Earls, Nick

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Perfect Skin
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312280564

Book Description

Jon Marshall, a thirty-something doctor, has come a long way since his bachelor days. He's a partner in his own medical practice, owns a nice house in a nice suburb, and cruises around town in a BMW. And he has a six-month-old daughter, Lily, affectionately known as the Bean, with whom he's learning the joys of being a single dad. But Jon's life hasn't taken the path that he thought it would back in his twenties. Newly single, he awaits the challenges of many dating misadventures. His computer has been seized by surly software. He's absurdly clumsy with domestic pets, and his sexy new running buddy, Ashley, has his mind running in circles. A major bestseller in Australia, Nick Earls's Perfect Skin is a touching, frank, and laugh-out-loud funny look at single fatherhood and dating in a post Duran-Duran age.AUTHORBIO: NICK EARLS is the author of two previous novels, Zigzag Street and Bachelor Kisses, two collections of short stories, and two novels for young adults. His work has also been published in England, Italy, and Germany. He lives in Brisbane, Australia.

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After Summer
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Graphia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Two to Go: A Novel

ASIN: 061845781X

Book Description

This summer is different. School is over for Alex Delaney, and he's waiting for his university acceptance, only seventeen days away. The waiting is killing him. He's not expecting much from summer. Bodysurfing, TV, but mainly waiting. So he's not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. Not at all prepared for her perfect balance on the board, the elegant muscles of her shoulders and back. Just a girl. Compelling green eyes, golden skin, something graceful and elusive about her. Summer is about to change.

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Two to Go: A Novel
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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After Summer

ASIN: 0312284721

Book Description

Phil and Frank are best friends and med students who work part-time at Ron Todd's World of Chickens as a package deal. Phil's out in front doing shifts in the chicken suit, and Frank's in back frying burgers. They are the A Team, and the World is a sanc-tuary from the pressures of home and college, and a place to scheme about meeting women. Someday Frank hopes to be a surgeon, while Phil's secret dream is to be a filmmaker. In the meantime, life at the World gets sticky when Phil falls big time for Ron's daughter, Frank has it bad for Ron's wife, and business is down. Suddenly, Phil becomes a reluctant and altogether unexpected oracle on dental health, strategic plan-ning, and marriage guidance.

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Bachelor Kisses
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Australia Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140269630

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Ah, Earls.
Contemporary Comedy of Manners set in Brisbane
Insipid Street
meh!
Americans like this book too

Zigzag Street
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0330355333

Customer Reviews:

Ah, Earls........2006-04-03

It appears that readers of this book have fallen into one of two categories, they either gushingly loved it or absolutely despised it. This should not really be a surprise, as Earls dry humor seems to always evoke this sort of response. It is useful to compare Nick Earls' writing to a painting by Picasso--for some it is perfection on a canvas, while for others a picture cannot be discerned from the distortion. The biggest mistake one can make in embarking on Zigzag Street, or indeed any book by Earls, is to expect something in the order of Dickens or Austen...I'm afraid we are working in an entirely different realm of writing.

I found Zigzag Street to be written well, with the distinctive phraseology that is ridiculously contageous, to the point that the reader's thoughts begin to take the shape of the characters. In regard to the plot, the book moves rather slowly. I must make it clear that this is not a criticism. The story is a reflection of realistic human angst, and angst is arguably not an emotion that can be dealt with in a day. The slowness, and in fact insignificance of most events in the story are what makes it humorous and believable. Again, it comes back to the fact that you shouldn't be reading Earls if you need constant action or mystery to keep the pages turning.

The problem I had with this novel was not in it's general form, but rather with the ending. It felt too easy to be credible. After two hundred pages of torment over 'thrashing', all was resolved and a happy ending was reached. For me, Rachel did not live up to expectations. I anticipated a lot more from the woman who actively pursued a man that knocked her unconscious with a shoe in a shopping centre. After idolising her for so long, she became to real and faliable, and undermined the position of the neurotic, now not-so-one-of-a-kind Richard. This, more than anything else disappointed me.

