Suki Chen never thought she’d hug a tiger, until she discovers the Bar at the End of the Universe, where anything is possible, even love.
Number sixGood for relationships—And then escape makes perfect sense.
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comedy, noir, optimistic, plot, suspense, twist
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Dude, I'm concerned that your central heating system might be giving off fumes, because this is a VERY odd read! I've reached the end of chapter 5 and feel like I've just woken up from a strange, nonsenscial dream, brought on by running a high fever. Up until chapter three I wasn't sure there was any kind of a plot, plan or direction for this story, but I'm finally getting the sense that, underneath the zany-ness, the multi-directional crossfire of dialogue and and the relentless pacing, there is actually a very good, fun and energetic story.Some might find the abstract nature and the topic-hopping a turn-off. I like zany offbeat stories, but this was a bit too weird even for me. That said, there is something addictive about it, so for this reason I'm keeping it on my watch list. It also gets 4 stars from me.Aside from the, execessive, use, of, commas, and the fact that I (for the most part) have no idea what is going on, nor what is going to happen next, I have enjoyed reading it so far. Your style is pretty unique. I wish you all the best with it.
Hi Ian Thanks for your message - I have read the first three chapters and I really enjoyed what I read so far. Your writing style is fluent, sli ck and well paced as is the plot development. I thought your characters were well written and their realtionships effectively potrayed. Overall this is a great piece and I wish you good luck. I have starred this and put it on my watchlist Steph
Hi Ian, I have backed your book after reading the first five chapters. Your writing reminds me of Douglas Adams or Jasper Fforde. For some reason it reminds me of the Red Dwarf series. Zany characters, wierd situations, crazy fun and you never know what is going to happen next. Very enjoyable
TIGER HUGSI’ll be honest, I have no idea what’s going on in this story—but I like it. Humor is always a hard one to critique because, well, you can’t take the story or the prose too seriously. What I really like about your prose is that it moves quickly and it’s very catchy.You introduce a lot of characters right at the beginning, but for the most part I can distinguish their voices well (not that I’m expecting really deep character development). This is fun and light-hearted.Good luck as you advance through the ranks!Sarah E.S.
I couldn't have put it better myself. William Conelly:
This work is peppered with dialogue, often skewed one liners, often stand alone funny. As there's very little 'set-up' style descriptive writing, the net effect is continuous, racing and rapid fire, making for a mad exposition of the plot hook: a mechanized extortionist threatens a pub owner/manager with ruin by bulldozer. Pay up or get dozing or, wait, there's a third option: jump to the 4th dimension!!
Hi Ian,I just read the first three chapters of your book, and I have to agree with the others, it does remind me of Douglas Adams, but that's a good thing since most agents and publishers ask for books already published that are similar. Your dialog is very smooth and I like all of the characters. Well done.Alex
IanThis is one of the more unique works on authonomy. It has a very distinctive voice and you certainly have a style of writing that stands out. You introduce a lot of characters early on, but I feel this keeps the reader on their toes and each character is easy to distinguish from the next. Bamber sounds like a right villain, and I think you have set up an opening rich with intrigue. You give enough information to let the reader know what kind of person he is, but hold enough back to keep them wanting to know more.My shelf is full at the minute, but this definitely deserves a space on it, so I will give it some shelf space soon.RegardsMarc
Ian - you have a great sense of humour and a real knack for characterisation. I only had time to read the first chapter tonight, but it provided me with lots of chuckles. I shall certainly read on and I will back this in a couple of weeks when I rotate my shelf. (I like to try and give good books a decent amount of shelf-time.) If I forget - don't hesitate to give me a gentle nudge.Lilian
Ian, I can't understand what's going on here. I've read for almost 15 minutes and am still in a fog. Is it too British for this American?
I like your style - it's almost sonnet form (I can't remember my poetry metres and terms, it's been too long since I studied). It works for me. Am putting on my watch list to read more. It's refreshing and different and vivid so far...
Ian,I happened across you when I saw someone else comment on a resemblance to dearly departed Douglas Adams. This isn't The Guide, nor should it be. This is distinctive and different again, an individual voice.Great accents that I can feel coming from your characters.Lovely disconnected story lines and conversations.All terrific.Best wishesWarrick
I read through the first two chapters and I have to say you have a very unusual style. It is quirky and original and most importantly, it works. I think you have the beginnings of a great book here. It is not my usual kind of read but I enjoyed it. I wish I had the gift for detail that you do. Your imagery is fantastic and your dialogue feels smooth and natural. All in all it was a great read. Thanks so much. I can see why this has reached the top of the charts. I will give this one high stars.
I was sick as a parrot over this one
There are a lot of Cliches` here and it is hard to follow so far. There doesn't seem to be a lot happening unless there is something that opens up the story later on. Was there something I missed? I'm going to stop here and maybe come back after I read several other books I have on my list.
