclusions or tells the reader what to think, but there are stimulating, thought-provoking questions raised by the actions of some of the characters...

Graham Hamer may lack Tom Clancy's knowledge of US submarines, and he may not know too much about Stephen King's vampires and talking cars, but for a damn good plot he matches them both. His writing is snappy without being stylised and his characters are as real as any created by the best-selling authors. I was disappointed at having to wait a few days for delivery of my copy (presumably it's selling more than anyone predicted!) but it was well worth hanging on. Paperchase deals with a sequence of events that overtake a down-to-earth man when he and his business partner fall out. Though he doesn't know it, his life is about to change beyond imagination. If conflict makes good novels, this book belongs with the greats; and yet Ian Gidman's struggle is 100% plausible and 100% unpredictable. It's difficult to say more without giving away the plot but, believe me, you'll not put it down once you've picked it up.

I found myself like a child at a pantomime, "Behind you. Behind you." Then I was booing every time the bad guy made another move. That's how this book gets you - empathy with the protagonist - revulsion for his antagonist. It's been a long time since I allowed myself to get so wrapped up in a novel (my husband thought I was crazy, then did the same himself two nights later!). The writing is clear and well fashioned, the characters are real (really real), the scenarios are well described, the plot is clever, and, every time I thought I had it worked out, I discovered I was wrong. There's nothing predictable about this book and it kept me hooked to the last chapter. If you're looking for this year's novel, you should give Paperchase a test drive.

What a fantastic book!!. I was actually given this book to read by a very good pal of mine, bearing in mind I haven't found a decent read in the last ten years, I promised to at least start the first page,Well!!,I didn't put it dowm,infact I couldn't!. I have never in my life come across a book so intense. You find yourself chasing the chapters (days)thinking you have figured it all out when all of a sudden you find out you're wrong!. I take my hat off to the author(if i was wearing one)!

Looking forward to the next book Mr Hamer,you obviously have a gift.!

When an English friend recommended that I buy Paperchase, she told me it was by a British author and I was a bit hesitant because I thought the writing style might distract me from the story. But I owe her an apology for jumping to conclusions, and I thank her for pointing me to a great book. I can tell by some of the slang that it wasn't written by an American, but that's fine because it adds interest and fits well with the story which is based mostly in Europe. The plot is tight and well thought out and the characters are very, very believable. In fact I even found myself associating some of the characters in the book with people I know. Like the rest of the reviewers, I've got to admit to being totally unable to work it all out until the final pages. Graham Hamer leads you on a merry dance with lots of different threads that include plenty of clues (if you know where to look) and a few false trails (if you're not careful). Unusually, I skimmed through this book a second time (I don't usually read books twice) because I couldn't believe I'd be so blind to the obvious. I found that all the supporting facts were well mentioned in the text and that 'he who seeks shall find'. Yet, despite its ability to mystify and surprise, Paperchase is essentially a story of human conflict (one man versus his antagonist) and much more. Among the tangled web of intrigue that the author spins so skillfully, it's also a story of love and devotion, of trust and deceit, of greed and cunning. I can recommend Paperchase to anyone who is looking for something more than the usual tired genre plot, and I'm looking forward to this author's next book.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into with a title like 'Paperchase'. As it turned out, the title was very appropriate as I found myself vainly trying to capture the twists and turns of the story. It's one of those books that's easy to drift into, believing yourself to be involved in the storyline. Also, I found the style of writing to be a well-constructed visual style (like watching a film, as one scene moves into the next). What struck me most was the superb characterization. The main character, Ian Gidman, is just an ordinary guy with an ordinary life - that is, until his business partner pulls a fast one on him. Then his life starts an inexorable tumble from bad to very much worse. Eventually the pressure... well, you'd better read it yourself, otherwise I'll spoil your enjoyment. Unquestionably a book to be savoured, despite its unusual title.