A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

Mark Haddon wrote a wonderful first novel, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and he has written a compelling and delightful followup in A Spot of Bother. A Spot of Bother is the story of George, who at 61 is having a sort of breakdown. George's wife Jean is having her own mid-life adjustment, and having an affair. Daughter Katie is about to marry Ray, a man who is not very well-liked by her family. Son Jamie is having problems with his boyfriend, who is demanding more from him than he feels comfortable giving. A Spot of Bother is a comedy of errors, with the emphasis on comedy.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, with highly sympathetic characters, who often behave like complete jerks. Great fun.