Glad you said that, I'll go and check.
Those UK English commas again
It's a cracking read so far, great sense of humour. Apart from the fact you're completely obsessed with commas, I'm going to whack it on my shelf none the less :). Best of luck.HW
Hello my friend,It's a cracking read so far, great sense of humour. Apart from the fact you're completely obsessed with commas, I'm going to whack it on my shelf none the less :). Best of luck.HW
Very interesting book which deserves high stars. On my watch list now.
Hi Ian. The more I read the more I like it. I enjoy the group and can picture what they look like in my mind. Love where it is going and have full intention to reading this completely over the period of a few weeks. Love it so far.This would make a great screen play I think. I shall be placing it on my Bookshelf until it is at least completed. If I do come across anything I dont like I shall let you know. Christian
I`ve put `Tiger Hugs` on my bookshelf. All the best.
Really enjoyed the writing style, easy and approachable, great fun!
Well, it does say, "Confusion reigns"
Hey!I read the first few chapters, and I must admit, your book is very quirky! The characters are all so likeable. The plot, though quite confusing in the beginning, gets clearer as you read on.This may be something to look at again because for some readers, a confusing plot may be a turn-off for them. The other thing I noticed was in the first chapter, you repeat Suki's name a lot. Maybe exchange a couple of them for personal pronouns? However, this is a very unique book and one I shall be watching to come and read some more!Good luck!
This is so unusual I want to read more. Rather fast-paced, I wonder why Jules keeps wondering what is meant by the things that are said. I guess I'll just have to keep reading to find out. Quirky. I have never read quirky, but I like it!~Bethanie
An interesting start, so I`ll read on. I`m putting it on my watchlist. All the best.
I was gripped from chapter 2, love the premise and the likable characters who are funny in the right places, I am officially hooked... only reached chapt 6, I'm really enjoying the Jules and crews journey so far. This is a 6 star rating. Keen to finish this story to give a much detailed comment. All the best!
This is a very unique novel, and the characters are certainly larger than life! After reading the first chapters, the plot is becoming clearer, although it was quite confusing to read at times. A very quirky read which i can imagine working very well as a commedy performance. I sincerely wish you the best of luck with this. Amy :)
Done :->
Hi IanYou have a nice lively style of writing and way of describing things, but I have to admit that I too found this first chapter a bit confusing with so many characters introduced so quickly and often talking at cross purposes. A little mystery is good but the reader needs to have a decent idea of whats going on to propel them onto later chapters.Now feel free to give 'Conspiracy' a critical mauling!Tom
When I first started reading this, I was confused. And that confusion didn't quickly let up. But by chapter 3 I was laughing, finally in on the joke! Jules Jewell is suddenly overtaken and bombarded with chaotic characters and all the craziness they bring to the table (or bar)--and so is the reader since this is all from his POV. When Jules started to figure things out, so does the reader. Interesting read.Eden Ashley-THE SIREN'S HEART
Backed Tiger Hugs. Laugh out loud funny in places. Read, liked, star rated, and backed. Hope you will take a look at my friend CC Brown's book, Dark Side.Rog50
Hi IanRead the first four chapters there. Love the punchy writing style. What quirky, oddball characters! They are very well-captured through the dialogue. I think there is also quite a strong visual element, and I can picture it as a movie. Overall, probably not the kind of book I'd usually go out and buy myself, but I can think of a few people I know that it would appeal to. I've got some room on my bookshelf and I'll add it on, as I think it deserves backing. Best of luck with it.Eloise (The Two Mages)
I see you've changed a couple things in the first chapter of your book. For me it's made the story much more enjoyable from the very start so I've given you five stars. I can tell you really care about this story. I've read several chapters more and they really are quite good. Sometimes just reading a little longer makes a great deal of difference.
this book is clever and flows well...j
Ian,This is an excellent read. To be frank, I don’t have much to say about it. I just kept reading, and I liked the characters. I do think it might benefit from some further polishing (e.g. next door is mentioned twice on the first page). Also, I wasn’t sure where it was going for a while – possibly a hint or two earlier would be good. But don’t take too much notice of me, I’m unpublished! I wish you luck with this, it’s good. Backed and highly rated with pleasure.Rheagan Greene - Bitter Truths (Vol. 1)
Hi Ian'Just read first three chapters of Tiger Hugs, and after sticking with the first two in some bewilderment, found that interest really took off in the third. Sure have a wild imagination and I'll be following it into its further reaches. As you have seen fit to have me as one of your 'friends' despite our very different styles, and were the first to welcome me on my first posting on Authonomy last week, I wonder whether you've taken a look at 'The Time of His Life'. As there are zero comments at present, would be pleased if you could see your way to starting the ball rolling.Stuart
Done, ta!
