The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax cover art

The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax

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The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax

By: Christopher Shevlin
Narrated by: Finlay Robertson
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About this listen

When Jonathon Fairfax accidentally helps a murderer bump off Sarah Morecambe, the secretary of a senior politician, he sets off a chain of events that astonishes him. Jonathon is wrong-footed by even the most everyday things, so he's particularly startled to find himself caught up in a conspiracy that goes right to the heart of government. Teaming up with a suave private investigator, a glamorous granny and the probable love of his life, Jonathon must confront his greatest fears - including talking to girls and balaclava-clad killers - and answer some very difficult questions. Who murdered Sarah Morecambe? What is the strange secret that unites the entire British government? And what exactly does it feel like to kiss a real-life woman?

With its naïve, reluctant hero and wry look at life, The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax has been compared to books by Douglas Adams, Carl Hiaasen and PG Wodehouse.

©2019 Christopher Shevlin (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Literature & Fiction Government

Critic Reviews

"You can't help being tickled." (The Guardian)

"Not many books make me laugh out loud, but The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax is one of them...A comic gem." (Stylist magazine)

"Shevlin was rightly picked up by the literary agency that represents the likes of David Nicholls." (Metro)
All stars
Most relevant
I thought this was going to be a really fun read. It certainly begins well, even rising to laugh-out-loud funny at times. By about chapter 45
I was yawning and screaming silently to myself "oh, get on with it!". I don't know how it ends.

Starts off at a cracking pace. It doesn't last.

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I loved it, very british. It's one of my favorite books I have listened to twice

astonishingly good

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This book is so entertaining! So witty and adorable with good storyline. I loved it.

Very funny

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absolutely brilliant narration.
this story made me laugh out loud and had me captivated the whole way through.
amazing for a free book.
sad it ended

totally unexpected

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Really enjoyable tale with relatable characters, excellent humour and room for interpretation. Satisfying without tying up every possible loose end. Thoroughly enjoyable

Lots of fun, with dark laughs

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I gave this title a really good go and tried my best over a couple of hours to get into it but it just never happened for me unfortunately. I found it really difficult to engage with the characters.

Not for me

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Brilliant start but got very tedious, and not much seemed to be happening. Gave up.

Could not finish

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