Item: Don't Point That Thing at Me
Rating: 4.00
Author: clq

by Kyril Bonfiglioli

Don't Point That Thing At Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli - Book 1 of the Mortdecai Trilogy, now a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp

Introducing the Hon. Charlie Mortdecai, art dealer, aristocrat and assassin, in the first of the Mortdecai novels

Portly art dealer and seasoned epicurean Charlie Mortdecai comes into possesion of a stolen Goya, the disappearance of which is causing a diplomatic ruction between Spain and its allies. Not that that matters to Charlie ... until compromising pictures of some British diplomats also come into his possession and start to muddy the waters. All he's trying to do is make a dishonest living, but various governments, secret organizations and an unbelievably nubile young German don't see it that way and pretty soon he's in great need of his thuggish manservant Jock to keep them all at bay ... and the Goya safe.

First published in the 1970s, this hilarious novel is part Ian Fleming part P G Wodehouse. It is now a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp as Mortdecai, Ewan McGregor as Jock and Gwyneth Paltrow.

'A rare mixture of wit and imaginative unpleasantness' Julian Barnes

'You couldn't snuggle under the duvet with anything more disreputable and delightful' Stephen Fry

'The jokes are excellent, but the most horrible things keep happening... Funny and chilling' Sunday Telegraph

Kyril Bonfiglioli was born on the south coast of England in 1928 of an English mother and Italo-Slovene father. After studying at Oxford and five years in the army, he took up a career as an art dealer, like his eccentric creation Charlie Mortdecai. He lived in Oxford, Lancashire, Ireland and Jersey, where he died in 1985. He wrote four Charlie Mortdecai novels, and a fifth historical Mortdecai novel (about a distinguished ancestor).

I have no idea how this book made it onto my to-read list, but it did. And, as I found it to be quite enjoyable, I'm happy it did.
Don't Point that Thing at Me is the first of three instalments making up the diary of Mr. Mortdecai, a dodgy art dealer. As a consequence of his dodgy art dealings he runs into quite a bit of trouble, or rather, it runs into him. The story itself is rather silly, probably deliberately so, but I felt that it crossed the line into becoming just a little too silly. The strength of the book is the irreverent one liners, along with the brilliant descriptions of objects, places, characters and moods. It's easy, and at least somewhat justified, to compare the style of the book to Wodehouse (especially since Jeeves and Wooster are liberally referred to throughout the book). Though, unlike the funny complexities and intrigues that make up stories by Wodehouse, the story in this book seemed to be used primarily as a device for putting the characters into certain situations. This is a pity, as the brilliance of the writing could otherwise have made for an exceptional read, rather than just a good one. Still, it was a fun ride. And, as it is the first book in a trilogy, perhaps the other two books will give me some of the twists and turns this didn't.

Don't Point That Thing at Me (Charlie Mortdecai) (Charlie Mortdecai Mysteries)

by Kyril Bonfiglioli

Reviewed by clq on Jun 4, 2013

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