Richard Happer

First Edition - the Ordnance Survey hated it, but it sold out

This is my first novel. It’s about 3 lovesick men (and their cat) who head into the glorious Scottish Highlands in search of the beautiful tourist girls who will surely cure all that ails them.

I don’t want to blow my own trumpet (particularly since I can’t play the trumpet) so rather than boast about the books supposed merits, I’ll let some other people who have read it tell you what they think (below). You can also find out more about the story and read an excerpt at the book’s own website.

“…a thoroughly engrossing adventure and travelogue. With some great characters, excruciatingly funny bits, some cringingly embarrassing bits and some real edge of your seat page turning stuff. And the ending – totally, totally brilliant. A tear jerker for even the hardest heart. Not what I was expecting at all. But brilliant. More please, Mr Happer.” S.J. Davies

“Your book nearly got me arrested. I was on the first plane to Berlin, sitting at my window seat with tears of laughter running down my cheeks. As you might imagine your average German kinda struggles to see the funny side of it – thought I was some psychologically unstable nut-job… Please write more books.” Jim Strang

“Brilliant, nearly cried with laughter at several parts and thoroughly enjoyed it. Any chance of a sequel?” Andy Ross, mwis.org.uk

Second edition - just launched and selling well

“I am a member of staff at The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, and I’ve just finished reading your book. I’d just like to say it is a serious contender for the most entertaining book I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, and it has been the subject of a great deal of jokes and banter for the last week or so. A hugely enjoyable, believable and very touching read. Many thanks from the depths of Glencoe!” James Roddie

“I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone who likes Scotland – it’s not only the funniest book I’ve read in ages, with some classic characters and lines, it’s also a very thought-provoking story with real messages (in between the chasing hot European girls and causing mayhem, that is). Hopefully destined to become a tongue-in-cheek classic of mountain literature!” Only A Hill, UKClimbing.com ***** (5 stars)

Bloody lovely book. “I agree with the other reviewer about the laugh-out-loud factor (some of the set-pieces made me weep with laughter) but the book is richer and more complex than the title might suggest. The three young men’s adventure has a mythic flavour, with their different characters (savage, refined, and in-between) mirroring the conflicts between culture and nature that we all feel – should we try to get laid, or write a poem? Preferably both, the author seems to be saying. Surreal plot twists and startling action sequences serve to reinforce this sense of things happening on a higher plane – it’s a journey though the mountains, but also a journey through Fitch’s dark night of the soul. It’s outstandingly well-written – hilarious dialogue, razor-sharp action and really quite chilling violence, and weirdly vivid descriptions of landscape (something I normally find dull, but did not here) It makes me want to go to Scotland! This is a beautiful, life-affirming read – I got through it too quickly. I look forward to Happer’s next novel.” Mr BJ Twiston-Davies, London ***** (5 stars)

Unusual – genuinely laugh out loud funny, but also beautifully written. “This book was recommended to me by an old university flat-mate who saw a whole host of similarities between our flat bretheren and the 3 in the book. I haven’t read a novel in years, but decided to give it a go, as I love the hills, Scotland etc., and it sounded fun, although not the sort of “lad’s read” I would normally go for. What’s it about? Three old uni mates walk the West Highland way in search of birds, booze and adventure, and try to answer a few more challenging personal questions at the same time. It’s a bit “Three Men in a Boat” gone mad. To cut a long review short, this book brought back all those wonderful student memories flooding back – over-enthusiasm, rubbish ideas,bad behaviour, beer, last minute trips, romance and heartache. It was a bit like listening to one of those songs from your long distant past that stir up all your emotions and memories. There are some hysterically funny moments in it – the game of scrabble for me was a particular highlight and I liked the bad poetry, but above all, the book is very well observed and beautifuly written – particularly if you love the great outdoors. In summary – an unusual mix of styles that produces a really satisfying read, and keeps you thinking a little afterwards too. Best of luck Mr Happer – you deserve some success with this.” Northo, Scotland ***** (5 stars)

Surprisingly good. “How to make trudging 90 odd miles in the rain interesting? Congure up a group of Swedish girls as the Loaded readers equivalent of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow… Not that this is a book for Loaded readers, it’s racy, irreverent, and grubby at times, but has a softer, more thoughtful side too, with the unspoken closeness between Fitch and Macrae, and the rivalry between Macrae and Wentworth both well observed. Laugh out loud funny in places too. Read it – the surprise hit of the summer?” Mrs RE Davies, Manchester