It Had to Be You, David Nobbs
It Had to Be You, David Nobbs
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It Had to Be You

Author: David Nobbs

Narrator: David Nobbs

Unabridged: 8 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 06/23/2011

Synopsis

It Had to be You reaffirms Nobbs as the best writer of comedy and observer of the nuances of human nature that there is today. One man, five very different women. James Hollingshurst is a man shaped by those who surround him. And in James's case, it's some very different women. Be it his trusty wife Deborah, his hapless PA Marcia or his ex-girlfriend Jane. And there's one woman in James's life who looks set to upset the status quo… But a tragic accident is about to shake the bedrock of life as James knows it. An event sets a train in motion, which will challenge everything he's ever known and everyone he's ever loved. It will also bring his beloved daughter, Charlotte who he has not seen for fifteen years, tantalisingly close to him…

About David Nobbs

David Nobbs was a well-known English comedian. His first break came on the iconic satire show . Later he wrote for and and provided material for top comedians including Ken Dodd, Tommy Cooper and Dick Emery. Apart from his nineteen novels, David is best known for two hit TV series and . His radio series aired on Radio 4 in 2012.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Robert

Probably one genre of book which I just don’t get is comedy. Very few things make me laugh and when it’s in written form, even less. I usually end up irritated. I do believe that as a reader I have to test myself now and then and David Nobb’s It had to be you (also featured on the ever wonderful bac......more

Goodreads review by F.R.

For a comedy about death, ‘It Had to Be You’ really could do with being: a. Funnier b. Darker Our protagonist is that most Nobbs-ian of creations, a frustrated, middle-manager with a keen eye for the absurdity of the world around him. True, James Hollinghurst is a middle-manager on a far more global......more

Goodreads review by Grace

I have to say I agree with another reviewer upon this site who states that there is so much more to David Nobbs than just being "probably our finest comic novelist" as Jonathan Coe has stated of him (Sorry, "probably"?? There is no probably about it - he is our finest comic novelist) This book is wa......more

Goodreads review by Helen

I hadn't realized this was by the same author as "Reginald Perrin" and am now motivated to go and find these books (fond memories of the TV series). The story starts with the death of the protagonist James's wife - and the author brings humor to this in a way only the British can: embarrassment from......more

Goodreads review by Richard

One of Nobbs' best - his characters are real, flawed people with real flawes relationships. It is Nobb's stunning writing that will make you care for a man who has cheated on his wife, and the complicated aftermath of her death. This is a powerful depiction of grief - in times when we are encouraged t......more

Quotes

Praise for It Had to Be You: ‘A beautiful, surprising, sometimes searingly painful account of the eight days between a married woman’s sudden death and her funeral.’ Jonathan Coe Praise for Obstacles to Young Love: ‘Painfully hilarious, wonderfully observed and slight sour at the same time.’ Guardian ‘Thank goodness for David Nobbs! He carries on the comic tradition of P G Wodehouse with this marvellous new book; a sweet and touching love story written with his trademark sly and subversive humour. A perfect antidote to these dark times.’ Joanne Harris Praise for David Nobbs’s novels: ‘Probably our finest post-war comic novelist’ Jonathan Coe ‘A delicious entertainment, as comic and sharp as they come’ Guardian ‘The most satisfying novel I have read in years’ Express ‘A marvellously comic novel’ Sunday Times ‘One of the most noisily funny books I have ever read’ Michael Palin ‘Very funny sketches of provincial newspaper life’ Sue Townsend ‘We should be thankful for the continuing brilliance of David Nobbs … Going Gently is richly funny and rich in many other ways. Buy it’ Mail on Sunday

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