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The Full Ridiculous: A Novel Kindle Edition

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

Michaelo O’Dell is hit by a car, and when he doesn’t die, he is surprised and pleased. But he can’t seem to move, frozen in the crash position. He can’t concentrate, or control his anger and grief, or work out what to do about much of anything. His professional life begins to crumble, and although his wife Wendy is heroically supportive, his teenage children only exacerbate his post-accident angst. His daughter Rosie punches out a vindictive schoolmate, plunging the family into a special parent-teacher hell. Meanwhile, his son Declan is found with a stash of illicit drugs, and a strange policeman starts harassing the family, causing ordinary mishaps to take on a sinister desperation.

Equal parts hilarious and painful, this compelling novel delves into the difficulties of family, love, and the precarious business of being a man. Mark Lamprell’s extraordinary debut examines the terrible truth: sometimes you can’t pull yourself together until you’ve completely fallen apart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lamprell takes us through this period of growth and tumult in Michael O'Dell's life in a way that feels authentic and real, the worst moments are also some of the most humorous and touching . . . Readers who enjoy work written in the tone of life, and narratives that celebrate the minor (in the grand scheme of things) wins and losses that make up life will find The Full Ridiculous an enjoyable read that finds both levity and gravity in those little moments." —Examiner

"The writing is clean and hilarious, and the second-person narration feels intimate . . . A hilarious, high-speed summer read." —Shelf Awareness

"
The Full Ridiculous will appeal to readers of quirky, contemporary fiction such as The Rosie Project or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. It reminds us that sometimes, to really appreciate the beautiful highs of life, you need to hit rock bottom first." —Bookseller and Publisher

"A lovely coming-of-age story about a middle-aged man who hurts, despairs, heals and comes to understanding. A very funny and truthful novel." –
Kirkus Reviews

"Lamprell debuts with a first-rate novel [and] manages to temper sentimentalism with a tonic wryness." —
Publisher's Weekly

About the Author

Mark Lamprell has worked in film and television for many years. He co-wrote the film Babe: Pig in the City and wrote and directed the award-winning feature My Mother Frank. His most recent project is the movie musical Goddess, which he co-wrote and directed. The Full Ridiculous is his first novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GL9T2VC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Soft Skull (April 21, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 21, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1285 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

About the author

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Mark Lamprell
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Mark Lamprell is an acclaimed novelist, screenwriter and film director. His novels and children's books are published in sixteen countries twelve languages. They include the novels, Things I Need You To Know, The Secret Wife, The Lovers Guide to Rome, and The Full Ridiculous. He co-wrote Babe: Pig in the City, and directed the award-winning movies My Mother Frank, Goddess, A Few Less Men and Never Too Late. Mark divides his time between Sydney, Australia and Valencia, Spain.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
61 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and witty. They describe it as an easy read that is relatable. The pacing is described as unique and enjoyable.

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10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it entertaining and witty.

"...Very humourous in places, this was a fun read...." Read more

"It's funny. It's touching. And it is so relatable for anyone who may ever have had even the inkling of a mid-life crisis...." Read more

"...Quite humorous. Very realistic. I recommend this book to anyone after an entertaining read." Read more

"I enjoyed this story, very witty. Would make a great screenplay and movie woth the vivid characters, lives spiralling out of control" Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an easy and enjoyable read with vivid characters that are relatable. The novel is described as unique and well-crafted, making it a great screenplay or movie idea. Readers appreciate the author's honesty and poignancy.

"...And, did I mention it's funny? Plus I'll take bets it will make a great movie in the not too distant future with either George Clooney or Matt Damon..." Read more

"The full ridiculous is an easy read, but one i thoroughly enjoyed. i was worried the narrative would district from the story but it complimented it...." Read more

"Great book , easy to read . Narrator talking in the third person was a little distracting , but overall I enjoyed it" Read more

"...Nearly everything was easy to relateto." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it relatable and well-crafted, with humor and honesty. The story is described as realistic and enjoyable. It's an excellent debut novel from an Aussie writer.