Enjoyed the sheer pace of this, and the characters no crazier than I remember from years living in Hackney (Haggerston has two 'g's, if this is also the real place). Quite experimental in its rapid switching of characters ad locations.
Fast, quirky, funny. I had to re-read some of the dialogue...but I think that is more about me (and reading on a PC) than your writing. Not the sort of thing that I usually read, but I'll be reading more...just because it's so, well, different! Love the humour - don't hold back with it in future writing!
The characters are introduced so quickly and it left me baffled, there wasn't room for a breather. I also had to re-read the first paragraph once or twice before skipping onto the next. I didn't like the explaining of emotions. The first time wasn't bad, but I feel it shouldn't happen often. The dialog is weighed down. Broken up by various actions and tags. It does have a movie-like quality, but I don't think that is a good thing. Let the reader imagine some things and it could work out better and allow the reader to become more engaged.There is also quite a bit of dialog, possibly too much.
Some you win some you lose. Sorry about the breather. If you want a breather- wrong novel. However, there are plenty on authonomy that do provide a breather. Also, I don't know what you mean by emotions. The only emotion is fear, and that's never explained. I can't do anything if you don't provide specific instances where the "dialog weighed" or there was "too much". It's a bit like saying there's too much water in the Thames.- Ian
I too would like to have a real tiger in there somewhere – I just like tigers :-)All the best with it
The tiger is coming ...
I've only read most of the way through chapter one and skimmed the rest of it. I like the idea of this story and some potential for humor really shines through. The characters sparkles. I like the repetition of "the only one who knew why..."The dialog rings true. How you start with the thought about Jane Austen and end with it is good. It creates a nice loop. What I didn't like: The characters are introduced so quickly and it left me baffled, there wasn't room for a breather. I also had to re-read the first paragraph once or twice before skipping onto the next. I didn't like the explaining of emotions. The first time wasn't bad, but I feel it shouldn't happen often. The dialog is weighed down. Broken up by various actions and tags. It does have a movie-like quality, but I don't think that is a good thing. Let the reader imagine some things and it could work out better and allow the reader to become more engaged.There is also quite a bit of dialog, possibly too much.
Certainly bursts off the page from paragraph one! The pace is fine and the dialogue excellent I feel a lot of the comments regarding the dialogue and confusion may come partly from reading on-line. It is not a good medium and this kind of work would be easier to read hard copy – at least for me. That is not a critism of writing style as this is a work that sets out quite deliberately to confront the reader and give the impression of a narrow stream of consciousness POV, just that a computer screen is not the best medium to read it. The work is original, funny and worthy of at least 5 stars. I too would like to have a real tiger in there somewhere – I just like tigers :-)All the best with it On a different matter from Authonomy, I am putting together a sit com pitch – maybe you would be interested in collaborating as dialogue is not my strongest point. Drop me an email to Marfleet@hotmail.com if you would like a copy of the brief.AndrewA Fatal Misuse of TimeShort pitch: Ever tried waking up yesterday instead of tomorrow? That is just the beginning of Tristan's troubles as his life is hijacked to reveal the future.
Just read chapter 4 Tiger Bites Back, this chapter flows at the same speed as the first 3 Iam kinda hooked but eyes r so tired. Love the story so far, and like your writing style you know how to engage the reader.
I rated five stars, not sure why this book only has an average of four. The pace was so frantic and the read so enjoyable that I didn't take time to write down any "speed bumps" I noticed. And, I only noticed a few, far less than any book I've read thus far (I'm new to the site). I've put it on my watch list and it will go on my bookshelf if the remaining chapters are as good as the first two.
I read your first chapter.General comments: An engrossing start. A wonderful ensemble of entertaining, quirky characters. Effective descriptions. A vivid sense of place. Intriguing tension. Swift pacing.
Ta!
I read your first chapter.General comments: An engrossing start. A wonderful ensemble of entertaining, quirky characters. Effective descriptions. A vivid sense of place. Intriguing tension. Swift pacing.Specific comments on the first chapter:1) 'His partner-in-crime' is cliche. Consider writing a more unique characterization of Jules' 'partner.'2) 'He felt a sudden surge of warmth.' Try to avoid using the word 'felt.' Just describe the onset of the warmth so vividly the reader will experience it along with Jules. When you do this, the reader will be pulled deeper into the scene.3) "Where??" Remove one of the two question marks. Using two question marks is unusual and pulls the reader out of your story while they try to determine what you mean to imply with two question marks. You don't want that.4) 'The man jerked as though he'd been bitten by a venomous snake' is cliche. Try to come up with a fresher similie.I hope these comments help you further polish your all important first chapter. These are just my opinions. Use what works for you and discard the rest.Would you please take a look at "Savannah Oak" and let me know what you think of it?Have a marvelous day.Al