by Spencerfiction
To have a piece compared to Roy Clarke, well! Now you mention it, I am reminded a little of Uncle Mort, who did have a potting shed. I hope I wasn't unconsciously referencing that material. I think Uncle Mort was sharp as a tack and used his allotment as a refuge from home life. My Solly Tree is a rather plodding and individual character, (more of a grotesque in the Tom Sharp mode than Clarke) that will be confused and funny. I want him to be regarded sympathetically by the reader, so he will win, or think he's won, more often than not. He regards the potting shed/allotment as more of a concentration camp rather than a refuge and is always trying to dig himself out and get back into Mandy Tree's favour. The names are deliberate and I hope to return to this character from time to time, as I think his situation and mindset is fertile ground (if you forgive the pun). I realise that this story would not appeal to the more insular of the American reader, but being an amateur writer keen to expand the subjects I can word paint, I hoped this piece might broaden more than my humble horizons.
I get the humour entirely. But then I'm English, living firmly in the area where you're writing about.
This is worthy of being compared to something by Roy Clarke.
That's all that matters, it's funny, VERY funny. Keep it up. I did have some difficulty understanding the story now and then, when I took my time and paid attention, I had not issues and/or skimmed past the difficult parts. I'm not English! I'm not expected to get EVERYTHING, nor do I demand that you cater to me. You're an awesome writer, just keep going.
You wrote the story using English folke that can't seem to speak English. While I got the gist of your tale of woe it missed the mark of being entertaining. I felt bad for him because he seemed to have a mental handicap and maybe the IQ of a pea. I wanted to like him and feel sorry for him but I just couldn't. I'm not sure how he got dressed in the morning. And his wife was simply another cheating slut. Sorry, while I wanted to like this I just couldn't . It was simply too convoluted to enjoy.