! Spanky (BOOKRING)

by Christopher Fowler | Horror |
ISBN: 0751506990 Global Overview for this book
Registered by rem_DYI-991976 on 4/18/2004
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
17 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by rem_DYI-991976 on Sunday, April 18, 2004
I've got two rings running already for this author but this one I haven't ringed previously because I wasn't letting my personal copy go! Chris Fowler is not all that well known and copies of his books don't turn up very often (there are only 9 copies of this in the whole of BCland). While trawling for Yule gifts I found a copy and therefore Spanky is on offer. Now there's an excellent quote to explain the name of the book and it's delightful villain:

"...The shortened version of my name is Spancialosaphus Lacrimosae. Still a bit of a mouthful, I'm afraid. You can call me Spanky."

The blurb:

"Martyn Ross had a miserable life until he met Spanky, a tuxedoed charmer who's diabolically handsome, successful and ruthless. He's willing to share his wild world of wine, women and wealth - but at a price. And it has nothing to do with Martyn surrendering his soul. Quite the reverse..."

Review from Time Out:

'Compulsive... Gruesome, gory and great fun.'

Journal Entry 2 by rem_DYI-991976 on Sunday, November 21, 2004
Book Ring Rules (Adapted from psychjo and kleptokitty)

1) Everybody should leave a journal entry when receiving the book and after the read! Please let us all know what you think about it...
2) Also PM the next person on the list for a mailing address and when that person doesn't answer within 7 days MAX! please PM the one after...
3) Everybody should also try to read the book soon (max - one month?)- but in a joyful speed. It's not about how many books someone can read within a certain amount of time - it's about enjoying it...
4) You can send the book via surface mail or airmail - that is completely up to you.
5) If you find you don't have the time to read it when it's your turn please PM and I'll move you to a later slot.
6) Enjoy :-)


Participants

Beebarf (UK)
Netstation (UK)
Dodau (UK)
Flajol (UK)
aubriel (UK)
Nyassa (UK)
Yiremyahu (UK)
catrionamoore (UK)
lagegu (UK)
YowlYY (UK)
Caligula03 (US)
Stellertony(US)
catsalive (Australia)
Semming (Finland)
Morgaine77 (Switzerland)
rillaith (UK)
UrbanSpaceman (UK)
molekilby (UK)
...
back to me (UK)

Journal Entry 3 by rem_DYI-991976 at book ring in a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Released 19 yrs ago (2/3/2005 UTC) at book ring in a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases

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On way to start its journey. :)

Journal Entry 4 by beeofgoodcheer from Stowmarket, Suffolk United Kingdom on Saturday, February 5, 2005
Oh crumbs! Another bookring book lands on the doormat :O) Sounds interesting!

Journal Entry 5 by beeofgoodcheer from Stowmarket, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, March 28, 2005
This is still with me - life has been a bit overwhelming recently, but I wanted to let everyone know that the book is safe and I've not forgotten about it!

Journal Entry 6 by beeofgoodcheer from Stowmarket, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Like Philip Pullman, this is a book about humans and daemons. Like Pullman, it explores the concept of spirit, soul and the separateness of the spirit, but that's where the similiarity ends.

This is a much more casual romp through the philosophical issues and instead focusses on horror and violence.

I enjoyed the story, and found the main character engaging but the horror left me curiously unmoved - maybe I'm just immune to it? In which case why did the Weirdstone of Brisingamen literally have me with me fingers stuffed in my mouth?

I could "see" this book as a film ... somewhat in the "American Psycho" mould - which may or may not be a recommendation!

Thanks daemonwolf, will be off to Netstation as soon as I have an address.

Journal Entry 7 by beeofgoodcheer at on Saturday, May 7, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (5/7/2005 UTC) at

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Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 8 by wingNetstationwing from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, June 2, 2005
... and this is the other ring book that I failed to journal on its arrival. Sorry everyone :o( Another good read from an author I'd never heard of before BC, and another book from Daemonwolf, the Fowler-pusher ;o)

I can't help comparing this with Disturbia by the same author. A generally well-meaning but somewhat woolly-minded hero faces an implacable enemy. Lots of dark, rain-washed streets; London geography; and gruesome or gory exits: but the similarities don't detract from the story at all.

