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  • History

  • The hilarious, unmissable novel from the brilliant Miles Jupp
  • By: Miles Jupp
  • Narrated by: Miles Jupp
  • Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
  • 3.8 out of 5 stars (401 ratings)

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History

By: Miles Jupp
Narrated by: Miles Jupp
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Summary

The brilliant debut novel from acclaimed comedian, writer and presenter Miles Jupp.

Clive Hapgood is feeling stuck. The private school he teaches at is consuming his life, no thanks to wretched headteacher Julian Crouch. The gentle country life Clive envisaged has stifled him and left his marriage on the brink. What he needs is a holiday - something to remind him and Helen what life used to be like. But when things don't go to plan, and an incident at school begins to weigh heavy on his head, Clive's life starts to unravel in front of him. Has he got it in him to turn things around, whatever the cost? After all, it's his own time he's wasting.... 

For fans of Jonathan Coe, Mark Watson, Michael Frayn and David Nicholls.

©2021 Miles Jupp (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic reviews

"The funniest man in Britain has written a wonderful novel. Rejoice!" (Richard Osman)

What listeners say about History

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Disappointed

I persevered. I'm a fan of Miles Jupp, but this was a tiresome story, and by the denouement, I had given up. The book ended with not so much a bang, or a fizzle, but a whimper. Seven hours of tedium, which got going in the last 5 minutes. No empathy or sympathy for the protagonists

10 people found this helpful

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Loved it.

A very funny and moving story about a public school, a marriage, and a bang on the head.

8 people found this helpful

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History?

A dismal and depressing storyline. As a prospective teacher I would not be inspired by this picture of school life in either the private or state sector. I wonder where the author acquired his experience of teaching.

6 people found this helpful

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fibber in the school

Aspects of ths book were good -the narration and some of the comedic scenes. However, the main character was annoying such that i found it difficult to care about him and I found the other characters lacking in depth or believability Worth a listen but not ss good as his autobiographical Fibber in the Heat as this book seemed to me Jupp attempt to get revenge againat his own privleged schooling.

5 people found this helpful

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Classic history tale ~ not of The Tudors

Not of The Tudors but of an overworked luckless teacher, trying too hard to please in every level of his life. I liked him immediately because Miles gave him character and I so wanted him to succeed. Narration was funny, empathetic, professionally read ~ I wanted to keep listening and listening.

3 people found this helpful

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Disappointing

I’m a fan of Miles Jupp but found this book disappointingly dull and predictable. I kept on hoping our hero would turn out to be more interesting than he first appears but no, he stayed self-absorbed and a bit silly throughout, and his over-reactions to trivial problems were just over-reactions, not interesting, insightful or humorous, just annoying. Jupp doesn’t have to be funny just because he’s a comedian, but I’m not sure his novel needs to be so thoroughly downbeat and depressing.

3 people found this helpful

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ok, but too much detail.

struggled to finish. I love Miles but this was a book I would have put down. just too many words to describe situations. in this case less is more. sadly won't be purchasing further audibles by him.

2 people found this helpful

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Not very much happens

Some nice humorous bits but it’s a bit rubbish to be honest and nothing really happens

2 people found this helpful

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Dull plot with far from hilarious novel

This book had few, if any redeeming features. Yes, there were a couple of comedic scenes but, otherwise, the main character was miserable and spineless and the plot was dull ... in the extreme. The middle section, a holiday in France, served no point whatsoever and didn't move on or contribute to the storyline. I couldn't work out whether the point of the character was that he hated himself and his mundane suburban lifestyle, teaching in a stereotypical minor public school, or the effort of teaching in general. Perhaps he hated all of it. How very sad! The narration was equally dull, with the voice dipping so low at times so as to be almost unintelligible. This novel is most definitely missable, not remotely hilarious and I wondered why I wasted my time on it at all.

2 people found this helpful

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Simply wonderful

I adore Miles and admit that I would have bought this book regardless of content but am thrilled that I absolutely adored if. A touch of Tom Sharpe about it, maybe a little of Alan Bennett but that may just be the obvious / lazy History Boys comparison - I adore that too and this didn't disappoint, although they really should be compared.
A lovely narrative that manages to be both impossible not to get lost in and at the same time compelling and full of gripping detail. I LOVED IT!

2 people found this helpful

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  • MAstudent
  • 21-08-21

Very funny! Very British

Obviously a great listen if you're a Miles Jupp fan! It was perfect entertainment for a long car journey.