Bookseller Reviews
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Tough, moving and a difficult read
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a proof copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this book however as a warning I will say it may contain triggers ... READ MORE
A moving, funny and thought-provoking novel
I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Mark Watson's latest novel from the publisher and read it in a day.
I could not put it down.
The inner tur... READ MORE
The power of contacts and kindness
I am ashamed to say that Contacts is the first book I’ve read by Mark Watson. I would like to thanks the publishers for sending me a reading copy.Contacts ... READ MORE
Compassionately written.
A heart breaking insight into how easily one man's life collapses to a point where he is about to commit suicide. The subject matter is not the easiest whi... READ MORE
Synopsis
James Chiltern boards the 23:50 sleeper train from London to Edinburgh with two pork pies, six beers and a packet of chocolate digestives. At 23:55 he sends a message to all 158 people in his contacts, telling them that he plans to end his life in the morning. He then switches his phone to flight mode. He's said goodbye. To him, it's the end of his story - and time to crack open the biscuits.
But across the world, 158 phones are lighting up with a notification. Phones belonging to his mum. His sister. His ex-best friend. The woman who broke his heart. People he's lost touch with. People he barely knows. And for them, the message is only the beginning of the journey.
Funny and wise, tender and deeply moving, Contacts is a beautiful story about the weight of loneliness, the importance of kindness - and how it's never too late to reach out.
Publisher information
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- ISBN: 9780008346997
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 24 mm
- Weight: 270g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allCharacter-led novel about the way people can interact - different and interesting.
I chose this book to read because of the author, a comedian whose work I enjoy. However this book is not humorous but deadly serious, which was a disappoin... READ MORE
Being lonely with 158 friends!
A fascinating novel written and read by the author, Mark Watson. James Chiltern, heart of gold, rather overweight, estranged from his sister, jobless, lone... READ MORE
Brave and witty with a lead character that’s hard to forget
Contacts is a brave, original, storyline with a quirky cast of characters and one that will surprise you with its humour. James Chiltern is embarking on h... READ MORE
Contacts
I love Mark Watson's stand-up comedy so I was eagerly anticipating his latest novel, despite it being on the topic of suicide.
Whilst this is clearly a d... READ MORE
Wow. This book hits you hard.
Wow. This book hits you hard.
James sends a text to the 158 contacts in his phone to say goodbye as he travels on an overnight sleeper train to the place ... READ MORE
Okay, not one of his best
I've read and enjoyed all Mark Watson's previous books, but I'm finding this one quite difficult to review. The author writes sensitively about the subject... READ MORE
Contacts - thought provoking, heartfelt, emotional read intertwined with Watson's trademark humour.
I've been a fan of Mark Watson as a comedian for years but it's only relatively recently that I've discovered his great skill as an author. One trait I fin... READ MORE
A painful but important book
This is a beautiful book. Heartbreaking, painful, and somehow also funny, without the funny bits stepping all over the serious tone of the story.
But ple... READ MORE
Touching, Heartfelt and Hopeful
This is my first book by Mark Watson but it certainly won’t be my last. Sensitively written, this is a heartfelt and touching novel which deals with the al... READ MORE
Sad at times but with humour and a few laughs!
I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Contacts’ by Mark Watson in exchange for my honest a... READ MORE
Warm and thought provoking
Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.
James is on the sleeper train to Edinburgh, where... READ MORE
Wow what a Book
This book tells the story of James Chilton who boards a sleeper train from London and Edinburgh and sends out a text to his 158 contacts saying that he is ... READ MORE
Unusual and Gripping
I confess, this is a review copy that has sat in my to be read towers for far too long but seeing it on the Read for Ukraine tables reminded me so I have f... READ MORE
Sensitive & compelling
Difficult subjects can be hard to deal with in a sensitive manner but Watson effortlessly manages to treat the topic of suicide with consideration and grac... READ MORE
A well written, thought provoking tale with a difference.
This is such a clever, different, premise for a book. A man is sitting on a train sending a text to all of his contacts, informing them of his planned suic... READ MORE
Contacts
Well this was a little different to what I was expecting. And not at all bad! We start on a train journey where James decides he has had enough of the worl... READ MORE
A good read
I enjoyed this.
James is a young man, disillusioned with his life, and he sets out a plan to jump from a bridge in Edinburgh and end his life. To that eff... READ MORE
A life affirming tale of our times.
A fascinating novel written and read by the author, Mark Watson. James Chiltern, heart of gold, rather overweight, estranged from his sister, jobless, lone... READ MORE