Spanky is of course the type of daemon everyone wants to meet. He can provide success, money, sex-appeal to those not possesed of film star looks or footballer's bank balances. The only thing is, can the *lucky* recipient of his largesse afford the fee?

This book will be off to frighten Dodau tomorrow, Friday.

Journal Entry 9 by dodau from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Arrived safely this morning. Next in line to be read. Thanks Netstation.

Journal Entry 10 by dodau from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire United Kingdom on Friday, June 10, 2005
A quick and enjoyable read. Martin is a real loser and it's easy to see the temptation of what Spanky offers to do for him. However he should have known that there would be a catch, especially after seeing the methods Spanky used.

Released 18 yrs ago (6/15/2005 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Journal Entry 12 by flajol from Carterton, Wairarapa New Zealand on Friday, June 17, 2005
Arrived today. I've go a couple of other rings to read first, but it shouldn't be too long before this book continues its journey.

Interesting cover. :o)

Journal Entry 13 by flajol from Carterton, Wairarapa New Zealand on Tuesday, June 28, 2005
I don't know why I was expecting this to be a comedy. Just shows, that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...

Good scary fun, although I have to agree with Dodau - right up until Sparky drops the bombshell, I kept asking "what's the catch? There's got to be a catch." The better Martyn's luck gets, you know that the bigger the price is going to be.

I won't say any more as I don't want to give too much away. Reading 'Spanky' has prompted me to dig out my copy of 'Roofworld', and I'll be looking out for more by Christopher Fowler.


Journal Entry 14 by flajol at on Friday, July 1, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (7/1/2005 UTC) at

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Posted to aubriel.

Journal Entry 15 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Arrived saturday, but I haven't quite had time to log its arrival till today - sorry!!

Journal Entry 16 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 2, 2005
I must admit I read the first half of the book wondering why this book had been classified horror as no matter how much too good to be true Spanky was it was hardly frightening. When events did turn sinister, like Beebarf, it didn't really have any effect, it just seemed a bit misplaced after all the lighthearted ness of the begining. The contrast just didn't work for me.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not the best thing I have ever read.

Journal Entry 17 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Thursday, August 4, 2005
Arrived safely today, and with no other rays/rings in the offing, I should be able to start it this weekend.

Journal Entry 18 by Yiremyahu on Friday, August 19, 2005
Arrived safely today. Thanks!

Journal Entry 19 by Yiremyahu on Thursday, August 25, 2005
I was expecting a this to be a comedy up until I read some of the journal entries here. I guess it was the title and the quote about Spanky's name that did it. Still, an enjoyable read, and one I probably wouldn't have come across if it wasn't for BC. Thanks, Deamonwolf.

Journal Entry 20 by wingappletreenwing from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Arrived safely this morning thank you.

I have just started reading Feet of Clay but I shall read this one next.

Journal Entry 21 by wingappletreenwing from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, September 9, 2005
Darkest black humour meets terrifying horror, the sort of horror that would never work on a TV screen. An excellent page turner I’d love to read more of this author’s work.

To be sent on as soon as I have a spare 5 minutes to nip to the PO.

Journal Entry 22 by Iagegu from Preston, Lancashire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Received today. Not sure what I expected of the book but it certainly looks unusual. Will read as soon as I can.

Thanks.

Not really my sort of book. Will PM YowlYY.

Released 18 yrs ago (9/21/2005 UTC) at posted to a fellow bookcrosser in Royal Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Posted 14/10/05

Journal Entry 24 by YowlYY on Monday, October 17, 2005
Just received in the mail :)
As the bookring plague has spread a bit, this is now No.5 on my TBR pile, so it will take a few weeks to continue its journey to California. I will make a JE as soon as I am done with it. Thanks for your patience!

Journal Entry 25 by YowlYY on Friday, November 18, 2005
Quick update to let you know that I am starting to read this today, so it shouldn't be too long until the next stop :)
I will update this JE once finished reading. Thanks for your patience!

