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A Broken Shell of a Man
The Legg family are a nightmare, and Peggy Legg has many issues. A homeless and hungry gypsy visits Peggy’s cafe to beg for food, but Peggy is uncharitable. When the gypsy puts a spell on Peggy, everything in her dysfunctional life that was already awful, gets even worse. Domestic violence, heavy drinking, drugs, junk food and cigarettes are the staples of everyday life. An unholy interest in eggs only adds a surreal twist to the misery Gregg Legg has to put up with. He’s been bullied throughout his life, but when he marries Peggy, the bullying only gets worse. Eventually, Gregg can’t take it anymore – he has to think of what is best for his son and makes a difficult decision. A Broken Shell of a Man is a surreal, darkly hilarious and often terrifying novel that looks at the problem of domestic abuse from a new and refreshing perspective. The darkness of the story is leavened with black Scottish humour throughout. A previous version of this book was published as Wooden Womb Man
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 31, 2017
I stumbled upon this book not knowing the author had published another in the same style as "The Killing of John, John and John. A book I quite enjoyed.
Written in the same dialect, it was a few pages before I could get myself back into that "frame of mind", that way of speaking if you will. It certainly does take a bit to get used to, yet without the dialect the book itself just would not have the same obscure charm. It is gritty, and does get to be at times rather horrific in the content. Unfortunately all too real in my opinion when it comes to the abuse portrayed here. But this is not a review of the real world.
One thing I was not expecting with this book, considering what the content is, was to laugh, it is funny on many levels. Yes I do have an odd sense of humour yet I believe the humour is intentional in this case simply to ease the mind of the reader somewhat from the harsher depictions portrayed throughout.
There is no doubt this is a difficult read, firstly with the dialect, continuing with the depth of the content- yet the style in which the story is written, this just brings it all together nicely. I can almost guarantee- you will not expect the way the author wraps this all up!
Definitely a fun and enjoyable read I would recommend.
Written in the same dialect, it was a few pages before I could get myself back into that "frame of mind", that way of speaking if you will. It certainly does take a bit to get used to, yet without the dialect the book itself just would not have the same obscure charm. It is gritty, and does get to be at times rather horrific in the content. Unfortunately all too real in my opinion when it comes to the abuse portrayed here. But this is not a review of the real world.
One thing I was not expecting with this book, considering what the content is, was to laugh, it is funny on many levels. Yes I do have an odd sense of humour yet I believe the humour is intentional in this case simply to ease the mind of the reader somewhat from the harsher depictions portrayed throughout.
There is no doubt this is a difficult read, firstly with the dialect, continuing with the depth of the content- yet the style in which the story is written, this just brings it all together nicely. I can almost guarantee- you will not expect the way the author wraps this all up!
Definitely a fun and enjoyable read I would recommend.
August 22, 2017
I've been looking forward to Elizabeth's latest novel since "The Killing of John, John and John", which is an outstanding book and a must for any adult. I certainly wasn't disappointed and this would probably make my top 10 all-time favorite reads.
A Broken Shell of a Man tells the brutal story of the Legg family, particularly the near psychotic Peggy and her long suffering husband Greg. It deals with very hard subjects; poverty, depression, alcoholism, domestic and child abuse among others, all set in the underbelly of the deprived and impoverished Scottish social security populace.
This could all make for a quite depressing read, and it would be if it wasn't for the skill of the author. Humour is used extensively to offset what would otherwise be a book too upsetting to read. It falls short of being a parody, as I suspect much of what happens is unfortunately a grim reality for many. The reader will likely be taken into a very different world to their own, and it's not a comfortable place. The story is wrapped in elements of fantasy, which works well as it's not overplayed and helps sweeten the pill.
Most of the dialog is in the Doric dialect, which does take a few pages to get used to, but is very important to the characterisation. In fact I don't think the story would work without it.
A Broken Shell of a Man tells the brutal story of the Legg family, particularly the near psychotic Peggy and her long suffering husband Greg. It deals with very hard subjects; poverty, depression, alcoholism, domestic and child abuse among others, all set in the underbelly of the deprived and impoverished Scottish social security populace.
