Time for Bed [Paperback]

David Baddiel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 1997

Gabriel can't get to sleep. Or anywhere else, either in his Triumph Dolomite or his life. But he's not unduly worried; he's too busy being in love with his happily married brother's wife. He knows this won't achieve happiness and suddenly remembers - his brother's wife has a sister.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Very, very funny, but it also manages to stay on the right side of realistic... I thought the book was terrific. Roddy Doyle A sharp, funny and hugely entertaining insight into the male psyche with the most convincing female orgasm since "When Harry Met Sally" Helen Fielding One of the best things I have ever read about the nature of mad, obsessive love... funny, sad and horribly, painfully true. Tony Parsons Inventive and hilarious... a wonderful comedy shadowed and complicated by tenderness. SUNDAY TIMES --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Baddiel co-created three of the most popular comedy programmes in BBC TV history and his stand-up comedy act is always a sell-out nationwide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Warner; New Edition edition (October 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751519782
• ISBN-13: 978-0751519785
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,464,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes he's tried Kalms!, July 3, 2000

By 

Steve Maggs - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time for Bed Hb (Hardcover)

This book marks the debut for a man better known in England for stand up comedy than literature, but whilst I rarely stopped laughing this is also a fantastic story.

The central character has a big problem with sleep, he can't get any! That he is also madly in love with his brothers wife, has a mentally deteriorating flat mate and a hate/hate relationship with his father is just half the brilliance of this storming book. The problems and excellent comic scenarios just keep flowing as you're drawn further into the eccentric and sordid world and mind of the sleepless hero. The characterisation is just superb and there are enough twists to make you think in between the laughing. One thing that I've never experienced in another book is the amazing empathy I felt for this guy who seems to have lived alongside me for most of my life, if not then this is the most accurate portrayal of the male mind this side of Nick Hornby (possibly even better).

All in all this is a laugh out loud funny book that also made me look deeply at myself (whilst still laughing), and with the story lines that eminate from within almost made me cry too. To top it off a genuinely satisfying ending that couldn't have been written better.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time for Bed, August 18, 2000

By 

Robert Weiss (Düsseldorf Deutschland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time for Bed Hb (Hardcover)

This book is one of the most entertaining ones I have ever red. I forced myself to stop reading it toward the end, so it wouldn't be over too fast.

Not only is the eccentric, outrages, insane behavior of the protagonist (an unemployed insomniac, in love with his brother's wife) tremendously funny, it also tells the truth about many issues the sensitive, out-of-the-ordinary individual of our times has to cope with. Though he is essentially obnoxious, rude and careless, one from the beginning sides with this young man. His apparently negative qualities are what keep him from spreading a pessimistic, resignative tone, however discouraged he seems at times. He knows to see the irony and, hence, the comedy of even the most desperate situation - a lesson we all should learn.

As absurd his surroundings and demenour may be, the book depicts a more accurate image of life than many others - for life is in itself nothing if not absurd.

5.0 out of 5 stars Most impressed, January 25, 2001

By 

Tiffany (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time for Bed Hb (Hardcover)

For want of a good book, I had not read for a while, when a friend found this for me it was the end of early nights! I wish I too was an insomniac, therefore giving me more waking hours to read this book. It reminded me of "he died with a felafel in his hand". Probably the dry sense of humour. With or without sleep deprivation issues, I thouroughly recommend!