Quite Ugly One Morning
Encyclopedia
Quite Ugly One Morning is Christopher Brookmyre
's first novel
which introduces Jack Parlabane, the writer's most used character.
It was published to popular and critical acclaim, winning the inaugural First Blood Award for the best first crime novel of the year.
Jack Parlabane is a Glaswegian journalist, who has just returned to Scotland from LA after finding out the hard way that someone wanted him dead.
The book takes its name from a song from Warren Zevon's 1991 album Mr. Bad Example
.
It was followed by the best seller Country of the Blind
in 1997 which again involved Jack Parlabane.
for the ITV
network. It was dramatised by Stuart Hepburn and directed by Sam Miller
. Irish actor James Nesbitt
played Parlabane, and spoke with his own accent instead of Parlabane's Glaswegian one. The producers had originally wanted Scottish actor Douglas Henshall
to play Parlabane, but they were overruled by ITV's commissioners (Henshall had previously played Parlabane in a radio adaptation of the short story "Bampot Central"). Eddie Marsan
, Annette Crosbie
, Daniela Nardini
and Mark Benton
also starred. The drama was broadcast by ITV on 5 September 2004.
Christopher Brookmyre
Christopher Brookmyre is a Scottish novelist whose novels mix comedy, politics, social comment and action with a strong narrative. He has been referred to as a Tartan Noir author...
's first novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
which introduces Jack Parlabane, the writer's most used character.
It was published to popular and critical acclaim, winning the inaugural First Blood Award for the best first crime novel of the year.
Jack Parlabane is a Glaswegian journalist, who has just returned to Scotland from LA after finding out the hard way that someone wanted him dead.
Plot
After renting a flat from a friend in Edinburgh (which just happens to be opposite a police station), investigating the unpleasant murder of a gambling medic in the flat below proves too much to resist and Parblane soon finds himself involved with a number of characters including Darren, a hit-man from Essex, the dead doctor's ex-wife, a lesbian detective constable with attitude and crooked hospital trust administrator, Stephen Lime.The book takes its name from a song from Warren Zevon's 1991 album Mr. Bad Example
Mr. Bad Example
Mr. Bad Example is an album by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 1991. .-Track listing:All tracks composed by Warren Zevon, except where indicated.#"Finishing Touches" – 4:05#"Suzie Lightning" – 4:04...
.
It was followed by the best seller Country of the Blind
Country of the Blind
Published in 1997 Country of the Blind is Christopher Brookmyre's second novel. Following on from the adventures in Quite Ugly One Morning, the storyline fast forwards to find Parlabane living in domestic bliss and about to get hitched...
in 1997 which again involved Jack Parlabane.
Television adaptation
In 2003, the novel was adapted into a television film by Clerkenwell FilmsClerkenwell Films
Clerkenwell Films is an award-winning British film and television production company, which has produced several drama and comedy programmes for the BBC, the ITV network, Channel 4 and E4 in the United Kingdom. It was co-founded by the actor John Hannah and the producer Murray Ferguson...
for the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network. It was dramatised by Stuart Hepburn and directed by Sam Miller
Sam Miller
Sam Miller is an English television director. He is best known for his work on the BBC television dramas Cardiac Arrest and This Life. -Filmography:-Actor - Filmography:...
. Irish actor James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher like his father, so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster...
played Parlabane, and spoke with his own accent instead of Parlabane's Glaswegian one. The producers had originally wanted Scottish actor Douglas Henshall
Douglas Henshall
Douglas James Henshall is a Scottish actor probably best known for his role as Professor Nick Cutter in the British science fiction series Primeval.-Early life:...
to play Parlabane, but they were overruled by ITV's commissioners (Henshall had previously played Parlabane in a radio adaptation of the short story "Bampot Central"). Eddie Marsan
Eddie Marsan
Edward Maurice C. "Eddie" Marsan is an English actor.-Early life:Marsan was born in Stepney, London to a working class family; his father was a lorry driver and his mother a school dinner lady and teacher's assistant...
, Annette Crosbie
Annette Crosbie
Annette Crosbie, OBE is a Scottish character actor.-Life and career:Crosbie was born in Gorebridge, Midlothian, Scotland, to Presbyterian parents who disapproved of her becoming an actor. Nevertheless, she joined the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School while still in her teens...
, Daniela Nardini
Daniela Nardini
Daniela Nardini is a Scottish actress of Italian ancestry, best known for playing Anna Forbes in the BBC Two television series This Life. The role earned her a BAFTA Best Actress award in 1998 and also earned her a Scottish BAFTA...
and Mark Benton
Mark Benton
Mark Benton is an English actor, perhaps most famous for his roles as Eddie in Early Doors and Howard in Northern Lights.-Life and career:Benton was born in Guisborough, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England....
also starred. The drama was broadcast by ITV on 5 September 2004.