This could all make for a quite depressing read, and it would be if it wasn't for the skill of the author. Humour is used extensively to offset what would otherwise be a book too upsetting to read. It falls short of being a parody, as I suspect much of what happens is unfortunately a grim reality for many. The reader will likely be taken into a very different world to their own, and it's not a comfortable place. The story is wrapped in elements of fantasy, which works well as it's not overplayed and helps sweeten the pill.
Most of the dialog is in the Doric dialect, which does take a few pages to get used to, but is very important to the characterisation. In fact I don't think the story would work without it.
December 6, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I nearly gave up after a few chapters because a lot of it is written in the heavily accented Glaswegian dialect and I found it hard to keep to the flow of the story, as I tried to decipher the meaning. I also think it was a struggle because I was reading from my phone.
Once I switched to a bigger ereader it seemed easier.
The story itself is very dark and very disturbing in places, however it kept me hooked. I really couldn’t understand why Greg stayed with Peggy. I can’t even put into words how horrible she is. At the same time, knowing her background and the culture her and Greg grew up with it explained some of her attitude, but not all. I don’t think any reader would root for Peggy, however I highly recommend you read to the end to find out how their lives turn out. It is a heavenly ending.
I congratulate O'Neill on being able to insert humour into a dark topic.
Once I switched to a bigger ereader it seemed easier.
The story itself is very dark and very disturbing in places, however it kept me hooked. I really couldn’t understand why Greg stayed with Peggy. I can’t even put into words how horrible she is. At the same time, knowing her background and the culture her and Greg grew up with it explained some of her attitude, but not all. I don’t think any reader would root for Peggy, however I highly recommend you read to the end to find out how their lives turn out. It is a heavenly ending.
I congratulate O'Neill on being able to insert humour into a dark topic.
July 1, 2018
This book was quite a read. Poor Gregg has a man-beater wife, Peggy, and an eternally pacifistic nature. In spite of his enduring love for his wife, his life has been spent defending her reputation, his dignity as man-of-the-house honor, and surviving many injuries. The Scottish dialect throughout the book gave me some difficulty at times but if read out loud in some of the passages it becomes clear and important to empathize limited educational background of his social settings. As a Scotsman myself, I was amused that I had not appreciated how different the dialect might be from spoken English. I really did not think it distracting once I got into the rhythm and it helped the story along by reinforcing the durability of Scotland itself. Gregg has been the one who endured the trials and misfortunes of marriage but when a baby appears, he has to finally take matters in a different direction. The final solution is a complete reset in the curse of the gypsy woman to his wife and an education to Peggy she dare not forget.
June 1, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
August 30, 2017
This is the second book that I have read by Elizabeth O'Neill, and as with the first book, it is a gritty story of a dysfunctional family in Scotland.
Gregg and Peggy Legg have a very turbulent relationship, mainly due to Peggy's attitude to her husband and young son. She is violent and deceptive. This is partly down to a curse that a gypsy put on her, but she wasn't a good person before that either.
Her long suffering husband Gregg puts up with her behaviour until one day he realises how much danger his little boy is in.
Most of the dialogue in this book is expressed in a Scottish accent which was fine for me as I'm Scottish.
Another good read from the author. Well worth reading.
Gregg and Peggy Legg have a very turbulent relationship, mainly due to Peggy's attitude to her husband and young son. She is violent and deceptive. This is partly down to a curse that a gypsy put on her, but she wasn't a good person before that either.
Her long suffering husband Gregg puts up with her behaviour until one day he realises how much danger his little boy is in.
Most of the dialogue in this book is expressed in a Scottish accent which was fine for me as I'm Scottish.
Another good read from the author. Well worth reading.
September 11, 2018
A Broken Shell of a Man by Elizabeth O'Neil is written with the Scottish dialogue intact in the story. At first this was surprising, but soon it became fun to hear the musical tone of the conversations and to decode the shocking language interspersed within the characters' rapport. This story wraps around the Legg family: Peggy, Meggie, Chicken N and Hen, all self-destructive, all spokes in the great wheel of the violent father and addictive mother. Yet they survive by identifying with each other, even as they wreck lives because of their destructive impulses.
