Eleven - by Mark Watson (Paperback)

About the Book

From British comedian Watson comes the story of a related cast of characters around London, connected by a popular late-night radio call-in show host.

Book Synopsis

Xavier Ireland is the assumed name of a radio-show host with a devoted following of listeners riveted by the sleepless loners who call in throughout the night to seek his advice. Off the air, he leads a low-key life of avoiding his neighbors, playing Scrabble, and maintaining an awkward friendship with his cohost, Murray. But his life begins to change when he meets a cleaning lady named Pippa, who becomes a constant, surprisingly necessary presence in his life as he starts facing up to his past and discovering solace and redemption in the most unexpected places. British comedian Mark Watson's North American debut humorously and poignantly explores life and death, strangers and friends, heartache and comfort, and whether the choices we don't make affect us just as powerfully as the ones we do.

Review Quotes

"A seriously good book by a very funny man"--Metro (UK)

"I hugely recommend. Gentle, compassionate, unusual, and thought-provoking. Expected a fun read and got something better." --Chris Cleave, author of "Little Bee"

"Smoothly written, Watson's latest novel proves he has a gift for tender prose and emotive storytelling... an intelligent, witty and heartwarming tale with a significant message -- and his most accomplished book to date"--Time Out (London)

"The ghost of Hugh Grant lurks within the pages of this novel, a pleasing London-set romantic comedy complete with a cast of quirky supporting characters."--The New York Times

"There are eleven good reasons to read this fine, funny, classy book - and those are just three. You'll find the others for yourself..."--Danny Wallace, author of Yes Man

"A moving story with a twist about how our lives touch others in ways we don't even realise. If you loved One Day by David Nicholls, this is for you--and will stay with you long after the last page." --Cosmopolitan (UK)

"A richly comic but intuitive novel. . . both funny and touching."--The Bookseller (UK)

"Funny, sharply observed, and unexpectedly moving... The connections are ingenious and there are some very dark undertones, admirably handled." --The Times (London)

"Brilliantly hilarious and hilariously brilliant."--Stephen Fry