About the Author

Mark Barrowcliffe worked as a journalist and a stand-up comedian before writing his first hit novel, Girlfriend 44. He has written two other acclaimed comic novels, Lucky Dog and Infidelity for First-Time Fathers. He now lives in Brighton, England.

Reviews

Funny . . . [Barrowcliffe s] gently knowing style makes the pain of identification a pleasure. Entertainment Weekly
Mark Barrowcliffe s humorous, self-deprecating memoir of his misspent youth, The Elfish Gene, is another welcome addition to the growing nerdsploitation genre. Associated Press
Hilarious, unbelievably well-remembered . . . begs a movie adaptation. . . . Barrowcliffe writes . . . with uncommon insight. The Seattle Times
In the best tradition of British humor. . . . Laugh-out-loud funny. The Christian Science Monitor
Wonderfully captures the insensitivity, insecurity and selfishness of the adolescent male. Publishers Weekly, starred review"

"Funny . . . [Barrowcliffe's] gently knowing style makes the pain of identification a pleasure."--"Entertainment Weekly"
"Mark Barrowcliffe's humorous, self-deprecating memoir of his misspent youth, 'The Elfish Gene, ' is another welcome addition to the growing 'nerdsploitation' genre."--Associated Press
"Hilarious, unbelievably well-remembered . . . begs a movie adaptation. . . . Barrowcliffe writes . . . with uncommon insight."--"The Seattle Times"
"In the best tradition of British humor. . . . Laugh-out-loud funny."--"The Christian Science Monitor"
"Wonderfully captures the insensitivity, insecurity and selfishness of the adolescent male."--"Publishers Weekly," starred review

Adult/High School-In this autobiography, Barrowcliffe tells the story of a self-proclaimed nerd living in 1970s Coventry, England; Dungeons & Dragons; and the boys who played it. He provides a humorous look into the world of fantasy role-playing at a time when computer RPGs didn't exist and people were forced to use their imaginations. He recounts his foray into the game, his struggle to belong, and what ultimately led to his "growing up." The writing is often self-deprecating and combines views on the city with detailed descriptions of the gaming sessions. Despite-or, in part, because of-the long descriptions of gaming, this book will appeal to those interested in the RPG phenomenon. The author's character development leaves readers with a strong sense of who these boys were and why they played the game. This book is ideal for anyone who is into fantasy role-playing or interested in the cultural and social implications of such games.-Kelliann Bogan, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Funny . . . [Barrowcliffe s] gently knowing style makes the pain of identification a pleasure. Entertainment Weekly
Mark Barrowcliffe s humorous, self-deprecating memoir of his misspent youth, The Elfish Gene, is another welcome addition to the growing nerdsploitation genre. Associated Press
Hilarious, unbelievably well-remembered . . . begs a movie adaptation. . . . Barrowcliffe writes . . . with uncommon insight. The Seattle Times
In the best tradition of British humor. . . . Laugh-out-loud funny. The Christian Science Monitor
Wonderfully captures the insensitivity, insecurity and selfishness of the adolescent male. Publishers Weekly, starred review"
"Funny . . . [Barrowcliffe's] gently knowing style makes the pain of identification a pleasure."--"Entertainment Weekly"
"Mark Barrowcliffe's humorous, self-deprecating memoir of his misspent youth, 'The Elfish Gene, ' is another welcome addition to the growing 'nerdsploitation' genre."--Associated Press
"Hilarious, unbelievably well-remembered . . . begs a movie adaptation. . . . Barrowcliffe writes . . . with uncommon insight."--"The Seattle Times"
"In the best tradition of British humor. . . . Laugh-out-loud funny."--"The Christian Science Monitor"
"Wonderfully captures the insensitivity, insecurity and selfishness of the adolescent male."--"Publishers Weekly," starred review