
A Skimpton Compendium (Paperback)
John C. Biggins (author)
£7.99
Paperback
Published: 07/08/2020
The skies are darkening, and battle is about to commence. Skimpton, popular Deputy Head Boy and sports supremo at Faysgarth School, needs a miracle if he's to beat arch rivals Rainingham with a first eleven still drunk from the previous night's debauchery.
Further obstacles include mercurial school scoundrel Marcus Dent, Constable Stubbs, the irredeemably dim local bobby, a cricketing vicar with a unique taste in flannels, and the lethally myopic Colonel Coombes, menace of the chemistry laboratory. A motley assortment of grubby dimwits, suspicious outsiders and sinister socialists means more trouble ahead for our heroic House Captain and his irrepressible fag Piggot – and there's even an escapade in the trenches with an affable George Orwell as he fights fascists in the Spanish Civil War.
In this juicy collection of humorous stories Skimpton finds that, in a world beset by colonial conundrums, sexual tension, political skulduggery and the occasional stinky third-former, the immutable values of King and country don't always win the prize. For, whether the challenge is a chafing jockstrap or an infuriating history master, one thing's for certain: at Faysgarth nothing is ever quite what it seems.
A Skimpton Compendium takes up where Michael Palin's Ripping Yarns left off. If you like Lindsay Anderson's If and the stories of Richmal Crompton and PG Wodehouse, you'll love A Skimpton Compendium.
Further obstacles include mercurial school scoundrel Marcus Dent, Constable Stubbs, the irredeemably dim local bobby, a cricketing vicar with a unique taste in flannels, and the lethally myopic Colonel Coombes, menace of the chemistry laboratory. A motley assortment of grubby dimwits, suspicious outsiders and sinister socialists means more trouble ahead for our heroic House Captain and his irrepressible fag Piggot – and there's even an escapade in the trenches with an affable George Orwell as he fights fascists in the Spanish Civil War.
In this juicy collection of humorous stories Skimpton finds that, in a world beset by colonial conundrums, sexual tension, political skulduggery and the occasional stinky third-former, the immutable values of King and country don't always win the prize. For, whether the challenge is a chafing jockstrap or an infuriating history master, one thing's for certain: at Faysgarth nothing is ever quite what it seems.
A Skimpton Compendium takes up where Michael Palin's Ripping Yarns left off. If you like Lindsay Anderson's If and the stories of Richmal Crompton and PG Wodehouse, you'll love A Skimpton Compendium.
Publisher: Trophy Press
ISBN: 9781838149505
Dimensions: 228 x 152 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Biggins...carves out his world with a rage-fuelled chisel, refined with smaller cuts from a wickedly cruel scalpel.'- Amazon.co.uk; 'It's well written, the characters are sharply defined, and there are some genuine laugh out loud moments. I loved it.'- Amazon.co.uk; 'Sheer delight from start to finish. Beautifully and eloquently written. Heartily recommended.'- Amazon.co.uk';A cautionary tale of privilege indulged. So much more than a witty pastiche, highly recommended.'- Amazon.co.uk; 'A laugh-out-loud read, I loved this. Even though it's all about public school boys and sport, it's not just for blokes, because it's so well written and funny.'- Amazon.co.uk; 'I really loved this book. Each story gave us something different, as we entered the world of these boys at Faysgarth. A great bit of escapism in these troubled times. Do hope there will be a follow up.' - Amazon.co.uk; 'Not only is this collection of stories absolutely hilarious, it also manages to be both poignant and politically apposite. Skimpton is a flawed hero: a champion sportsman but pretty hopeless at everything else.In these times where the UK seems to be run by appalling public school bounders it's great to see those privileged institutions taken apart with such style and wit.' - Amazon.co.uk
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