Overall, the book was good. It was a characteristically Earls, but failed to maintain his high standard at the end.

Contemporary Comedy of Manners set in Brisbane.......2005-10-17

Zigzag Street is a contemporary comedy of manners that is set in Brisbane, Australia. It explores the life of the male protagonist twenty-seven year old Richard Derrington. He has recently been dumped by Anna, his girlfriend from his university days. This throws him into a early mid-life crisis as he tries to reestablish his position in the world without her.

It is written in first person present tense as we experience Derrington's life since Anna's departure. As consistent with the conventions of this genre Zigzag Street takes a light and humourous approach to contemporary themes. Derrington somehow struggles through his work and social life using a mixture of alcohol and timtams (chocolate biscuits). His search for a partner to complete his life is reminiscent of works such as Bridget Jone's Diary.

There are some eccentic minor characters who interact with Derrington such as neighbour Kevin, his friend Jeff and boss Hillary. They help to establish Derrington as a decent person who through alcohol and bad fortune seems to end up in some embarrassing and hilarious situations.

Where Zigzag Street differs from other contemporary of manners is the location. Being set in Brisbane means that references to cricket, Timtams and The Triffids will be lost on many readers. However this is a minor problem. It is an engaging, genuinely funny book that would be a great holiday read, or for anyone that needs a laugh.

Insipid Street.......2005-05-19

I read Bachelor Kisses in full and was inspired by the favourable reviews of this novel. What a disappointment. I really did try and read the whole thing but found myself speed reading at about page 150 and finally decided to let it go. My main criticism is that nothing happens. Rick does have an affair and does dance naked in the office but the entire novel is deviod of any drama, insight or adventure. Each 'chapter' runs for 2-5 pages with very minor incidents eg: digging up a tree in the next door neighbors yard, getting drunk at a restaurant, playing tennis with his mates - does that sound very interesting? Its not. I really cant believe the acclaim this book has received. Bachelor Kisses was tolerable but I would be filing this for fans only. I have been reading a lot of Nick Hornby and Ben Elton who find a similar style but are a million miles from our Nick. Its a shame, as an australian, I would like to say this is a good book but frankly it is a very boring drive down insipid street.

meh!.......2003-08-20

this book is really clever. i never thought about brisane this way (the way that it is) and it amazed me that these events are likely and could happen to anyone! i've read the book many times and today i decided to stop reading for a little bit and do something else. i live in red hill, very close to zig zag street and didn't think it was very special. so i'll keep this short and say that i love rick's long, meaningless pursuits...

Americans like this book too.......2003-01-19

I would read this book on the bus to work and everyone would stare at me because I was laughing out loud. It's perfect for any one who appreciates Australians bizarre sense of humor.

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Amusing yet Tedious
Nick Earls Is A Genious
Interesting Book
A Hilarious Bore
48 Shades of Brown

48 Shades of Brown
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Graphia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618452958

Book Description

Australian teenager Dan Bancroft had a choice to make: go to Geneva with his parents for a year, or move into a house with his bass-playing aunt Jacq and her friend Naomi. He chose Jacq's place, and his life will never be the same. This action-packed and laugh-out-loud-funny novel navigates Dan's chaotic world of calculus, roommates, birds, and love.

Customer Reviews:

Amusing yet Tedious.......2005-04-08

Dan has to make a choice, and so do you. Dan's choices are to either go to Geneva with his parents, board in Australia or stay in Australia but live with his aunt. Your choice is whether or not to read this amusing yet tedious book.