"...An excellent debut novel from an Aussie writer." Read more

"It's funny. It's touching. And it is so relatable for anyone who may ever have had even the inkling of a mid-life crisis...." Read more

"This is the story of life. Guaranteed ups and very low downs...." Read more

"...Quite humorous. Very realistic. I recommend this book to anyone after an entertaining read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2014
    The Full ridiculous describes a year in the life of Michael O'Dell. The year starts badly when he is hit by a car while out jogging and lands up in hospital and from there it's all down hill. He has given up his job as a movie reviewer for a major paper to write a book on Australian cinema but after his accident develops PTSD and depression and finds he can't write. His normally well behaved teenage daughter has inexplicably attacked another girl at school and faces expulsion and he finds a bag full of drugs in his son's bedroom. Add in Michael's attempts to help his son make a film and an over-zealous policeman and Michael's life starts to spiral out of control.

    Very humourous in places, this was a fun read. Michael is so hapless and his wife so incredibly patient and forgiving (but has his measure, no doubt about that). The style of the writing may bother some people as it is written in the second person as if the author is directing an actor. I think it was a technique used to put the reader in the situations that Michael faced and for me that worked well but I suspect some readers might not be so comfortable with it. An excellent debut novel from an Aussie writer.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2014
    It's funny. It's touching. And it is so relatable for anyone who may ever have had even the inkling of a mid-life crisis. The Full Ridiculous is heart-felt and heart-wrenching calamity that begins with our hero foolishly going for an early morning jog only to be skittled by a car. Will our hero's life continue to spiral out of control? Will his family continue to fall apart? Will his wife stick by him? Will you continue turning the pages to find out? Yes you will. And, did I mention it's funny? Plus I'll take bets it will make a great movie in the not too distant future with either George Clooney or Matt Damon as the star.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025
    This is the story of life. Guaranteed ups and very low downs. I felt sorry for the main character but loved that his wife didn’t give up on him but stayed and loved him. :) love is the best
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2014
    The full ridiculous is an easy read, but one i thoroughly enjoyed. i was worried the narrative would district from the story but it complimented it. The central family are flawed and a bit lost and you can't help but root for them. Quite humorous. Very realistic. I recommend this book to anyone after an entertaining read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2013
    I enjoyed this story, very witty. Would make a great screenplay and movie woth the vivid characters, lives spiralling out of control
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2014
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it is an easy and entertaining read with very real, likable characters and their very human problems. Very funny and also very moving at times.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2014
    Great fun and so reflects life!
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2016
    A thoroughly engrossing and uniquely crafted novel, replete with delicious self-deprecating humour, honesty and poignancy. An extraordinary tale about ordinary life.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Lamppu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't stop chuckling
    Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2014
    This book is a riveting riot from start to finish. The bureaucracy, the political correctness rant is all spot on. Everyone simply MUST read this. Now.
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars I bought this book by accident!
    Reviewed in Australia on March 23, 2014
    I clicked Buy Now instead of Close, but I read it and loved it. Funny and refreshing and I found I could relate to so much of it. Being written in the 2nd person made it more interesting. It reminds me of the Benny Hill theme song in Novel Form, without the girls in lingerie, just a poor guy running around with domestic calamities befalling him lol
  • Dementia29
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterically funny and sadly true
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2014
    I adore this book, it is so well written ,so funny, so witty, so real, such an honest and hysterical account of true life and the crazy challanges one faces in daily life. I do hope to see another novel soon by Mark Lamprell I wanted it to be triple the size ! Fabulous holiday reading!!!
  • lyssa
    3.0 out of 5 stars Meh.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2015
    Having read other favourable reviews I thought I'd buy this for holiday reading.It offered so much but the potential was never really fully exploited. Left me feeling a bit 'meh' - one for the boot sale rather than the bookshelf I'm afraid.
  • salthegal
    5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing and surprising look into the mind of an ordinary man
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2014
    Loved this book! It's so unusual to read a novel that delves into the male psyche and to see how a traumatic event can affect the mind hidden underneath the facade.

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