The Understudy

A comic masterpiece by the author of ONE DAY

David Nicholls author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton

Published:21st Sep '06

Should be back in stock very soon

The Understudy cover

A comedy masterpiece from the bestselling author of ONE DAY and STARTER FOR TEN.

A scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love.
The second novel by beloved bestselling author David Nicholls.

***Out now: David Nicholls's new novel YOU ARE HERE***
A COMIC MASTERPIECE BY BELOVED BESTSELLER DAVID NICHOLLS
A scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love
'Irresistible'
DAILY MAIL

'Wonderfully chaotic'
THE TIMES

'Delightful'
OBSERVER

'Brilliant'
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

'Funniest book of the year'
MARIE CLAIRE

For Josh Harper, being in show-business means everything he ever wanted: money, fame, a beautiful wife and a lead role on the London stage.

For Stephen C. McQueen, it means being stuck with an unfortunate name, a hopeless agent and a job as understudy to Josh Harper, the 12th Sexiest Man in the World.

When Stephen falls in love with Josh's clever, funny wife, Nora, things get even more difficult. But might there yet be a way for Stephen to get his big break?


ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST ACCLAIMED WRITERS
'One of the most astute chroniclers of England as it is now'
FINANCIAL TIMES

'An uncanny ability to make us laugh out loud, but also care passionately about his characters'
DAILY TELEGRAPH

'Nicholls writes with such tender precision about love'
THE TIMES

'No one else writes novels that are both relatable and revelatory in the way he does'
EVENING STANDARD

'Genuinely brilliant'
NEW STATESMAN

Sharply funny . . . wonderfully chaotic * The Times *
The set pieces of social embarrassment are neatly threaded together, and there are some well-crafted tender moments too . . . It could hold its own against a Richard Curtis script * Independent on Sunday *
This bitterly funny book is a delightful reminder of how much acting we all do in the name of love * Observer *
Highly enjoyable . . . both knowing and charming * Mirror *
A zippy comedy with laugh-out-loud lines, grounded on a solid plot and first-rate dialogue . . . irresistible * Daily Mail *
An entertaining follow-up to Nicholls' brilliant debut * Heat *
A funky, less-fluffy-than-funny rom com * Metro *
I adored The Understudy. It's a fantastic comedy . . . delightfully written * New Woman *
Darkly funny and oddly romantic * More *
An unusual mix of cynicism and romance - no slush, just lots of laughs! * Company *
Hugely entertaining with a high ratio of chuckles and snorts per chapter * Good Book Guide *
Deeply funny, with brilliant dialogue * Good Housekeeping *
Sweet and funny * Eve *
Funniest book of the year * Marie Claire *
Jaunty, big-hearted . . . Romantic comedy with a charming British accent * Kirkus *
Brilliantly written and very funny * Closer *
The humour is authentic and perfectly pitched * Waitrose Weekend *

ISBN: 9780340935217

Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 30mm

Weight: 290g

416 pages