Brian: Jeremy Cooper

This is a fantastic book. Clever, informative at the same time as telling a lovely story about poor old Brian. I bought it for all my friends cos everyone should read it!

I read this after hearing it reviewed on A Good Read on BBC Radio 4. I was intrigued as the reviewers were Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan and they both said it was a book which surprised them and it's easy to see why. The protagonist is a quiet soul who lives alone with no network of friends and family and only feels safe within the limits of his daily routines. Fortunately for him, he lives in London and is able to expand his fairly casual interest in cinema when he discovers the huge range of films available continuously at the British Film Institute on the Southbank. Through this, his horizons expand and he becomes, in his quiet way, a respected member of a small group of film buffs who informally gather there and discuss what they have seen as well as engaging with people in a way which in the past he would not have thought possible or even desirable. Do not expect great drama or action, or even an exciting conclusion. However the book is a satisfying exploration of how art, culture- call it what you will - can have powerfully redemptive qualities and move us to places which we might have been too wary or ignorant of to know even existed. Although it is not a very long book, be prepared to take some time reading it because you will spend quite some time looking up the references, if you are anything like me, and like the main character, feel considerably enriched by doing so!

A lovely quiet study of a lonely man, but I found the endless lists of films (most of which I haven't seen) a bit tedious

An excellent and different read.

Brian is a solitary chap who works for Camden council and spends his free time at the BFI, watching as many films as he can. There he gets to know some of the other regulars, forming a tentative friendship or two. And that is, basically, the plot of this deceptively simple but thoroughly rewarding novel – a slightly odd meditation on the pleasure of routine and the art of cinema. Occasional glimpses are given of Brian's past – a mother who helped Northern Irish terrorists, a childhood in and out of care, a brother he has not seen for 40 years – but none of this is dwelled upon and, although it adds depth and texture to the character, it doesn't really affect the story. A wonderful gift for the film buff in your life, something a bit different.

Recommendation by mr David nicholls. This was a lovely read. No chapters, just the life of Brian who sought a life in films.

I wanted to connect with the character but I haven’t yet. It’s quite detailed around film and directors at the moment - hoping for more of a life story then further info.

It's an extraordinary book, unlike anything I've read before. Googling will tell people about it but potential readers will be interested to know that it is well written

I’m quite surprised, but I loved that book. May be it’s a bit sad, but the guy is nevertheless touching. The numerous movies references aren’t annoying either. They were a kind of remembering of that period in my life when I too visited movie clubs. All the great were there, quite enjoyable.

This is book for film lovers who relish details about many great and foreign films. It is also a deeper look into a man whose is not able to fully experience a rich life, yet film ends up being a genuine route to a better life for him. A quiet, unassuming book that is beautifully written.