This book starts out with a great play on characters and words. It is side-splitting funny, satirical, and at times hysterical, like watching a Monty Python show. The quirky and unexpected events are fun to read. Consider Peggy Legg and her rage when she has PMS, which causes her husband to build a wooden womb in back of their house to get away from her during a certain time of the month. Her ridicule of him, and everyone around her, is funny when she blathers coarse descriptive metaphors about others as she flips eggs for the village.
The author, Elizabeth O'Neil is an excellent writer. Sadly, though, the tone shifts in this book to a more serious, therapeutic tone. How can it not? The theme moves into domestic abuse as male characters are abused and learn they have nowhere to go for help. As they grow more helpless, they become cornered and desperate. This is a sad fact in our society that is often overlooked: when men need help, they are often stigmatized and considered "weak" by others.
When Peggy Legg's husband stops making excuses for her and finally does the only thing he can do to save himself and another family member, this book turns on its head. What happens next is no longer funny. The author does a brilliant job of entertaining, even as she imparts an important message about a lingering social problem.
This book starts out with a great play on characters and words. It is side-splitting funny, satirical, and at times hysterical, like watching a Monty Python show. The quirky and unexpected events are fun to read. Consider Peggy Legg and her rage when she has PMS, which causes her husband to build a wooden womb in back of their house to get away from her during a certain time of the month. Her ridicule of him, and everyone around her, is funny when she blathers coarse descriptive metaphors about others as she flips eggs for the village.
The author, Elizabeth O'Neil is an excellent writer. Sadly, though, the tone shifts in this book to a more serious, therapeutic tone. How can it not? The theme moves into domestic abuse as male characters are abused and learn they have nowhere to go for help. As they grow more helpless, they become cornered and desperate. This is a sad fact in our society that is often overlooked: when men need help, they are often stigmatized and considered "weak" by others.
When Peggy Legg's husband stops making excuses for her and finally does the only thing he can do to save himself and another family member, this book turns on its head. What happens next is no longer funny. The author does a brilliant job of entertaining, even as she imparts an important message about a lingering social problem.
December 11, 2017
I truly think Elizabeth O'Neill is a unique and talented author. Her bleak and dispiriting novels are at times appalling in their portrayal of a Scottish underclass but even though the reader is drawn down deeper and deeper into a cesspit of misery, there is enough dark humour and sharp societal observation to keep you licking your lips and turning the page for more. The dialogue won't be for everyone and takes a bit of getting used to but, once you've mastered that, then it's like watching a Scandi crime epic on TV, you don't notice the subtitling after a while.
It's a book that takes realism to a new level - think Irvine Welsh meets Danny Boyle on a really bad day... Loved it!
It's a book that takes realism to a new level - think Irvine Welsh meets Danny Boyle on a really bad day... Loved it!
May 31, 2018
when a gypsy goes into her café for help she refuses. her life was bad but the gypsy put a curse on them. so life gets even harder. meanwhile her husband has had enough of the abuse she gives out so decides he must do what he needs to for his child. see where this will go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2017
I somewhat enjoyed the first 30% of this book. Peggy is a working wife with a sarcastic wit and a tongue like a knife; her husband, Gregg, is the passive-aggressive battered spouse. There are plenty of darkly comical moments to lighten the gloomy mood of the story, and the author utilizes the local dialect so skillfully that the dialogue was fun to read in itself.
A Broken Shell of a Man takes a much darker turn when Peggy finds herself pregnant. Although she is clearly unwilling and unsuited to be a mother, she is denied an abortion and eventually convinced to keep the child. From there the narrative swiftly loses its sense of humor. The reader is dragged through chapter after chapter of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and misery. In the second half of the book there were numerous punctuation errors and large tracts of dialogue that could have effectively conveyed the same point in a fraction as many words.