Dan chooses to live with his aunt, Jacq, and her friend Naomi. Jacq is a 22 year old who plays bass guitar in her band. Naomi is a beautiful university student who has a boyfriend named Jason. Everything goes crazy when Dan realizes that he has fallen in love with Naomi and spends all his time trying to memorize the shades of brown to classify birds scientifically and impress Naomi. As if everything isn't confusing enough for Dan, his best friend, Chris Burns, is obsessed with pornography. Throw in a dog named Boner, Dan's ability to analyze just about anything and a good deal of vomiting and you get 48 Shades of Brown.

The book is written in first person from Dan's perspective. Dan is a curious guy with a comical view on life. You'll find yourself laughing uncontrollably at some of Dan's thoughts and questions. But most of the time you'll feel like skipping a couple pages as Dan analyzes aspects of his life. His ability to examine everything from one sentence that Naomi said to his own habit of wearing socks for up to four pages could get incredibly boring. It even seems like a tedious chore after a while.

The book is written almost completely in stream of consciousness, even more so than Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. If you don't like stream of consciousness you should stay far away from this book.

48 Shades of Brown won the Children's Book of the Year: Older Readers Award from the Children's Book Council of Australia. As suggested by the award the book is targeted at an older audience. The book contains a lot of adult content (mainly sexual references) so people who are young or immature shouldn't read it.

So what will be your choice? Will you read this book and laugh along with (and sometimes at) Dan as he amusingly explores his new life? Or will you stay far far away from this tedious read? The choice is yours.

Nick Earls Is A Genious.......2005-04-05

I like this book, it is good. I also like butterflies, trees and men. My mum says so. I was able to relate to this book cause it refered to trees and men. My best friend is Kyle.

Interesting Book.......2005-04-04

48 shades of brown is unlike any book that i've read before. i thought the way the quthor expressed the guys thoughts was differant and funny. i had never read a book before that had a boys life instead of a girl. some of the parts were very funny and i enjoyed reading it. it is a book for people who just want something differant and for the most part easy to read. at parts it got confusing but overall it was a good book. i would say anyone who wants a fun read would like it.

A Hilarious Bore.......2005-02-04

When I picked up the book, I was debating on whether or not it would be good. After reading, I'm still wondering if it was worth the read.
The book has a very slow beginning. This slow beginning leads to an even slower plot development. The novel lacks action and the climax was more like that of rising action. There is the hint of wonder on whether or not Dan gets the girl, but nothing to keep one turning the pages. The ending was quick, rushed, yet to the point. I guess it's to make up for the lack of substance in the novel.However, on the bright side the book is very funny. It's edgy and Dan has a comical view on life. He analyzes everything, even the way he puts on his shoes. Many a time you will find yourself laughing at one Dan's thinking. But, there wasn't a connection with any of the characters so they and the book aren't worth remembering.

48 Shades of Brown.......2005-01-20

The book 48 Shades of brown is a funny and romantic story about a young man named Dan who is given the choice to move to Geneva with his parents for a year, go to boarding school, or go live with his twenty-two year old aunt, Jacq. Not wanting to switch schools or be boarded at one, Dan chooses his aunts place. As if his senor year of high school isn't hard enough, Dan falls for a girl, but not just any girl, Jacq's roommate Naomi. Now, he has to survive calculus and get Naomi to like him. The trouble is that Dan isn't her type of guy, so he spends the entire book trying to become that guy that she wants.
This book is full of humor, twists, romance, and some pretty embarrassing moments. It has great characters that you fall in love with as well as one major twist at the end that I know surprised me. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to have fun and wants to laugh. This is a book that both boys and girls will have fun with and will be able to relate a lot to as well. I do not recommend this book to younger audiences because there is some sexual content and language. All together I thought this book was really well written and a very enjoyable book to read. This isn't the ordinary love story, pick it up and find out for yourself.

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Forty-Eight Shades of Brown
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Walker Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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After January (Uqp Young Adult Fiction)
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: University of Queensland Pr (Australia)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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World of chickens
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0670040126
Release Date: 2001-01-01

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48 Shades of Brown
Nick Earls
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ4EA4

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