Tom Sharpe – Wilt on High – 5 Star Review
Forty years on, as funny as ever – With some observations still so very pertinent
Searching the loft the other day, I found a collection of my old books, amongst which was Wilt on High.
Despite it being forty years old, I found Tom Sharpe’s observations still so outrageously funny as when I first read them.
Now many might say that some of the content is dated and not appropriate now, but for someone who grew up in that era, when my wife and I were just starting our family, it remains today as humorous and at times laugh out loud funny as it did back then.
TS’s writing is at times bordering on the farcical, but that is what makes it so hilarious. He was and always will be, in my opinion one of the most humorous writers I have read.
I think I now know where some of my humour and mannerisms originate.
I just love how he conveys Wilt’s observations, and an ability to take everything so literally.
So many human observations remain as true today as they did then – but perhaps those bought up in the 21st century may not quite see it that way?
But perhaps that is what they are missing, the inability to see the outrageous in almost every walk of life.
What TS would have made of today’s lifestyles and obsession with social media defies comprehension, but I guess he would have had a field day.
I had so many laugh out loud moments, something I rarely now achieve with so-called modern writers. From cover to cover, I smiled my way through this farce that has left me longing to start the next of my old books.
I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed reading the TS classics, but I will certainly relish rekindling my memories as I read the rest over the coming weeks.
Put to one side any prejudices you may have and just lap up his wonderful and funny take on life back in the eighties – for some a time gone by, or perhaps never known – but enjoy the writing for its outrageous satire, albeit, at times so now politically incorrect. Give it a go and enjoy.