This could have been a great commentary on how outdated expectations create horrific situations. Peggy, incredibly unsuited to be a mother, is coerced into motherhood by her doctor and family with all the grace of an oblivious toddler pounding a square peg into a round hole. Gregg is trapped in an abusive relationship by the misconception that men who suffer domestic violence are weak, and never overcomes his fear of what people will think to get help for himself or his young son.
I really wanted to like this book and to be able to say that it handles its tragic material well. Sadly A Broken Shell of a Man comes off as a Women Are Just As Bad (TM) fable with a heavy dose of religious moralizing. There is a point near the end that illustrates this slant particularly well: Peggy is speaking to God, and God says that Gregg never did anything evil in his life– this being the same Gregg who, in a fit of rage, “kicked Peggy in the stomach with his steel-capped work boots until he had exhausted himself,” causing her to miscarry their second child. This isn’t humorous– it’s just terrible.
A Broken Shell of a Man takes a much darker turn when Peggy finds herself pregnant. Although she is clearly unwilling and unsuited to be a mother, she is denied an abortion and eventually convinced to keep the child. From there the narrative swiftly loses its sense of humor. The reader is dragged through chapter after chapter of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and misery. In the second half of the book there were numerous punctuation errors and large tracts of dialogue that could have effectively conveyed the same point in a fraction as many words.
This could have been a great commentary on how outdated expectations create horrific situations. Peggy, incredibly unsuited to be a mother, is coerced into motherhood by her doctor and family with all the grace of an oblivious toddler pounding a square peg into a round hole. Gregg is trapped in an abusive relationship by the misconception that men who suffer domestic violence are weak, and never overcomes his fear of what people will think to get help for himself or his young son.
I really wanted to like this book and to be able to say that it handles its tragic material well. Sadly A Broken Shell of a Man comes off as a Women Are Just As Bad (TM) fable with a heavy dose of religious moralizing. There is a point near the end that illustrates this slant particularly well: Peggy is speaking to God, and God says that Gregg never did anything evil in his life– this being the same Gregg who, in a fit of rage, “kicked Peggy in the stomach with his steel-capped work boots until he had exhausted himself,” causing her to miscarry their second child. This isn’t humorous– it’s just terrible.
January 19, 2018
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for a fair review.
This novel...was decidedly different. At first, the dialect employed by the author was a bit daunting to get through, but I soon figured it out, and the bonus in this endeavor was that everyone had their own voice. Very distinct, very clear...a total plus in my book.
A Broken Shell... follows the life of the Leggs, Gregg and Peggy, and focuses on the minutia that they deal with. Gregg is a browbeaten--literally--husband, while Peggy is, at turns, sharp-tongued, fiery, caring, and damn near psychotic. And it's all due to a curse...or so she thinks.
When it comes to domestic abuse, invariably it's the wife who suffers. Here, the tables are reversed, and Peggy is the instigator. When she becomes pregnant, something that really shouldn't happen to someone with her personality, I wondered what kind of life the wee one would have.
What this novel does is to explore the underbelly of those who earn less, those who've lost hope up to a point, and those who strive to excel in spite of their daunting circumstances. The author clearly has done their homework, painting a grim picture of life in the lower social circles, yet there are flashes of dark humor interspersed with the narrative that give the reader hope for the Leggs' future. There may not be much hope, but it still exists, and that's worth thinking about.
Worth the read. It ain't what you call a happy book--but it is interesting.
This novel...was decidedly different. At first, the dialect employed by the author was a bit daunting to get through, but I soon figured it out, and the bonus in this endeavor was that everyone had their own voice. Very distinct, very clear...a total plus in my book.
A Broken Shell... follows the life of the Leggs, Gregg and Peggy, and focuses on the minutia that they deal with. Gregg is a browbeaten--literally--husband, while Peggy is, at turns, sharp-tongued, fiery, caring, and damn near psychotic. And it's all due to a curse...or so she thinks.
When it comes to domestic abuse, invariably it's the wife who suffers. Here, the tables are reversed, and Peggy is the instigator. When she becomes pregnant, something that really shouldn't happen to someone with her personality, I wondered what kind of life the wee one would have.
