Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was very disappointed in Hemingways Chair. A sad loser, devoted to his employer, gets messed over, loses job, girl, and
prospects. I'm a devoted Monty Python fan, and found this book
depressing and dull.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh for another 50 pages
Review: I will admit I was in love with the story right up to the ending. The one fault was the very brief conclusion to the story. Without giving too much away, I would have liked to have seen a better interaction between the hero, Martin, and the American. A simple letter with a newspaper caption left me wanting more closure between the two characters. But alas, instead I am left with a hollow vacuum, wondering what happended between the two characters after the novel had ended. If it was Palin's decision to leave that tale up to the imagination of the reader, then so be it. Great characterization from the leads to the most insignificant. Palin continues to be the quiet genious of the Python writers.
Rating: 
Summary: Summertime Read
Review: I've been buying copies of this to hand out to friends in search of a good summertime read. It's wonderful fun, and I can almost picture it as the movie it deserves to be. They should stock this at the Hemingway House in Key West, but they don't. Instead, create a bit of fun for yourself. Make yourself a Cuba Libre, grab this book and find yourself a hammock. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Summertime Read
Review: I've been buying copies of this to hand out to friends in search of a good summertime read. It's wonderful fun, and I can almost picture it as the movie it deserves to be. They should stock this at the Hemingway House in Key West, but they don't. Instead, create a bit of fun for yourself. Make yourself a Cuba Libre, grab this book and find yourself a hammock. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Palin's first novel is written with humor, that's "human."
Review: If only it was possible, I'd love to give Martin, the hero of Michael Palin's first novel, a great big hug. The characters and their experiences are described with honesty, and remain "human" throughout the novel to its end. Aside from some terms and phrases better understood by his readers in England, "Hemingway's Chair" is a delight. It's full of touching moments and the sweet humor that us Palin fans have adored time and again.
Rating:
Summary: No Python can beat THIS!
Review: M. Palin's book is one of the best books I've ever read. The way he discribes what he sees made me want to move to Theston. He seems to choose every word carefully to enable you to see the world as he sees it. Lovable caracters and the time to enjoy them! Just sweet! Go, get the book and dream away!! It is even better than spending the afternoon in front of the telly watching Monty Python!
Rating: 
Summary: Dreary walk through English life
Review: Michael Palin plays the English suburban characture so well when on the big screen and particularly within the framework of Python. Unfortunately it doesn't work in the book which did not keep my attention well. It tends to drone on with mild distraction and unsatisfying end. I barely raised the corners of my mouth to smile let alone laugh but obviously this was not the book's intention. What was the intention? a peep into a middle class suburban postman's life? Very possibly, but it did nothing for me Im afraid.
Rating: 
Summary: Palin's Book is a Fine First Effort
Review: Michael Palin's book, "Hemingway's Chair" paints an amusing portrait of the lives of several people in the fictional town of Theston. Palin's descriptions of each character were good enough that I could almost see each person in the story. The plot is a funny one. Unfortunately, it takes over half the book before anything starts to happen. People expecting a Monty Python-esque "hit you in the face" kind of pace will be disappointed. There is a reference to the late Princess Diana which makes it obvious this book was written some time ago. It is only just now reaching the United States. I look forward to Mr. Palin's next novel. Hopefully he will pick up the pace.
Rating:
Summary: Snoozer
Review: Palin turns a nice phrase a few -- and I do mean few -- times in ways that remind you of his wonderful wit, but overall this is a pretty simplistic plot-driven story with a fairly uninteresting plot and characters that don't hold your attention for a moment after you put the book down. Put another way, for the last 80 pages the only thing I felt was an earnest (no pun intended) desire to be done with the book so I could move on to something else -- hardly a good sign.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle and quirky book with a lot to love
Review: Palin was always the "lamb" of the Pythons, more quiet humor than the in-your-face bomastics of Chapman or Cleese, and it shows in this winning 1st novel. Centered on a "rite of passage" of one Martin Sproale - mild Postal worker and closet Hemingway buff. As an outsider comes in and turns his world (centered around the post office) wonk, Martin turns to an American Hemingway scholar and evokes the spirit for himself. Charming as can be (and even laugh out loud funny), one senses the real Palin throughout these pages.
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