Fairly Truthful Tales. By Gary Hogg.
Comedy Monologues From The North Of England.
I sat down with this, intending to read just one or two a night, but I just couldn't put it down once I'd started. Set in Amblethwaite, a small town up north, and to the left a bit. And Plodgeborough, a town further up and to the east. But if the truth be known, the places and characters that live within these covers, are really in Gary's head. (I'd be worried if I was him). This isn't one of your pamphlet type books, this is what I'd call a quality paper back. Forty comedy monologues, each one superbly illustrated by Gary himself, and covering 165 pages. This book will not look out of place on any table or shelf.
As the title suggests, these are "Fairly Truthful Tales", most are based on his candid observations of human behaviour, and the daft things we all say or do, without realising it. Inside you'll meet the likes of Nan Burke, and the chaos that she caused at the gas board, not to mention the fire brigade. Tim Sykes, who could talk the hind legs off a donkey. Alec Mcgarr and his mate Jimmy Gower, having a bit of bother with their caps. Everybody will know of a Cissie Stobbs, with an 'ouse full o' kids, but maybe not all called Wayne! Have you ever heard of a seagull who's afraid of heights, or a budgie with a wooden leg? Gary has. I tell you, Gary's imagination is at its peak in this book, and his mastery of the "Punch Line" is not to be missed. You'll return to it again and again, each time finding summat else to laugh about. You can get more details from Gary's site, www.garyhogg.com Below is a list of the monologues, all 40 of them!
The flight of Oscar's undies. The Bartholomew family photograph. The day that Tim Sykes packed in talking. The angel down the allotment.
A funny thing happened on the way from the crem. The mystery of the baoting lake mermaid. Dead men don't wear herringbone. Edie's last ride.
When you've had your chips. A job well done. The secret life of Walters mittens. A pale brew yonder. It's no life being dead.
Much ado about tadpoles. Saving for a rainy day. Where seagulls dare. If in doubt say nowt. The things in granda's loft.
Go on Benny, brag about that! Thank Heaven for little gulls. Amazing Gracie. The night we comforted Algernon Pratt. Bravetart.
Hey there, Geordie Gull! The great Amblethwaite cap mystery. Don't go changing. The graveyard shift. The fire in Nan's front room.
The wild look in Gladys' eyes. The answer lies in the soil. Cissie Stobbs and the census man. Owt for a duck? Deaf wish. Norman's bull.
The ninth hole. He was always dead clever, me dad. The Plodgeborough and District volunteer fire brigade. Twelve days.
Joey Ruddick's bad foot. The Bethlehem charabanc trip.
If laughter is the cure for all ills, then this book should be in every doctors waiting room! Stan.