Update 02.12.2005:
Apologies for holding the book for so long - I finished it two days ago, and somehow I should have been able to read it much faster, but there was something that did not quite convince me about the story. The Mephistopheles-Faust relationship is here brought to the 20th(21st?) century, and where originally a soul changes owner, here is the body that does. I expected it to be really gruesome, considered the excerpts of critics on the back of the book, and some of the journals, and just like Beebarf I wasn't neither horrified nor moved by the violence. I must have read too many horror books/seen to many horror movies, that's possible!
However, I couldn't help signing up for another ring launched by our ringmaster for another title of the same author...maybe that one will be really scary ;)

All in all, it's an ok book that will help time go faster during a boring train/bus/plane journey.

The book is leaving the UK today to visit sunny California...enjoy!

Journal Entry 26 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Spanky is here along with an adorable Christmas card. Thank you! :)

Is it just me or does Spanky look like Brad Pitt?

Journal Entry 27 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Thursday, December 22, 2005
I'm afraid Spanky (who still looks like Brad Pitt to me) didn't get to see any California sun. It's been raining the entire time he's been here.

Anyway, the book reminded me a lot of the film Shawn of the Dead in its blending of comedy (with the array of loser characters stuck in dead end jobs and dreary lives) and horror (daemons in this case). The pacing was good, though the last show down took longer than I thought it warranted but it was compelling enough a read that as soon as I got home from work each day, I carried the book around to sneak a few pages between making dinner or doing the dishes, etc.

Journal Entry 28 by caligula03 at on Friday, December 23, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (1/16/2006 UTC) at

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To stellertony.

Journal Entry 29 by stellertony from Anchorage, Alaska USA on Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Arrived a couple of days ago, but I couldn't get the website to work! It's safe and sound, if a little frozen.

Journal Entry 30 by stellertony from Anchorage, Alaska USA on Thursday, March 9, 2006
I apologize for the long time... I thought I had journalled it again, when it's just been sitting here next to the computer for so long!

I agree that this book was very creepy... gives me shudders just to think about stabbing things into my neck.

Journal Entry 31 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, May 4, 2006
This book has arrived. Thanks, stellertony, and for the bright orange ASPCA wristband. My 4 cats came from the Animal Welfare League & the RSPCA.

Journal Entry 32 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, June 7, 2006
He has quite the imagination, Christopher Fowler. I found the middle 3rd very dull but the other parts were good. I really enjoyed the first bit, thinking it was a bit of a fantasy. The last bit where events escalated was very exciting. The middle bit seemed to drag on forever, the part where things started to go wrong & Martyn realised what he was in for. I liked the solution but was a bit disappointed in the ending.

Thanks, daemonwolf. I'll post this off to Semming when I have the address.

Journal Entry 33 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Posted surface mail this morning, 14/6/6.

Journal Entry 34 by Semming from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Arrived today, love the cover. :) I actually happened to find and buy a copy of this book just after it was mailed to me, so I think I'll forward this to the next participant and add my thoughts on the book later. Thanks for the ring!

EDIT (11.9.): Forgot to make a journal entry, sorry. The book has been mailed to the next participant!

Journal Entry 35 by Morgaine77 from Münchenstein, Baselland Switzerland on Monday, September 18, 2006
The book arrived safely in Switzerland. I do have a lot of Bookrings here with me at the moment, but will get to this one in due time. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 36 by Morgaine77 from Münchenstein, Baselland Switzerland on Monday, November 20, 2006
Just a quick update to let you know that I started to read the book this weekend and that it wasn't forgotten. ;-)

Journal Entry 37 by Morgaine77 from Münchenstein, Baselland Switzerland on Thursday, November 30, 2006
Funny, "Roofworld" by the same author absolutely failed to capture me. But "Spanky" kept me interested throughout the book.
I thought it started quite funny and I had a few giggles. And yeah, there were a couple of gruesome scenes but I wasn't too shocked by them. All in all an enjoyable read for my daily commute. Thanks for sharing!

I already PM'd rillaith for her address, but haven't heard back yet.

RELEASE NOTES:

Finally travelling on by surface mail to rillaith.
Enjoy! :-)

Released 12 yrs ago (9/25/2011 UTC) at -- Somewhere In Nottingham 🤷🏿 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom

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