What this novel does is to explore the underbelly of those who earn less, those who've lost hope up to a point, and those who strive to excel in spite of their daunting circumstances. The author clearly has done their homework, painting a grim picture of life in the lower social circles, yet there are flashes of dark humor interspersed with the narrative that give the reader hope for the Leggs' future. There may not be much hope, but it still exists, and that's worth thinking about.
Worth the read. It ain't what you call a happy book--but it is interesting.
November 18, 2018
What an original story. There is so much about this book that pushed me in my interest that it's difficult to know which areas to focus on to write a review! First off, at the start of the book I found myself giggling in places. The author's dedication to writing phonetically so as to depict the characters speaking in a Scottish accent, I did find delightful. As the story moved forward, however, there were times when I felt like it was really hard work trying to sound out words in my head fairly consistently. In places I found myself so focused on following the 'accent' wording that I'd drifted away from following the story. Bringing myself back to the task at hand, though, the story itself surprised me. At first I wondered if I might be reading a comedy. As the chapters passed, the story became increasingly darker and darker.
I think there are some things in this story that could upset some readers, however they are real aspects of real life so I do think they contributed to the story. Near the end I was wondering how it could possibly end. The author threw in a great curveball that I won't even hint upon. Overall this is something very different to read, a bit out of the ordinary in the world of so many books that read very similarly.
I don't know if I'd read any follow on story from this, but I do recommend this one as a read if you're after something different that has a bit of grit and substance in its content.
I think there are some things in this story that could upset some readers, however they are real aspects of real life so I do think they contributed to the story. Near the end I was wondering how it could possibly end. The author threw in a great curveball that I won't even hint upon. Overall this is something very different to read, a bit out of the ordinary in the world of so many books that read very similarly.
I don't know if I'd read any follow on story from this, but I do recommend this one as a read if you're after something different that has a bit of grit and substance in its content.
January 9, 2018
This book was brutal and darkly funny. The dialogue was a little difficult to get through, given that it was done in a heavily Scottish dialect, but getting through that makes the whole thing that much more worth it.
January 17, 2018
This book has a solid plot and excellent characters that will keep you hooked from page 1 to the end!!
Peggy Legg is married to Gregg Legg, they have a son. Peggy is not nice to either of them. One day Gregg Legg opens his eyes and see's whats going on @ him and his son. Peggy was never a bright sunny person, but the curse of the gypsy just compounds her issues.
I did have a hard time with the Scottish dialogue, but nothing that kept me from devouring this book. Give it a try. It's dark and it's light in some places. There is humor, but there is also anger, resentment, angst, etc.
Peggy Legg is married to Gregg Legg, they have a son. Peggy is not nice to either of them. One day Gregg Legg opens his eyes and see's whats going on @ him and his son. Peggy was never a bright sunny person, but the curse of the gypsy just compounds her issues.
I did have a hard time with the Scottish dialogue, but nothing that kept me from devouring this book. Give it a try. It's dark and it's light in some places. There is humor, but there is also anger, resentment, angst, etc.
December 13, 2017
A very Gritty story indeed with Scottish Dialect that is very
Down to earth.
A great read and great insight into a domestically violent wife.
Husband Gregg and his Wife Peggy the perpetrator.
Peggy takes life and the ones she should love for granted.
And read how her abusive behaviour towards her Husband and son affects her and all around her.
And her treatment of vulnerable people .
One of which curses her.
A thoroughly enthralling book with imaginitive and a very dramatic storyline.
And the moral backlash after the tragedies that occur.
Read and you will enjoy.
I would highly recommend this Title.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Down to earth.
A great read and great insight into a domestically violent wife.
Husband Gregg and his Wife Peggy the perpetrator.
Peggy takes life and the ones she should love for granted.
And read how her abusive behaviour towards her Husband and son affects her and all around her.
And her treatment of vulnerable people .
One of which curses her.
A thoroughly enthralling book with imaginitive and a very dramatic storyline.
And the moral backlash after the tragedies that occur.
Read and you will enjoy.
I would highly recommend this Title.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews