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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
How much do I like Steven Boykey Sidley? I purchased my print copy of Imperfect Solo from a bookstore in South Africa when it was first published. because I didn't want to wait for the US edition. Steven has a way of writing about men of a certain age undergoing changes in their lives and wrestling with those changes in ways that sometimes verge on existential angst. But with humor and sensitivity and never maudlin. This isn't a phrase I use lightly but but Imperfect Solo and, indeed, all of Steven's books speak to me.
Got to admit, I have a thing for a fictional bad boy, but with certain caveats. A bad boy who does the outrageous things that a hero or a nice guy can't get away with is great, but they have to have a certain charm. I thought Meyer illustrated this really well. Yes, he is self obsessed and in the grip of a rather narcissistic mid life crisis, but I couldn't help but be charmed by his worldview developing throughout the novel. Meyer is suffering from a kind of existential dread brought on mainly by the realisation that he will probably never be a great jazz musician, his 40th birthday, family issues and worries that he's made all the wrong decisions, particularly about separating from his first wife, the mother of his son Innocent. Throughout this he is aided by his friend who is also a psychologist, Farzad.
This is black comedy but not completely black, Meyer is surrounded by a great cast of family and friends who end in some rather funny situations for him. I loved how his relationship with Farzad was depicted, they are utterly horrible to each other, trading racist insults but it's so natural. Meyer's father is also a great character. Yes, some tragic things happen, but at the same time the parts with the family are warmly depicted. Although Meyer is a bit of a misogynist, this is pointed out by the women in the novel, who give as good as they get. I particularly liked the meta reference that one of the female characters is doing a thesis on late 20th century male novelists and is quite dismissive of the worldview of some of them!
I found this a very entertaining, accomplished novel. It's philosophical, but this is handled with a light enough touch that it doesn't become too preachy.
This is black comedy but not completely black, Meyer is surrounded by a great cast of family and friends who end in some rather funny situations for him. I loved how his relationship with Farzad was depicted, they are utterly horrible to each other, trading racist insults but it's so natural. Meyer's father is also a great character. Yes, some tragic things happen, but at the same time the parts with the family are warmly depicted. Although Meyer is a bit of a misogynist, this is pointed out by the women in the novel, who give as good as they get. I particularly liked the meta reference that one of the female characters is doing a thesis on late 20th century male novelists and is quite dismissive of the worldview of some of them!
I found this a very entertaining, accomplished novel. It's philosophical, but this is handled with a light enough touch that it doesn't become too preachy.
Got to admit, I have a thing for a fictional bad boy, but with certain caveats. A bad boy who does the outrageous things that a hero or a nice guy can't get away with is great, but they have to have a certain charm. I thought Meyer illustrated this really well. Yes, he is self obsessed and in the grip of a rather narcissistic mid life crisis, but I couldn't help but be charmed by his worldview developing throughout the novel. Meyer is suffering from a kind of existential dread brought on mainly by the realisation that he will probably never be a great jazz musician, his 40th birthday, family issues and worries that he's made all the wrong decisions, particularly about separating from his first wife, the mother of his son Innocent. Throughout this he is aided by his friend who is also a psychologist, Farzad.
This is black comedy but not completely black, Meyer is surrounded by a great cast of family and friends who end in some rather funny situations for him. I loved how his relationship with Farzad was depicted, they are utterly horrible to each other, trading racist insults but it's so natural. Meyer's father is also a great character. Yes, some tragic things happen, but at the same time the parts with the family are warmly depicted. Although Meyer is a bit of a misogynist, this is pointed out by the women in the novel, who give as good as they get. I particularly liked the meta reference that one of the female characters is doing a thesis on late 20th century male novelists and is quite dismissive of the worldview of some of them!
I found this a very entertaining, accomplished novel. It's philosophical, but this is handled with a light enough touch that it doesn't become too preachy.
This is black comedy but not completely black, Meyer is surrounded by a great cast of family and friends who end in some rather funny situations for him. I loved how his relationship with Farzad was depicted, they are utterly horrible to each other, trading racist insults but it's so natural. Meyer's father is also a great character. Yes, some tragic things happen, but at the same time the parts with the family are warmly depicted. Although Meyer is a bit of a misogynist, this is pointed out by the women in the novel, who give as good as they get. I particularly liked the meta reference that one of the female characters is doing a thesis on late 20th century male novelists and is quite dismissive of the worldview of some of them!
I found this a very entertaining, accomplished novel. It's philosophical, but this is handled with a light enough touch that it doesn't become too preachy.
This book is fun to read and full of food for thought.
I liked the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC
I liked the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC
An anti-hero equivalent to Martin Amis and Joseph Heller's characters; this is a story that doesn't sweeten the ugly sides of life, an authentic product of 21st century. Sidley fuses profound emotional situations with light-hearted ones, solemn tone with humourous moments; "Imperfect solo" is a perfect imperfect dive into the psyche of a hero that doesn't have everything figured out, life is after all but a jazz solo.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
An anti-hero equivalent to Martin Amis and Joseph Heller's characters; this is a story that doesn't sweeten the ugly sides of life, an authentic product of 21st century. Sidley fuses profound emotional situations with light-hearted ones, solemn tone with humourous moments; "Imperfect solo" is a perfect imperfect dive into the psyche of a hero that doesn't have everything figured out, life is after all but a jazz solo.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
This book is fun to read and full of food for thought.
I liked the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC
I liked the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes