Please note that this title is currently out of stock but is available for pre-order. While we don’t have an exact publishing date yet, it is expected to be available within approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
£9.99
When a bomb explodes beneath his bed, Samson O’Christ—a penniless philosophy graduate—finds himself catapulted from his quiet life in Cambridge, England, to a strange and dangerous world he never imagined. Awakening in Washington DC, battered and broken, Samson embarks on a bizarre mission to a town called Nothing Much in Areola County, sent by his wealthy and ruthless father to confront a blackmailing unknown half-brother’s mother.
But what follows is no ordinary quest. Tossed from buses, robbed, beaten, and left for dead, Samson navigates a surreal underbelly of eccentric outcasts—from gun-toting Jehovah’s Witnesses to a Danny DeVito lookalike peddling fake faces. Amid off-key opera and wild encounters, Samson’s journey becomes a twisted, darkly comic odyssey of alternative truths, missed opportunities, and unexpected revelations.
Michael Lawrence, acclaimed for his bold creativity and sharp wit, brings you a story that is as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. With the precision of a photographer, the nerve of a hustler, and the raw humour of one who has seen the carnivals behind the scenes, Lawrence invites you to step carefully into a world where the bizarre is just the beginning.
Dive into The Godawful Misfortunes of Samson O’Christ—a brilliant, darkly comic exploration of life’s strange turns and the roads we never dared take.
MICHAEL LAWRENCE has been a graphic designer, a London photographer hustling shots of pop stars and politicians in the carnivorous ‘60s, a printer with ink-stained hands, an antiques dealer pushing relics of dead empires, and a painter bent on chasing visions across canvas and screen. Somewhere in the wreckage he wrote forty-odd books for children and young people—stories strange enough to be smuggled into more than twenty languages and broadcast across the planet.
One of them, Young Dracula, mutated into a television beast that refused to die, running for years on the nation’s screens. He studied at the same art school as Freddie Mercury, Ronnie Wood, and Pete Townshend, but while they roared into stadiums, Lawrence slipped sideways into the back alleys of art and imagination, where the real hallucinations were waiting.
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Alice M. –
Absolutely unforgettable! Samson’s misadventures are hilariously absurd yet strangely thoughtful — part dark comedy, part existential road trip. The characters are so bizarre you can’t help but laugh out loud, and Michael Lawrence’s wit kept me turning the pages. A brilliant mix of heart and chaos.
Jamal R. –
This book was a delightful surprise. Samson’s journey from Cambridge to the strange underbelly of rural America is wild and unpredictable. Some scenes made me gasp, others made me chuckle, and a few stuck with me long after I finished reading. A darkly comic gem
Priya S –
If you love oddball characters and narratives that break free from the ordinary, this is a must-read. Samson’s encounters — from off-key opera to unconventional townsfolk — made for an outrageous and thought-provoking story. It’s humorous, surreal, and surprisingly poignant. Thanks to Foreshore Publishing for the Book Club review copy.
Mark Dale –
A rollicking ride! The plot twists kept me guessing, and the humour — at once dark and clever — made this one of the most entertaining books our club has tackled. I went in expecting a quirky read; I came out appreciating its deeper reflections on identity and misfortune. (Book Club member).
Susan L. –
Thanks to Foreshore for the (Book Club review copy). Lawrence’s voice is razor-sharp and uniquely funny. The absurdity of Samson’s fate — from near disasters to his bizarre mission — was beautifully written and intensely engaging.
Connor B. –
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book blew me away. It’s hilarious, weird, and strangely insightful all at once. Samson’s odyssey felt like a commentary on life’s unpredictability, wrapped in off-beat humour. Definitely sparked great discussion at our book club!