I am not skilled in British slang to make any comment about it being appropriate, but it did not stand in the way of my understanding the plot. I can imagine that some people would not find this a particularly funny novel. However, I found myself laughing out loud a number of times---something I don't often do reading. I haven't really made up my mind about the ending of the book yet. But, as I think about it more and more, Harvey, the main character, is so self-centered and short-sighted that as a consequence he sets himself up for the end of the novel.

Do you like BBC comedies?---then you might enjoy this book.



Rebecca (USA: NM) (2008/10/18):
Antony Moore's 'Swap' is a combination of a comedy, mystery, and thriller. Harvey Briscow is also not your typical main character; he's pretty much a looser who never grew up. He attends his twentieth reunion high school in hopes of seeing Charles "Bleeder" Odd, the boy who he swapped his now priceless 'Superman One' comic book for a piece if plastic tubing in school. But in his attempt to retrieve the comic when discovers Bleeder still has it, Harvey stumbles into a situation he will instantly regret. The Swap is a decent comedy, once you get into the book. The first few chapters are not as interesting, but once Harvey starts to lose control, it gets better. The overall mystery is also good; in a way, it's a story about how much more can be occurring beneath the surface in your peers' lives. The ending though was a real letdown, it ended very abruptly and it felt like Moore didn't tie up all the loose ends. Otherwise, the book was a fun and short read, but if the sudden ending will bother you, then this probably isn't the book for you.