The Gun Seller

By: Hugh Laurie

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Cold-blooded murder just isn't Thomas Lang's cup of tea. Offered a bundle to assassinate an American industrialist, he opts to warn the intended victim instead - a good deed that soon takes a bad turn. Quicker than he can down a shot of his favorite whiskey, Lang is bashing heads with a Buddha statue, matching wits with evil billionaires, and putting his life (among other things) in the hands of a bevy of femme fatales.

Up against rogue CIA agents, wannabe terrorists, and an arms dealer looking to make a high-tech killing, Lang's out to save the leggy lady he has come to love...and prevent an international bloodbath to boot.

©1996 Hugh Laurie. Recorded by arrangement with Harold Ober Associates. (P)2012 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Fast, topical, wry, suspenseful, hilarious, witty, surprising, ridiculous and pretty wonderful. And you don't need a permit to buy it." ( The Washington Post Book World)

"A first-rate thriller...an awesome entertainment machine." ( Cleveland Plain Dealer)

"[A] ripping spoof of the spy genre." ( Vanity Fair)

very entertaining

Any additional comments?

Laurie knows how to write. He provides a good story along with entertaining description and dialog.

Spies, Guns and Cars

It's part Bond and part Hugh Laurie meant to make you laugh. Great spy book for adults.

I hope he writes more.

Good entertainment. An interesting story with intrigue and surprising twists. Characters are enjoyable and engaging. I bought this out of curiosity and found myself rapidly drawn into what is a really good story. As always, Simon Prebble is among the best of narrators.

Too silly by half

The narration has some charm, but not enough. It's just too silly to take seriously--or even semi-seriously--and pretty soon it began to wear.

Least Helpful Review of The Gun Seller

So, I started rewatching the series “House” the other day. After several episodes I googled Hugh Laurie and... Holy Crap, he wrote a book!!! I wonder if they have it on audible... they do... and it’s read by Simon Preble!!! Oh, I’ve got to get that!

After listening to it I’ve got to say. It was pretty good. Lots of humor. Not the kind that would make you shoot whatever you just took a sip of out of your nose, but the smart kind of humor. The brilliant turn-of-phrase kind that only British people do well. A lot of the smart arse kind too. Makes a lot of fun of Americans too, but in a way where (as an American) I had to be like, “yeah, he got that right.”

As for the plot... it’s very good. It was wrote about 25 years ago, so a lot of stuff in it is outdated, but I don’t mind that much. The only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 stars is that I felt it was a little dragged out in the middle. While listening to some of it I was thinking, “yeah, yeah, get to the good stuff!”

All in all... I hope Hugh Laurie writes more. If he ever dose it will go straight to the top of my reading list.

Suprising

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yup. Thought the end was very John D McDonald and I like that in a mystery.

What other book might you compare The Gun Seller to and why?

The wrap-up and sheer loathsomeness of the bad-guy reminded me of a Travis McGee story by John D McDonald.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

The protagonist

If you could rename The Gun Seller, what would you call it?

Well I wouldn't rename it.

Any additional comments?

It was slow going to get into the story even though the writing was fun to listen to. It picked up speed toward the middle and had a satisfying conclusion. Just wish Hugh Laurie has read it.

surprisingly good

Didn't expect this at all to be any good, especially from a gentleman whose primary occupation is an actor. Fantastic narration as well!

A Blast from the Past, with Current Currency?!?

I enjoy the story. The author was very good at painting a picture one could both see as well as feel. As the title, and genre deal with guns and espionage, it should not be surprising the workings of the military, and the reasons for their need are explored. A particularly, thought provoking read; especially considering only four years ago the World was relatively peaceful. Currently, it feels as if, the numerous powder kegs are all just waiting to go off...This book made me pause and think hmmm????

Needed a Hugh Laurie-like voice

Would you consider the audio edition of The Gun Seller to be better than the print version?

Most definitely NOT!

I ordered this book as an import from the UK before it was even available in the US because I enjoy the wit of Hugh Laurie. When I read it, I heard his self-effacing, Bertie Wooster-esque voice as the main character. I realize it was too much to hope for to have him as the narrator, but Simon Prebble was all wrong for this part. Prebble, who is one of my all time favorite narrators, is just too formal, sounded too old and too educated for this character. It didn't ruin the book, but it was definitely a different take on the character than I heard when I read the book for myself.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Well, not exactly... It was just so absurd (intentionally so) that "edge of the seat" suspense was not really realistic, but I was always curious about what was going to happen to the protagonist next.

What three words best describe Simon Prebble’s performance?

Stiff... All Wrong

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud several times.

Any additional comments?

Buy the print version and imagine Hugh Laurie reading it. But if you're not a reader, this is certainly better than not enjoying this book at all.

He's a better actor than author.

Laurie is a much better actor than author- I'd prefer if he would read books- he has a great voice!