Wake Up Happy Every Day by Stephen May
Nicky has always known Russell was rich, but he has no idea how astronomically rich Russell is until his friend drops dead, on his 50th birthday, in his San Francisco mansion, with Nicky as the only witness. For forty years the two men have kept up their friendship, with Russell’s birthday offering him an annual opportunity to remind Nicky of how much more successful Russell is, and how much further he has come since their English suburban childhood. And now Nicky has come up with an uncharacteristically daring plan. If Nicky were to become Russell and leave his old life lying dead on the bathroom floor, then he, his wife Sarah and their daughter Scarlett could start again. Only with better clothes, better hair, better stuff and a better future: everything that money can buy. Especially happiness. But when the foundations of their glittering new existence start to crack, the impact of Nicky’s hasty decision begins to be felt by all those around him: by his daughter; by his own distant, confused father; by a young English woman who has come to America in search of her father, and by the mysterious Catherine, an ex-soldier who seems to take an unhealthy interest in Nicky’s movements... Sharp, funny, warm and acutely observed, Wake Up Happy Every Day is a novel about dreams and delusions, family and friendship, and what happens if you do actually find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
The sense of jeopardy leaps from the page, and so does the writingHooked * Elle Magazine *
He riffs entertainingly on failure … Talk of misspent youth, assassins and obstreperous protagonists belies the emotional core which makes May’s books moving * Independent on Sunday *
Expect pithy observations on everything from “endearment inflation” to the three most important words in any long-term relationship: “It doesn’t matter” * Daily Mail *
A morality tale that explores the difference between material and real happiness ... There are some great comic set pieces and fine writing from May, whose quips demonstrate a knack for the ridiculous * Guardian *
May delivers more of his signature modern-day morality with his hilarious third novel ... A charmingly ill-fated adventure ... with wit and sharp observation, May keeps the novel entertaining throughout. A compelling holiday read for anyone who has ever believed that the grass might actually be greener * Western Mail *
Sharp and funny * Bookseller *
Hilarious ... May writes so wittily, so charmingly, that his characters and twists feel irresistible, shiny and new * Good Housekeeping (USA) *
Acerbic and funny * New York Times *
May’s comic touch drives the book … Charming, jaunty, and very British … [A] smart and snappy satire -- Stephen May * New York Times Book Review *
Wake Up Happy Everyday delivers plenty of clever surprises … May’s witty voice and wry commentary keep the reader turning pages -- Stephen May * New York Times Book Review *
He riffs entertainingly on failure … Talk of misspent youth, assassins and obstreperous protagonists belies the emotional core which makes May’s books moving * Independent on Sunday *
Expect pithy observations on everything from “endearment inflation” to the three most important words in any long-term relationship: “It doesn’t matter” * Daily Mail *
A morality tale that explores the difference between material and real happiness ... There are some great comic set pieces and fine writing from May, whose quips demonstrate a knack for the ridiculous * Guardian *
May delivers more of his signature modern-day morality with his hilarious third novel ... A charmingly ill-fated adventure ... with wit and sharp observation, May keeps the novel entertaining throughout. A compelling holiday read for anyone who has ever believed that the grass might actually be greener * Western Mail *
Sharp and funny * Bookseller *
Hilarious ... May writes so wittily, so charmingly, that his characters and twists feel irresistible, shiny and new * Good Housekeeping (USA) *
Acerbic and funny * New York Times *
May’s comic touch drives the book … Charming, jaunty, and very British … [A] smart and snappy satire -- Stephen May * New York Times Book Review *
Wake Up Happy Everyday delivers plenty of clever surprises … May’s witty voice and wry commentary keep the reader turning pages -- Stephen May * New York Times Book Review *
Stephen May's first novel Tag was published by a small Welsh press and won the Reader's Choice Award at the 2009 Welsh Book of the Year. His second, Life! Death! Prizes!, was published by Bloomsbury in 2012 and was shortlisted for the 2012 Costa Novel Award and the Guardian’s ‘Not the Booker Prize’. Originally from Bedford, he now lives and works in west Yorkshire. www.sdmay.com @RealStephenMay
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781408840740 |
| ISBN 10 | 140884074X |
| Title | Wake Up Happy Every Day |
| Author | Stephen May |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Year published | 2014-03-13 |
| Number of pages | 368 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |