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Drowning in the Shallow End
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 14A confessional real life memoir about a secret obsession, revealing the depths to which people can sink, before they realise they’re in too deep…
For years, all Charlie Mellor wanted was to meet the alluring Pennie Fenton. Unfortunately for him, this wish came true. Captivation with the corrupting Miss Fenton quickly developed into an overpowering obsession which sent his life spiralling out of control and jeopardised everything he held dear.
It was because of Miss Fenton that he turned his back on his wife and children, lost touch with his friends, got involved with the occult, upset members of the Greek Underworld and even volunteered one of his own fingers to be crushed by a sadistic stranger. Before he could free himself from her curious charms, he would need to uncover her real identity and expose the deep, dark secret she had kept hidden from him. Only then, would he find the courage to rebuild himself through a bizarre appearance on national television, where in front of millions of viewers, he’d abandon all dignity and reveal the full extent of his downfall.
This candid tale chronicles one man’s epic struggle to free himself from a cruel and manipulative companion. Peppered with black humour, it unveils the damaging impact of any unyielding obsession. The memoir taps into the universal themes of human desire, infatuation and compulsive behaviour and is positioned as a tale of psychological intrigue. It includes irreverent observations on love, loss and the enormous void between these two. Only by the end of the book do readers see that nothing is quite what it seems and this is in fact, a modern day parable about the redeeming power of love.
‘Amusing and engaging. Full of intrigue… the hints at the drama to come work well to build to… an absolute shock for the reader. The twist in the plot is both clever and unexpected’.
‘Quirky, funny and surprisingly touching’.
'Mellor writes with a deft hand, his offbeat comedy has a light, wry touch, combined with a self-depreciating sense of irony that is utterly endearing’.
‘Conclusive proof that the truth really is stranger than fiction’.
‘An excellent narrative, one that is controlled and skilful’.
‘Cohesive and heartfelt… a confident and well-crafted memoir’.
If you like well written memoirs with a dark twist in the tale, you'll enjoy reading Drowning in the Shallow End.
For years, all Charlie Mellor wanted was to meet the alluring Pennie Fenton. Unfortunately for him, this wish came true. Captivation with the corrupting Miss Fenton quickly developed into an overpowering obsession which sent his life spiralling out of control and jeopardised everything he held dear.
It was because of Miss Fenton that he turned his back on his wife and children, lost touch with his friends, got involved with the occult, upset members of the Greek Underworld and even volunteered one of his own fingers to be crushed by a sadistic stranger. Before he could free himself from her curious charms, he would need to uncover her real identity and expose the deep, dark secret she had kept hidden from him. Only then, would he find the courage to rebuild himself through a bizarre appearance on national television, where in front of millions of viewers, he’d abandon all dignity and reveal the full extent of his downfall.
This candid tale chronicles one man’s epic struggle to free himself from a cruel and manipulative companion. Peppered with black humour, it unveils the damaging impact of any unyielding obsession. The memoir taps into the universal themes of human desire, infatuation and compulsive behaviour and is positioned as a tale of psychological intrigue. It includes irreverent observations on love, loss and the enormous void between these two. Only by the end of the book do readers see that nothing is quite what it seems and this is in fact, a modern day parable about the redeeming power of love.
‘Amusing and engaging. Full of intrigue… the hints at the drama to come work well to build to… an absolute shock for the reader. The twist in the plot is both clever and unexpected’.
‘Quirky, funny and surprisingly touching’.
'Mellor writes with a deft hand, his offbeat comedy has a light, wry touch, combined with a self-depreciating sense of irony that is utterly endearing’.
‘Conclusive proof that the truth really is stranger than fiction’.
‘An excellent narrative, one that is controlled and skilful’.
‘Cohesive and heartfelt… a confident and well-crafted memoir’.
If you like well written memoirs with a dark twist in the tale, you'll enjoy reading Drowning in the Shallow End.
- GenresAmazon
346 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Mellor
2 books5 followersCharlie Mellor was born in Lancashire in the UK, loves spicy fajitas, stand-up comedy and vinyl. A recovering catholic, he now lives in Lincolnshire with his wife and four children. Prior to his current job in training and development, he worked in the publishing industry, designing headlines for regional newspapers.
He would like it known that he no longer sees Pennie Fenton. She is not welcome at his house or in the general proximity of anyone he cares about. Because of her legacy, he has reluctantly been forced to change the names and details of many people in this book – in order to place them outside Pennie Fenton’s circle of influence. While it has taken Charlie until now to build up sufficient courage to admit to others that he knew her well; he can appreciate that many of his friends remain incredibly uncomfortable with such a declaration. He understands that for some, the cost of such a disclosure, would, even in these enlightened times, be far too great.
He would like it known that he no longer sees Pennie Fenton. She is not welcome at his house or in the general proximity of anyone he cares about. Because of her legacy, he has reluctantly been forced to change the names and details of many people in this book – in order to place them outside Pennie Fenton’s circle of influence. While it has taken Charlie until now to build up sufficient courage to admit to others that he knew her well; he can appreciate that many of his friends remain incredibly uncomfortable with such a declaration. He understands that for some, the cost of such a disclosure, would, even in these enlightened times, be far too great.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 7, 2013
I’d recommend this book to both non-fiction and fiction readers who like smart writing that is darkly comic and surprisingly touching. As the story unravels you see the devastating impact that any unyielding obsession can have. A clever, confident and well crafted memoir which you’ll remember for years. Personally I was less keen on the cover. Although it took me some time to read, it provided proof that, sometimes, real life can be stranger than fiction.
December 18, 2013
As with all good reads, this book has many layers and depths - easily enjoyable as a darkly comic memoir and again as a postmodern parable on life’s opportunities, relationships and how single minded obsession can almost ruin it all.
Mellor writes with a deft hand, his comedy has a light, wry touch, combined with a self-depreciating sense of irony that is utterly endearing. His observations and quips about his life and the people in his life are often hilarious, but delivered with a warmth and genuine affection that carries the reader along. Charlie’s almost helpless addiction to his own nemesis in the form of Pennie Fenton could very easily have been used as a catchall excuse for the writers, sometimes terribly selfish, behaviour, but thankfully the author avoids this trap, making no excuses and blaming no-one but himself. The later twist in the Pennie Fenton story arc I felt was a little contrived, but did not affect my enjoyment, and, if anything made a second reading that little bit extra special.
It is rare that I would recommend a book as highly as this one. It is genuinely funny, very well written and with a morality that stands out amongst others of the same genre. My only regret is that I did not read this many years ago when so much of my life could have been so different had it not been for my own personal Pennie Fenton.
Mellor writes with a deft hand, his comedy has a light, wry touch, combined with a self-depreciating sense of irony that is utterly endearing. His observations and quips about his life and the people in his life are often hilarious, but delivered with a warmth and genuine affection that carries the reader along. Charlie’s almost helpless addiction to his own nemesis in the form of Pennie Fenton could very easily have been used as a catchall excuse for the writers, sometimes terribly selfish, behaviour, but thankfully the author avoids this trap, making no excuses and blaming no-one but himself. The later twist in the Pennie Fenton story arc I felt was a little contrived, but did not affect my enjoyment, and, if anything made a second reading that little bit extra special.
It is rare that I would recommend a book as highly as this one. It is genuinely funny, very well written and with a morality that stands out amongst others of the same genre. My only regret is that I did not read this many years ago when so much of my life could have been so different had it not been for my own personal Pennie Fenton.
January 4, 2014
An unusual and intelligent memoir, filled with elements of black humour about one man’s inability to let go of the past. This twisted tale tells the build-up to the author’s destructive relationship with a cruel and manipulative companion; the impact that their deception created and the damage that one single secret caused for everyone who found out about it. The parts about a Scunthorpe pub based in the UK reminded me of Stephen Fry’s Moab is my Washpot, while other bits were more like the Diary of Adrian Mole. Difficult to classify but very interesting.
