Book Review: Mr Cuthbert
or how to insert the jigger into the poker, by Steve Schwartz
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or how to insert the jigger into the poker, by Steve Schwartz
Opening disclaimer: This book was written by a friend, and I was involved in the proof-reading, editing and formatting of the work.* However – I offered to take on those tasks only after reading the first couple of chapters. It was genuinely funny and original writing – a perfect marriage of raw Australian and puckah British humor. This, coming from a new author living these days in the wild tropics of Cairns – gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Steve, like me, is a former public servant, Unlike me, he was also lead singer and songwriter for a surf/swamp rock band named the Strap-Ons who rocked the north of the New South Wales coastline from 1983 to1987 and who for reasons unknown, had some level of popularity in Sweden. ABBA they were not!
They also had one of their songs, Death Rides the Tube, covered by New York band Wolf Ticket, and fellow Aussie band, Slug.
Incredibly, one of Steve’s solo efforts is a JFK song… New God in Town
But this is about Steve’s book, not Steve.
Each chapter gives a different adventure of our anti-hero – who insists that the hoi polloi he is forced to deal with across Europe (including Eastern Europe), Latin America and Africa, address him as Mr. Cuthbert – a throwback to English colonialism. His full name is Cuthbert Wilberforce O’Toole. One of the running jokes throughout is the various ways in which his name is mispronounced.
Cuthbert is employed by a low-key but wildly influential firm based in Brussels, which is hired by various governments and corporations to broker difficult deals – often with despots, and often having to maneuver around international treaties and local laws.
Cuthbert performs these tasks travelling the world with an extremely generous expense account, which is used to supply a virtual Congo-line of drugs, wine, women and song.
Mr. Cuthbert (including his various oddball friends, contacts and conquests) is hilarious, outrageous, and as far from politically correct as it may be possible to be. But it is also ultimately, strangely heart warming, as the last few chapters tie together what seemed initially like completely unrelated adventures in the life of a larger than life rogue.
You will never look at cricket, cruising, cruises missiles, or Christmas, the same way again.
I have two copies to give away. One for the best comment here, and another for the best Amazon review. I will be sole judge, and “best” may mean, funniest, weirdest, most earnest and helpful, or whatever else.
I love this book so much, I have converted each chapter into a series episode for streaming services… so if there are any producers out there who would like to talk… please get in touch.
These copies will be signed by me.
Mr. Cuthbert… or How to Insert the Jigger into the Poker
*You know who to blame if you spot any typos!
I do not charge a subscription fee, but do love coffee!
It sounds like a thoroughly enjoyable read and somewhat reminiscent of G M Fraser’s novels of Harry Flashman and his rollicking romp through some stranger British historical episodes. I mean… flatulence started the charge of the Light Brigade??? Really!!
Having worked with you before on typos and editing, I cannot see much problem with that. I have books that have been published for years and I am still finding typos in them. The pesky things disguise themselves or something and pop up again at the weirdest times.
I look forward to reading the volume. We can all use a little more humor these days.
Well, Terry – looks like you scared off all the competition!
Either email or contact through FB messenger with your postal address, and I shall get of copy off forthwith! But be warned – it is explicit in parts and there are absolutely no sacred cows. Definitely not PC. All that said, I hope you like the humor!
Okay. Will do.