The Understudy: A Novel Paperback – January 30, 2007

With his second novel, David Nicholls attempted to tell a story about an understudy to a superstar in a theater production in London. With his two other books under my belt (Starter for 10 or A Question of Attraction in the US, his first novel, and One Day, his third novel), I found The Understudy a bit underwhelming in comparison. Make no mistake, it is still a good read, but some of characters in this novel are just not believable. A divorced actor making a deal with the superstar to cover his indiscretions and then falling in love with his wife are just too abstract to be reliable.Overall though i think the novel is still very entertaining but if you have to choose to read one of Nicholl's three novels, skip this one and go for One Day instead.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I have downloaded to my Kindle every other book this author has written. Written with a great sense of humor (laugh-out-loud many times) the main character is one that "every man" (or woman) can identify with. Basically a good guy, who just can't seem to catch a break. You cannot help but love this guy, and root for him to get what he wants out of life. Does he finally get it? No spoiler here. You will have to read this wonderful, engaging book to find out.

David Nicholls is a fine writer but I was rather disappointed in this book. I recently read "Us" by the same author which I really liked but I am afraid I lost interest in this book and stopped reading it halfway through, something I rarely do. Having said that, the book is okay and has a few amusing moments but I just could not relate to the main character who plays the part of an understudy and although one wants him to succeed as an actor he just irritated me too much!

A great novel about the great desire to succeed against all hope (and sanity). The understudy deftly captures how far someone will go to get a glimpse of the high one feels when adored. It is a must for any theater person (current or former).

Loved it! I laughed so hard and so often while reading this book that I thought my internal organs might suffer permanent damage. I had to put the book down to recover.In this book the author, to my mind, reaches levels comparable to the great writers of English humor, like Nick Hornby, P.G Wodehouse.In some ways this book is purer than "one day" -- it is really just humor, comedy of manners, with some romance thrown in on the side.

Nicholls excels at hilarious, snappy dialogue between main characters. It's a sweet story with, like Emma Morley, a lovable and good hearted protagonist that you root for. It did not reach the emotional highs that One Day achieved, but was engrossing and enjoyable.

This is not great literature, but it is an enjoyable read with a very likable main character. It is a bit of a romantic drama/comedy taking place in London that could easily be a plot for a movie. A nice way to spend a few hours.

i can't say enough about this terrific book. funny? yes, hilarious... the character of josh is so funny, i roared... but. then again stephen mc queen is the best. it's impossible not to root for him... author of starter for 10, a wonderful movie, by the way, is an excellent writer. he also wrote one day, which is also a good movie. i hope he's made himself a fortune! he deserves it!lynne from sellersville

The book is in a really bad condition as one can clearly see in the pictures attached. I’m quite disappointed.

Wry and witty and telling on so many levels. I felt for Stephen empathised and willed him on to achieve his dreams while at the same time aware of his weakness and self delusions. We only have his view of himself as a great actor waiting in the wings for his big break. In others eyes he may not actually be as good as Stephen felt he was. Or was he? All through the book I seesawed between hoping he was and dreading he wasn't and found the book held me through all Stephen's story of swinging hope and despair. It's a character driven book and it was easy to imagine all the characters in the flesh. They felt real and so did the world they inhabit. I enjoyed the humour of some of the situations Stephen found himself in. I enjoyed the book with all its light and shade so skilfully written, very much. I love David Nicholls books anyway and enjoyed Us and One Day . He gets under the skin of his characters and makes you feel for them. I will read more of his books. They refresh my reading palette in between crime and psychological thrillers and always make me think. My husband does 'war's work and this world in this book and these characters were recognisable and realistic, amusing and apt. It's a good read.

If he were born a hundred years ago I am sure his novels would be counted as literature. It has a weight of detailed observation and handling of relationships that I can only think is matched by Graham Greene. I have read this book Starter for Ten, One day and Us, all beautifully observed with characters finely detailed. This book is sort of between One day and Us all four being a quartet on the stages of life. He writes for the best motive of all, to sell. There is no pretentiousness here, no wretched breaking down the barriers but a writer who clearly enjoys exercising his considerable talent. My only criticism is that his output is quite low. I have yet to read Sweet Sorrow though, no doubt I will get round to it.

Poor Stephen McQueen - the understudy in the title - has the same name, different spelling of Steve McQueen, famous film star. Stephen is destined to have little success in his personal life or career. Stephen is the understudy to Josh who is the star in a play about Lord Byron - both callow, selfish but charismatic.Josh's vanity and self centredness is immediately recognisable as one of the umpteen celebrities who are usually portrayed as totally self absorbed and leeches on those less fortunate than themselves or part of their fan club.Is there humour in this book? - I doubt it. Stephen is invited to Josh's de luxe apartment, takes a bottle of champagne only to find he hasn't been invited as a guest/friend but substitute waiter. How much humour or lack of sensitivity does the reader have to have to see this as funny rather than a cruel slight to an under dog - a subtle as slipping on a banana skin.Nora, Josh's wife who sleeps with Stephen is less than likely to stay with Stephen than with her husband. Stephen's ex regards him as a good guy and despite him being a no hoper in many spheres appreciates his decency as a human being; Stephen's daughter, whom he adores sees him in a better light, by the end of the novel.There is so much excellent prose, descriptions of people, places, scenes etc. I think that David Nicholl's book would have been better as a play. However in play script form, this could have been a double edged sword depending on the tastelessness with which insecure under dog heroes are treated these days - targets of cheap laughs, tawdry jokes.

Nicholls' leading character is Stephen C. McQueen (reasons for the inclusion of the middle initial should be obvious) a hardworking long-suffering actor. He's slightly reminiscent of Andy Millman in Extras although of course he lacks that arrogant complacency that only Ricky Gervais can create (and perform). Stephen is a scholar of theatre and drama, he is a dedicated professional and he is approaching forty and still looking for his `big break'. Eking out a living from bit parts and small theatre roles (not forgetting his role starring role as Sammy the Squirrel in the children's educational DVD), Stephen plods through life wishing for more, ruing missed chances and seemingly alone. He has a seven year old daughter Sophie who he sees intermittently and who, bizarrely, Nicholls gives all the attitude and eloquence of a relatively intelligent fifteen year old.The story follows Stephen as he understudies the 12th Sexiest Man in the World Josh Harper for whom everything has just gone right from his beautiful home to his star-studded CV and of course his beautiful (but unconventional) wife Nora.As is expected, Stephen begins to get close to Nora and finds out more about Josh than he wants to but an offer from Josh leaves him in an impossible situation and it does seem too good to refuse.What did I think?I genuinely enjoyed this novel. It was funny, biting and I definitely feel it was possible to feel Stephen's pain at all his missed chances. Nicholls offers us a character who genuinely loves to act in opposition to the fame-hungry Josh Harper (who it is quite easy to dislike and who bears many similarities to Dexter Mayhew in One Day). There's the standard `will he won't he' get the girl narrative but it works well and almost all the characters are believable and genuine (with the notable flaw being Sophie - a seven year old using the word banal?).