The Chancers - Softcover

Lanigan, Damian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0002261227 ISBN 13: 9780002261227

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

A failed actor has one last chance at success – in this razor-sharp satirical novel from the acclaimed author of STRETCH, 29.

Hailed by the Observer as ‘a dazzling performance, teeming with invention, wicked humour and unforced insights’ and by the Daily Mirror as ‘heartbreakingly funny’, STRETCH, 29, Damian Lanigan’s story of the downward-spiralling life of serial under-achiever Frank Stretch, established him as one of the most distinctive voices of a new generation of British comic writers. Now, in THE CHANCERS, his new hero is struggling to escape the modern obsession with fame...

There was a time when Patrick Moon had all the fame he could handle. Starring in Macbeth fresh out of RADA, he was the darling of the West End when he fell in love with fast-rising young novelist Susie Fisher. Eight years later, the spotlight has moved on, Patrick is permanently ‘resting’, the golden couple is badly in need of a polish and he can’t even perform in the bedroom. Worst of all, Susie now writes a weekly column in which she reveals the most intimate details of their crumbling relationship. But then he unexpectedly wins a leading role in a small-budget film. Could this be his last chance to escape all his troubles and regain the public admiration he is convinced he deserves?

About this title

Review:

From the reviews of STRETCH, 29:

‘Brilliantly funny. A dazzling performance. This is a book of great poise, teeming with invention, wicked humour and unforced insights.’
OBSERVER

‘Heartbreakingly funny. Debuts don’t get much better than this.’
DAILY MIRROR

‘Lit by some truly fine writing and observation. Lanigan’s account of a family sliding into misery has moments of Dickensian greatness.’
INDEPENDENT

‘Frank Stretch, the hero of this entertaining novel... is as original and affecting as Billy Liar or Lucky Jim were to previous generations.'
Grub Smith, FHM

From the Back Cover:

'Patrick Moon has a problem:
he has three problems.'

'First', he's an actor who no longer does any acting.

'Second', he's experiencing a certain sexual difficulty.

'Third', he realises that there are dangerous questions about his relationship that urgently need to be answered – such as, how much does he really know about her? And, what does she really think about him?

However, he may be on the verge of getting 'second chances' all round, thanks to a highly unorthodox Jew, a Transatlantic wunderkind film-maker and two 'strangely compelling' co-stars.

And if sometimes second chances have 'unintended consequences' – then who does he have to 'blame'?

'The Chancers' is a razor-sharp, scarily funny take on celebrity culture, the meaning of success and failure – and what's worth risking for a moment in the spotlight.

Praise for Damian Lanigan's 'Stretch, 29':

"Brilliantly funny. This is a book of great poise, teeming with invention, wicked humour and unforced insights. A dazzling performance."
'Observer'

"Heartbreakingly funny. Debuts don't get much better than this."
'Daily Mirror'

"As original and affecting as Billy Liar or Lucky Jim were to previous generations."
GRUB SMITH, 'FHM'

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0002261227
• ISBN 13: 9780002261227
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336