THE BIG IF

If your read my other book 'A TRIP TO TERESA' first you will get a clearer picture of the author's progress. In fact ,'THE BIG IF' is the second in an autobiographical trilogy. The third, 'RIOTOUS, VIOLENT AND INDECENT' is yet to come.

30 years later, here's a picture of me approaching St Paul's Cathedral -

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luclqguVJJ1qaojdpo1_500.jpg

And one of me inside the building -

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02043/abolish-money_2043172i.jpg

Relevant to the chapter in the Cathedral in the book where our hero handcuffs himself to the altar-rail. (But I didn't wear clothes like that in those days.)

This is really very funny indeed, but in a surprisingly gentle, very English manner which is endearing. Coincidentally, I have spent many happy hours 'scissoring' disparate pictures together, but it is the end of Chapter 4 that produced the genuine splutter of proper coffee-spilling out-loud giggles... 'Should I kill myself?'.... The dome of St. Paul's would be cheaper and easier than a gun, etc... Love it (so far).

The first chapter is very nicely written. There's something I can't put my finger on that makes me want to continue reading.

A very well written and enjoyable read, with clever and funny observational writing into the psyche of the deluded that appeals to the small part in all of us that’s a sociopath.

I have read a couple of your other book and enjoyed the so gave THE Big If a whirl. The premis is excellent you can ignore the polotics and just enjoy the ride.

Sue
( Grace) ( Knowing Liam Riley)

This is a brilliant train of consciousness which takes us on a no-brakes ride back in time
and down into the author's wild yet engagingly logical head trip.
Terrific writing.. it graces my tiny shelf.
Though class and privilege ridden British publishers
would NEVER touch it, it would make a superb basis for a script for a Ken Loach movie.

Hello Michael, I have rea the first three chapters and I am pleased to be an early backer of this book.

Witty, fascinating, exotic, eccentric, and of truly alternative views. Enticing. A few minor formatting problems, I think they were in Chapter 1, but nothing that would detract me from a truly original story with what comes across to me as an honest author's voice.

I was amused when I finally realized what was happening with the magazine clips. They did not come across as a "device" but they really worked well as one, helping to set up the story. See you at the top.

FEL

Hello Michael, this is, I think, highly original and so, so funny. I love it. I'm only sorry you didn't make it twice as long, there's so much mileage to be had in this character on his mad crusade. It keeps me guessing - how thin is the line between eccentricity and actual madness?
One of my favourite scenes is when the main character has handed out leaflets and badges to the hairdresser girl and Indian man and the next day they blatantly ignore him. The scene in the church is a classic. The exchanges with Arthur are hilarious. The first couple of chapters remind me a little of aspects of 'Taxi Driver' and those other sad and lonely, deluded people like Mark Chapman (Lennon's death is actually referred to in the piece) and the guy who fired blanks at the Queen.
Nice touch adding comments on your own work too!! BACKED Chris1

Thanks Chris. Very astute!

Hello Michael, this is, I think, highly original and so, so funny. I love it. I'm only sorry you didn't make it twice as long, there's so much mileage to be had in this character on his mad crusade. It keeps me guessing - how thin is the line between eccentricity and actual madness?
One of my favourite scenes is when the main character has handed out leaflets and badges to the hairdresser girl and Indian man and the next day they blatantly ignore him. The scene in the church is a classic. The exchanges with Arthur are hilarious. The first couple of chapters remind me a little of aspects of 'Taxi Driver' and those other sad and lonely, deluded people like Mark Chapman (Lennon's death is actually referred to in the piece) and the guy who fired blanks at the Queen.
Nice touch adding comments on your own work too!! BACKED Chris1

Nice. I fell into your book and stayed there. Enjoyable read, with good characterisation and tightly written - fluid prose that carry one along nicely. In the end, I got pretty into it. No grammer king, so cannot give any advice on punctuation, spelling etc. (I'm atrocious), but from where I am standing I am impressed. Happy to back this.

BACKED

tanks

Nice. I fell into your book and stayed there. Enjoyable read, with good characterisation and tightly written - fluid prose that carry one along nicely. In the end, I got pretty into it. No grammer king, so cannot give any advice on punctuation, spelling etc. (I'm atrocious), but from where I am standing I am impressed. Happy to back this.

BACKED

Very well written. You have a gift for words. SHELVED!

I can use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Wow! What a great life you have led! Well written buddy and highly informative! Shelved, although not sure if that is what you want, it shows how good I think this is!
Simon

The Big If

Hi Michael, What a very different start, Anarchism and cake competitions, perhaps never in the history of stories have these two things been brought together in the first chapter of a book. And what a recipe, I loved the unusualness, it was compelling, the gentle honesty of the narrator shining through. Intrigued, I would read on, if only there were time, back backed and well done - Andrew W.

This is really well written. It kept me really interested. I like the beginning very much it grabbed my attention straight away with all the cake stuff that adds a bit of humour! Great front cover & title by the way. You have my backing! Clare

Backing this because i want to get in early and avoid the rush.
Comments to follow soonish.

A super engaging fun and entertaining read. Beautifully written.
If only more people would live like this.
Actually LIVING instead of cynically avoiding any problems.

WORLD STRIKE 2012

If you agree that the abolition of money would be a fine solution to most of our problems, and that we could create a much better system where EVERYTHING - food and drink, clothing and housing, water, heating, education, health-care and entertainment - shall be FREE for EVERYONE - why not join the World-Wide Strike on the opening day of the Olympic Games in 2012?

The Strike will begin the moment the symbolic Olympic flame is lit - the signal for all who support the abolition of money to stop work and demand a new fair world of true freedom and justice.

WE WANT A MONEYLESS WORLD

Pass it on.