Philip Serrell

[This is a review I wrote in 2007]

**Laughter warning! Proceed with caution!!**

Tales from a country auctioneer, Philip Serrell. You may recognise him from "Bargain Hunt", "Flog it", or the "Twentieth Century Roadshow". He's been in the auctioneering business for the last 30 odd years and knows the Hereford/Worcester area... well, maybe not as well as he should considering the number of time he seems to have "got lost" in his travels!

He has the same literary style as James Herriot (the "Shouldn't Happen to a Vet" books). Just alter the focus from veterinary to antiques and the content is just as engaging, and in places, hilarious! The book is autobiographical, but although obviously based on actual events, I'm sure some of the names, places, and events have been changed slightly. I was a bit bored in the first few chapters, where the tales are about how Philip got started in the business beginning with livestock sales. However, when the focus turned to antiques I was hooked!

Philip's obvious love for his trade, and his endearing portrayal of human nature in all its' richness and variety, make this an uncomplicated and compulsive read. Enjoy!… (mais)

The account of mistakes made and people encountered, by the author as a trainee auctioneer, back in the late 1970s.

There is the potential for an amusing book, but I found the writing a bit stilted, with too much description and introspection. The final paragraphs, giving a punch-line or twist to the chapter, were predictable by the time I reached them.

The author comes across as a likeable person, and it was interesting from the social history point of view. But most of the other folk are caricatured (I assume deliberately so) and I was increasingly puzzled as to why anyone would follow this career.

Not a bad book to dip into, as it's gentle and light, but I'm unlikely to read it again.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/07/sold-to-man-with-tin-leg-by-philip....… (mais)