December 7, 2013
Not what I expected at all – but in a good way. I bought this after reading the description and thought it sounded intriguing. For the first couple of chapters it was very much like a straightforward memoir, but as you find out more about Pennie Fenton, it became clear this was no ordinary romance. The twist in the tale which comes about half way through the book was really unexpected and made this one of the most unusual books I’ve read in ages.
January 4, 2014
If you like your comedy black, then this book is essential reading. For me, any true story which starts a paragraph with “In the end, it turned out to be sixties’ icon Marianne Faithfull who finally got me back into drugs. Growing up, every rebellious schoolboy’s dream was to be corrupted by her and somehow I ended up actually achieving this ambition.” has my vote. Quirky, sensitive and well written.
January 4, 2014
Well written, peppered with dry humour and at times heart wrenching. If you are a parent, I guarantee that it will make you think about the state of your relationship with your own children. Could do with some shorter chapters but I’d still recommend this book to anyone who ever thought it was impossible to break free from something that is holding them back.
December 7, 2013
Truly an astounding read!
December 7, 2013
Straight forward no nonense excellent book!
December 7, 2013
One of the best authors I have seen lately!
December 7, 2013
recommend
December 7, 2013
Thumbs up this book rocks!
December 8, 2013
Books like this I am glad I found through Goodreads!
April 28, 2019
One slow burning tale of redemption.
February 2, 2020
Left or centre or what !! Absorbing stuff - reminds me of Red House Painters
January 4, 2014
There are a number of memoirs about drug addiction and if I’d known that some of Mellor’s ‘obsessive infatuation’ was with marijuana, I probably wouldn’t have bothered reading this book. HOWEVER I’m so glad I did. It is cleverly positioned like a work of fiction - as a tale of intrigue where you don’t know why he is acting the way he does until much later in the novel and keeps you guessing about his “secret relationship”. Unlike a lot of books in this genre which can become too descriptive or too self-pitying, Mellor delivers a humorous and self-depreciating account of his slow descent into dependency, gives us a valid explanation for how this happened and then reveals how he finally put his life back together. Touching, funny and at times profound. Stick with this book, because it gets better with each chapter.
December 7, 2013
I wouldn’t know where to begin in terms of how to position this unconventional book. Much more candid than the many so-called ‘misery memoirs’ out there. It is like Woody Allen meets Breaking Bad’s Walter White. Although it touches on things like the modern day fascination with celebrity it’s also very much a life affirming story about human relationships. Unique and memorable. There are plenty of funny parts in the book, but it is also quite sad in places. Thought provoking stuff which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Highly recommended – but watch out for Pennie Fenton!!
February 19, 2014
Charlie's obsession with Penton Fenton is definitely never a threat to Miss Fenton, she delights in manipulating Charlie and all his friends. So, please do not worry that this is a memoir about stalking.
The writing style of Charlie Mellor is like having a childhood best friend who takes your hand and off you two go skipping through life together. It is downright jaunty.
I hope Mr. Mellor becomes as fixated with writing as he was (is?) with Pennie Fenton!
The writing style of Charlie Mellor is like having a childhood best friend who takes your hand and off you two go skipping through life together. It is downright jaunty.
I hope Mr. Mellor becomes as fixated with writing as he was (is?) with Pennie Fenton!
February 23, 2015
A (minor) cult classic. Get hold of one of the original unedited blue-cover paperback versions of this bizarre book - much more complete. Agree with others that it does take a while to get into what is going on, but then... what a twist in the tale! A leveling, true story that keeps you guessing to the end. Highly recommended. Has nothing at all to do with swimming.
January 12, 2019
Not what I was expecting at all. By the time you get half way through the book you and discover who Pennie Fenton really is, you are in as deep as Charlie Mellor. A slow-burning book which requires some patience, but really pays off. Full of odd insights and quirky observations. (very UK centric). Recommended.
August 20, 2014
I'm very sorry to say that I didn't complete this book, which is a rarity for me. I always finish, even if the book is something I grow to hate. In this instance though I made an exception. What a bloody boring story. It was so monotonous and never seemed to end. Self indulgent twoddle!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews