Review: One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite - Tom Clempson

Jack Samsonite's fool-proof plan for being amazing at everything (including getting a life, getting into film school, and getting into a girl's knickers)

1. Film a mind blowing, awesome so bad it's good short film about zombies superheroes three idiot friends, which must also include great depth and meaning me kissing a girl on the mouth.

2. Write the world's best university application ever! Write quite a good university application. Just write an application that doesn't make me seem like a nob.

3. Don't get expelled trying to complete 1 & 2.

It can't possibly fail . . . right?

Jack Samsonite Series:
One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite
One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite

Visit Tom Clempson's website for more information

Review:
Two years on from the ending of One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite (OSMUW for short) and our hero Jack is just trying to get through his last year of college, finish his short film for his final project, decide on a university course, oh, and find a girl to kiss! You might not think that sounds too difficult but if you read the first book then I'm sure you'll have some idea just how wrong you'd be. Jack has a unique ability to get himself in trouble, no matter how innocent his intentions are in any situation things always seem to end up getting turned around so that it looks like he's up to no good. And so help him on the occasions when he really is up to no good because he is just bound to get caught!

If you enjoyed OSMUW then you're going to love One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite (OSMUW2 for short) just as much. Tom Clempson has infused this story with the same brand of humour and crazy antics as the first book and it is guaranteed to have you snorting with laughter (I have been known to embarrass myself in public while reading these books). This series definitely has a modern Adrian Mole feel to it and is just so much fun to read that you don't want the books to end. I think one of the things that made me laugh the most was the tribe of pygmy warriors - otherwise known as the tiny year seven students who were evil little monsters.

I don't want to say much more about the story, not because I don't have anything to say but because I don't want to spoil anyone's fun before they get to read it for themselves. What I will say is that I think everyone should give this series a try. If you ever wanted to know what goes on in a teenage boy's head then OSMUW2 will give you a pretty good idea. These books will appeal to both teens and adults - as long as you have a sense of humour and don't mind a hero who swears like a trooper you're going to love Jack Samsonite. I don't know if Tom Clempson has more books planned for this series but if he does they'll be jumping straight to the top of my wish list!

Source: Received from Atom in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite - Tom Clempson

Our Hero?
Sam Taylor

Jack Samsonite

His Mission?

1. Pass his GCSEs
2. Get the girl (to notice he exists)
3. Survive the week without a serious face punching

Good thing he's got a plan.
Well, half a plan . . .

Jack Samsonite Series:
One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane & Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite
One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite

Visit Tom Clempson's website for more information

Review:
Our hero Sam (or Jack as he has decided to call himself) is writing a diary for a week as a school project. His goals for the week are to study for his exams, get the girl and to avoid being beaten up but that's going to be a lot more complicated than it sounds.

I don't even know where to start with this review - sometimes you come across a book that is just so much fun to read that you don't want it to end and One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite (hereafter referred to as OSMUW) is one of those books. I can't tell you how excited I am that there is going to be a sequel (although I believe we'll have to wait until 2013 to read it unfortunately). I have to mention that title - it has to be the longest book title I've ever come across but it suits the story perfectly and I love it.

Jack is a fairly typical 15 year old boy, he isn't one of the popular crowd but he isn't one of the geeks either and he flits between several different school cliques. I'm not going to tell you what he gets up to in his week - you're going to have to read the book for yourself if you want to find out. What I will tell you is that Jack reminded me of a less geeky Adrian Mole and I've not read a book that made me laugh as much as this one in a long time. In fact I completely embarrassed myself by snorting with laughter when I was reading OSMUW on a train. I just couldn't stop myself - I mean who knew choosing which urinal to use was such an exact science!

I have quite obviously never been a teenage boy but it was easy to relate to Jack, he faced a lot of the same kind of problems at school as I did and his character is very realistic. If you have ever wanted to know what goes on in a teenage boy's head then you need to read this book - it explains a lot! I don't think a page goes by that won't have you laughing but the story deals with some serious issues along with the humour. The twist at the end completely shocked me and as soon as I finished reading I had to go back and read the beginning again because it was so cleverly written.

I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone, if you have ever been a teenager you will be able to identify with Jack. I'm sure teenage boys will love the story but it will definitely appeal to girls too. My only warning would be that if you don't like crude humour and are easily offended by swearing then this might not be for you but as long as you don't take it too seriously I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. OSMUW is a fantastic debut and I can't wait to see what Tom Clempson comes up with next!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.