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Mick Jackson

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The Underground Man Paperback – January 1, 1998

by Mick Jackson (Author)

4.1 162 ratings

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A novel short-listed for the 1997 Booker Prize offers a humorous portrait of the fifth Duke of Portland, a wealthy, eccentric, nineteenth-century aristocrat who constructed a vast network of underground tunnels from which he could escape to the world outside. Reprint.

Print length

266 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Group USA
Publication date

January 1, 1998
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
ISBN-10

0140274375
ISBN-13

978-0140274370
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A skilled writer blending fact ... and highly imaginative fiction, Jackson has produced a marvelous study of human foibles and done justice to the memory of a very strange man. -- The New York Times Book Review, Erik Burns

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Group USA (January 1, 1998)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 266 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140274375
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140274370
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,814,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,439,313 in Literature & Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 162 ratings

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4.1 out of 5

162 global ratings

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Cabin Dweller

An Ink Blot Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2018

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The Penguin Books paperback from 1998 has what could be my favorite book cover of all time.It is, however, an approximate depiction of the story, and the story is a murky depiction of the real life character on which it was based, William John Cavendish-Bentink-Scott. Let the creative license begin.

Cavendish-Bentink-Scott, or the Duke, or your Grace, is introduced as an Emersonian, relate-able, sincere, a Romantic, and an old soul. Though not a religious one, a scientific one. He has author Mick Jackson's gifts of eloquence, to include strict observation of everybody's comings and goings and a deep empathy for Nature. He is sentimental and reflects poignantly on youth. This book had me sold early on, but I did wonder where it could be going.

The story meanders. His Grace slowly is seen to fall behind the times, to have a bond of friendship with people who are too distant to be his friends. His royalty always serves him regarding his whimsy but it spoils him for developing the depth of kinship he does very well to internalize in his journal entries and, sometimes, with the eccentrics he may meet. The story meanders, but the character whose mental restlessness pushes and twists that story keeps it alive. This also occurs because of the "what now?" anticipation that has to seek a resolution somewhere.

The tunnels are fascinating. The servants are uniquely tragicomic. The grounds and the residence are themselves a character. Eventually, the Edinburgh plot develops and sprouts a host of psychological options. You don't have to be crazy to appreciate the mortality in the tale. I just think you'd have to see yourself as a character flawed by age.

One person found this helpful

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M. M. MacTier

An extraordinary book about an extraordinary man

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2003

The book is based on the life of William John Cavendish Bentinck-Scott, the Duke of Portland and a resident of Nottinghamshire, England. The Duke of Portland was one of Victorian England's most famous eccentrics, who built a series of underground tunnels large enough for carriages and horses, that enabled him to move around his vast property. Although some of the book is based on facts, Mick Jackson admitted to have taken downright liberties in writing it.

The novel enfolds in the form of journal entries by the duke himself, and is supplement of various neighbours, servants and service men's accounts of Your Grace. The plot develops around the Duke's observations of the world around him, his somewhat hypochondriac obsession with his body, the steadily degeneration of his mind and his search for something missing in his life. It is drawn to a shocking and somewhat bizarre climax in the end of the novel.

It is beautifully written tragic and comic novel, with a character and plot that won't easily be forgetten.

3 people found this helpful

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Pamela S. Runyon

My favorite book

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019

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This story is sadly funny. Heartbreaking. My friends have read it and one stated that "your choices are now suspect." One person thought I must be depressed because it is my favorite. They did not see the lyrical beauty of the writing. "I am located, verified." "Look for me listing to port." "Thundering cups of Assam." It is no wonder this book won the Booker Prize.

2 people found this helpful

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David J. Sherer

Superb; a gem; outstanding writing

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2011

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Like a great meal you want over and over, this book delivers delight on 3 rd and 4th readings. Each time, I pick up something new. The prose is like poetry, and the images!-- God only knows from where this man conjured them. The subject itself is novel, but it is the writing that smacks the ball out of the park.
If you love spellbinding writing, read this book.

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dpgk

One of the most original novels I have ever read

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2012

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Simply put, this is one of the most original novels I have ever read. The story, characters and setting make for a lush, quick read.

I wish that Mick Jackson could bottle whatever creativity he used to create this world so he could do it again and again.

Well worth the time.

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017

rather boring

Well done, and certainly different

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2001

This is an interesting book, about the type of truly eccentric and driven man that can only have been produced by the Victorian aristocracy. It is an interesting mixture of the main character's journal (which is by far the majority of the text) and the observations of the local people and staff on his estate.
It is certainly a fascinating and richly detailed account of what would be considered at any time chronic eccentricity bordering on madness - the endless underground tunnels and odd eating habits alone are enough to convince you of this, but what I feel is a small weakness of the novel is that there is simply not enough external observations of the Duke. Those observations by the house-keeper and the footman etc are little gems of insight, but they are too few.
The prose itself is beautiful, and once again invokes the feeling of the time wonderfully. It is a fine novel, well worth a read.

8 people found this helpful

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K. West

Still laughing

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2013

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I've read this book 2-3 times, several years ago and I still laugh when I think of certain passages. Must read again soon.

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Stefan

Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2023

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Clever and witty, a pleasure to read.

CaSundara

By Turns Hilarious & Poignant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2017

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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this witty little character study. I found the duke a most endearing soul, whose child-like naivety and kind heartedness were apparent throughout his hilarious and ever more bizarre escapades. I lost count of the occasions I laughed out loud.

There was a point about a quarter of the way through when the humour seemed to become a little predictable, in the sense that you expected a laugh at the end of every paragraph, but thankfully the author noticed this and began on occasions to change the structure.

As mentioned by another reviewer, the final section of the book felt a little rushed, but perhaps that represents the duke's situation at that time? On the the other hand, perhaps the author ran out of ideas and rushed that part. Hmm...

Indeed, what I found most unlikable about this book was the ending - but only because it came so quickly. This is one of those novels you thunder through and then wish you'd savoured more slowly. I'll certainly read it again.

I wondered several times while reading 'The Underground Man' how such a story could possibly end, and it was suitably ironic.

4.5 Stars

2 people found this helpful

Barista 1

A strange book indeed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2013

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Like the Widow's Tale by the same author, this is a first person narrative that beautifully captures inner turmoil and uncertainty. I read to the end but wasn't really gripped. The central character is a singular type and I suppose plausible as a wealthy late nineteenth century eccentric with the means to indulge even his wildest fancies. I didn' t really engage with him though. For me, nowhere near as enjoyable as the Widow's Tale.

TraceyEva

What a Joy to read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2015

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Fact or Fiction? When it's this well written you really stop caring.

I never expected to be overcome with so many different emotions ranging from deep sadness to laugh out loud giggles.

What an extraordinary man His Grace was. More child than man. Seeing the world through his eyes was a Joy. Reading how others saw His Grace was sometimes sad, often funny and also very revealing about how people treat others who are just a little bit "different".

The care and obvious devotion of Clement was very touching

I look forward to the Audio Book with Simon Vance. Pretty Please!!!

Goodbye Mr Berry Man. Sweet dreams.

One person found this helpful

Sean Cranny

Probably the best book I have ever read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2015

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This is my favourite read, and has been for some time. An excellent first novel, it get's into your head unlike anything I have ever read before or since. First, second and third person stances give the incredible and fascinating story of a wonderful English eccentric, someone with a thirst for knowledge and a fear of the future. I'll not divulge anything else, except to say, I have purchased this book at least a dozen times now and given away all but one copy to friends and family as I have wanted them to share the pleasure I experienced from reading this exceptional book.

2 people found this helpful

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The Underground Man Paperback – January 1, 1998

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