We’re not here to talk about a book today. We’re going to focus on one author and his works.
A name we all familiarise with comedy but those who have delved into this works will certainly see him as an author first.
Julian Clary often refers to himself as a camp comic and renowned homo-sexual, which he is. He’ll make you laugh on screen and on paper. We could write another article about our love for his TV work but as we said, we’re going to just talk about his writing or we’ll be here for another 20 pages.
Clary has so far treated his fans to an autobiography, 3 fiction and 2 children’s books. We’re mainly going to focus on the fiction if you don’t mind? But keep with us until the end as we’re sure to mention the other 3 books at the end!
Murder Most Fab | 2008
His debut novel – and one hell of a debut if you’ll excuse our language.
It circles around one beautiful man’s ascent into fame and the heavy baggage that comes with it. Everyone has the odd skeleton in their closet. But amongst Johnny’s closet of fine silks and designer clothing are far too many bodies for the public eye to deem acceptable.
Though it is a classic crime novel, it’s quite believable… Julian has a unique way of making anything sound realistic. We’re all routing for JD despite his very questionable actions and begin to wonder if we even blame him at all? Are we also criminals for understanding, or is he just so compelling a character that we don’t care what he does? Can he keep the spotlight covering his past with a velvet curtain or will it all come bursting out? There’s a revelation near the end that will make you spit out your tea and have you re-evaluate your life for a good few hours. That was a shocker, and we don’t say that often. It’s an on-going thing in Julian’s books. We still haven’t guessed one yet!
Johnny is joined by a string of lovers, all different in age, looks and number of liver spots. As well as his relationships with lovers, we’re introduced to the fantastically wicked Catherine. There’s demise, drugs and devilish good looks, which leads us appropriately to the next book…
Devil in Disguise | 2010
It’s a fabulous read, we highly suggest wearing your best garments, accompanied with a glass of chardonnay, whilst reading. It oozes with old fashioned movie star glamour – the odour positively pouring off the pages thanks to the old dear we’re introduced to, who nurses the heartbroken Molly as well as teaching her the tricks of the trade. There’s not so much romance, more desperation. Murder most fab wasn’t for the weak-hearted and neither is this.
Fab left little to the imagination with the sexual scenes, this focused on other things – I mean, it wouldn’t be a Julian Clary novel without some very naughty scenes, let’s face it. But we saw inside addictions and temptation rather than between someone’s legs. Be it a person, drink or life – it put a dark side to the evil thoughts that everyone shakes off. These characters don’t let these go, they let them bloom and grow.
Molly, the main character, is far more relatable to the punters than previous ones. Our heart really does bleed for the poor girl at times. However, her best friend, Simon has some redeeming to do, not just to his friends but to his liver. Overall it’s a devilishly clever fiction book that keeps you guessing until the end. Clary is brilliant, and those shock endings! Oh he is bad...
Briefs Encountered | 2013
Take a seat because this one will shock you to the core. Different to his previous, relatively present books, this novel switches from different eras. It has Noel Coward written all over it, and we’re not talking about the writing style alone; he is one of the stars of the book.
It focuses on one house and those that roam the corridors – one of them being Noel Coward. The newest occupant is Richard, who lives in real time and reminds us strongly of a modern Dorian Grey.
It’s as if The Shining was written by Coward– Jack is a raging homosexual, Mary is an insane obsessive assistant and the hotel is the house.
The book is fantastically witty, haunted by ghosts and delves into real matters – e.g. Noel Coward was a gay man when it wasn’t deemed acceptable, let alone legal, to be yourself. It’s a roller-coaster of emotions – sad, joyous, hilarious, romantic and (at times) utterly camp. There’s a theme for everyone. We loved the nods towards the employees’ backstories and the cameos from celebrities such as Paul O’ Grady and even Julian himself as the shady owner of the house before Richard. He portrays himself as a stuck up has been, one thing this book certainly proved to not be true. Julian has only gone and done it again!
We couldn’t recommend Julian’s works enough. It’s such a rarity to find dry wit in new books and Clary has treated us to the mother lode.
But he’s also appealed to the youngsters with his children’s books about a pack of Hyenas trying, and sometimes failing to lead, normal human lives. There’s also his first book, which is an autobiography. Let’s just say, Julian never does leave too much to the imagination, it’s not something you would read to your mum but you will be up until early hours reading it yourself. It is brutally honest and just fantastic. You won’t regret a single page.
Overall, Julian Clary’s books are not books for fans, they’re books for readers.
You can purchase all of Julian's works, HERE!
Thank you to Tess, from Penguin Random House, for sending us review copies of Julian's books.
Written By Chantelle Wadsworth.
