The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce Audiobook (Unabridged)

" This is the most depressing book I read in 2012, but this does mean that its' portrayal of a man's descent into alcoholism and self-destruction with the loss of all that he holds dear and ultimately his life is very convincing. It's frightening in a way as it's insidious, at least for him, but he has a hefty dose of self-denial to help him along. This is a great book in the way that watching a building collapse in an earthquake is fascinating, but for Christ's sake don't make it the last thing you read before turning off the lights. "

" Very sad but ending disappointing. "

" Quite a sad, depressing story, but a good read none the less. Written backwards in four 'vintages', the end (which is actually the beginning) is heartbreaking in it's optimism, knowing, as we do, the real ending. "

" A really great and thoughtprovoking book that is somber but also funny, about a man who drinking himself to death. It starts at the end of his life and moves backwards. Really makes me want to read the other books by this author. . . highly recommended! "

" Depressing - think Leaving Las Vegas with wine and with a less likeable character. "

" Thoroughly depressing and pathetic story of a very weak man. "

" kind of a wimpy, sad read (especially when compared to Salmon Fishing). basically traces a failed life, filled with regret, in kind of an indulgent way. "

" 3n1/2 stars tbh. very interesting story but unnerving..... Interesting 'backt to front' story telling technique. "

" Better than some of Torday's previous stuff. The format was interesting - the book was written in 4 parts, each one 2 years earlier so you read the end first. A bit depressing though and it made me look at my glass of wine in a different light. "

" I picked this title as I had read Torday's Salmon Fishing in the Yemen which I had thoroughly enjoyed. It was a good read- touching on alcoholism and self destruction.I would recommend this book to people but be warned it is more darker than Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. "

" Never has alcoholism been so thoughtfully explored with dry humor and subtlety, in a novel form. Tons of memoirs and self help book, of which this is neither, unless you want it to be. It provokes deep thought, especially when you know those trapped in their own struggle. "

" Well written and compelling. The narrator is a true anti-hero -- brilliant, unlikable and egocentric. But there are bits of Wilberforce in all of us and it's impossible to look away as his story unfolds. "

" Darker than Torday's first book, and whilst his style is light and readable, particularly dealing with such issues of death by alcohol, for me it's not quite as successful as Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. "

" Enjoyable read. Odd structure as the book is told over 4 different years but in reverse order. "I began to imagine that my life was itself like an insoluble equation, and there was an 'x' in the middle of the equation that I had to understand and could not quantify." "

" Absolutely tragic story of an alcoholic, many layers to this novel, also very funny, love Paul Torday's writing style. Long live the Undercroft! "

" Made it about half way through, after which the somber mood and slow story line got the better of me and I gave up. "

" Absolutely brilliant, one of my all time fave's! "

" I must agree with the other reviewers: this book is not as good as Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. That is to say the least. There is no twist. The main character is two-dimensional. Very disappointing from such a promising author. "

" Argh! What an annoying little story. So hopeless! I can't in good conscience recommend anyone read this. I know it's recommended for book clubs, but seriously, I'd rather read something a little less depressing. "

" Beautiful prose but I found Wilberforce had few redeeming qualities. Slogging through a book about an alcoholic wine connoisseur was not my idea of fun, I'm afraid. Brilliant writing but a rather dull plot. "

" Tried to like it but yuck... "

" A most interesting read about a sad kind of man who was looking for happiness, but although he found it, he lost it through alcoholism. For re-release soon... "

" Miserable but captivating. Excellent prose and bags of mood. Dropped a star for the structure which, whilst unusual, left the final section feeling a little redundant. Will read more of Torday's. "

" Never has alcoholism been so thoughtfully explored with dry humor and subtlety, in a novel form. Tons of memoirs and self help book, of which this is neither, unless you want it to be. It provokes deep thought, especially when you know those trapped in their own struggle. "

" Not as good as other one stopped half way "