Mr. Chartwell: A Novel Audiobook

" The premise of this book was clever, based on Winston Churchill's metaphor for depression as a big black dog, and the character of Mr. Chartwell well-thought-out and humorous. Unfortunately, it didn't quite fit for me with how depression feels, and for that reason it didn't work for me as a full-length novel. I was unable to finish. "

" Both charming and unsettling, this novel pits manners against mores, depression against chutzpah, in the persona of Mr. Chartwell, the dreadful and comical guest who "dogs" the steps of his landlady in Churchill's Britain. The author blends metaphor, history and fiction with wit and grace. "

" "You are a dark star in the constellation which forms me. And to fight against you is to try and fight the stars in the enternal firmament." so says churchill to black pat, the huge, black dog that exemplifies his depression...and who becomes a temporary lodger of esther, a young widow...a great premise that was fascinating to me but in the end, i was bored. and a little confused. i think hunt does a really good job of personifying depression...i very much identified with black pat/mr. chartwell...and i enjoyed the interplay between him and churchill. i found esther to be a bit underdeveloped. still, worth reading if only for the images...the finely detailed and original rendering of depression. "

" This book is so weird, in the best way possible. The whole idea is crazy, and I didn't think I'd like it that much, to be honest, just because it sounded so out there. But I'm so glad I gave it a try - it totally works! The writing is great, making this weird, impossible stuff somehow seem possible, and making this a very entertaining, surprisingly lighthearted read. "

" The writing is very good and the concept is interesting, but handled in a way that doesn't quite fit. A little too mild, perhaps, without much tension. The absurdity of the giant, invisible dog following Esther around (though I recognize the metaphor) becomes a bit too ridiculous at times for even me to willingly suspend my disbelief. Mr. Chartwell is an interesting analogous essay on an elusive, human experience, but it is not that compelling of a novel. "

" So, what WAS the point of this book??? It was really pretty silly and did virtually nothing to captive me but I hate putting a book down half read and am even less inclined to do it if the book is on CD therefore part of my driving day... The character - Esther was meek and unremarkable... half the point, I imagine, and her friends Beth and Big Oliver utterly annoying - especially Beth. Her new colleague and friend, Mr. Corkbowl, has what must be one of THE most unappealing and awfully drab names in fiction ever! Yes... I do understand that the demon in all this is depression and how insidious and consuming it can become... and I do understand its powerful hold on people and their lives but I do not think it was well portrayed or conveyed... (As a dog owner, I found myself wanting to scratch Mr. Chartwell's tummy or rub him with my bare foot as he lay on the floor by my chair... yes, he was annoying at times but I never felt HE was the bad guy in the story... )... so the story wound up and I was not much the wiser for Esther's future... would she manage to conquer the inner demons of her depression? Or, like Winston, would the end of her story simply be the day she died??? As, I assume but have not checked, was 27 July 1964. Will have to do that. 'Check', that is. In the meantime, I don't think I will be tempted to read anything else this author writes. She's not a very good writer in my view. But, she did get a book written, which is a lot more than can be said for most of us! ... Well, Sir Winston did not die on 27, July 1964 but 24, January, 1965... So, I'm not sure why the book suggested that Winston & Mr. Chartwell's relationship would end on the former date, but that is the impression I got! Anyway, fin! "

" This is one I need to process a bit. It's odd, so having just completed it, I haven't decided what to think. I wouldn't be surprised if I look back on it in a few weeks and wonder why I didn't choose four stars instead of three. "

" It was a solid book, and an interesting portrayal of depression, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. "

" While this wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, this was an interesting look at how depression afflicts people and affects those around them. A worthwhile read. "

" Sadly disappointed with this book, which I had been looking forward to reading for ages. It is more a novella than a novel, and I think would have been far more effective as a short story. A great idea but unnecessarily rambling and in parts inaccessible. "

" I don't even know how to describe this book, but I liked it. I especially liked Mr. Corkbowl. "

" Not bad - not highly recommended. "

" I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Again wishing there were 1/2 stars, but worth at least another 1/2 for originality, hence 4 *. "

" For a reader who can suspend belief in "what is real" for the course of the novel, this is a great insight into not only Winston Churchill (fictionalized), but of the power of the mind. "

" The best book I've read in a decade. "

" I really enjoyed the characters and how the story unfolds. I am afraid to say too much or it might ruin it! "

" Not for everyone, but I loved it. Witty, sadly charming, strange, but sweet. Mr. Chartwell is a huge black dog who personifies (literally)...well, read and find out. "

" Bizarre. Clever, creative, occasionally poetic. Depicts a compelling and appropriately offputting metaphor of...well, I won't let the cat out of the bag. I did quite adore Churchill. "

" I'm on the fence about this book. It was well-written and I liked the two storylines and how they blended together. The concept of the book was strange though. "

" Very original idea! gives a good idea of what depression feels like. loved the churchill angle. "

" Audio book. Amazing & original presentation of the personification of depression as a huge black talking dog, in reference to Churchill's own depressive side which he apparently referred to as a "black dog". Made me laugh & made me cry "

" A strange, strange book. I don't know quite how to describe it. "

" Fascinating, uniquely imaginative, and oddly entertaining! One of those books that is hard to put down, and will stay with you for quite some time after reading. "