satsuma complex - sweet or sour?

Bob Mortimer is certainly a storyteller, but has he also become an accomplished novelist?

Bob Mortimer may now have published his third novel, but the Tyneside Book Club went back to his debut for its October meeting.

The Satsuma Complex certainly proved a hit for much of the group, and for some it was a welcome return to a book they had already enjoyed.

For its supporters, it delivered humour and warmth with characters that the reader cared about, and a narrative that kept you engaged in the outcome.

Most members enjoyed the surreal elements, and the unique Bob Mortimer flavour to the dialogue and plot. There was some division though. While most members enjoyed the regular conversations between the main character Gary and squirrels, there were some who found them an unwelcome distraction.

For some members, the thriller plot proved to be the weakest element of The Satsuma Complex and their interest in the outcome declined as the police corruption plot unravelled. 

Those members also felt some frustration that Mortimer did not have the confidence to write a humorous and surreal novel without the skeleton of a crime mystery, even if that would have harmed its commercial prospects.

For some members though, it was the plotting that provided the interest, and they did not feel the humour worked as well. There were some though who just found the whole book left them cold, and it was agreed it would not work so well if you didn't already enjoy Bob Mortimer's brand of comedy.

But for a majority the combination offered a welcome synthesis of styles. Some had already read and enjoyed the sequels and felt they were an advance on this debut.