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katykelly 's review for:
A Fraction of the Whole
by Steve Toltz
it took 700 pages for the story to explain the enigma of the opening chapter. And I was with it through every page. I don't often choose to read such a long book (for one they are too heavy to lug back and forth to work!), but I was hooked on this from the unusual opening onwards. A sprawling yet closely-written saga of one very eccentric Australian family that you can't help but want to know more about. And a book whose structure is both complicated but yet simple, stories within stories, back and forth, referring to itself, part of itself, and a Whole while remaining a Fraction. So glad I read it.
Now... how to summarise? It's a book of family history really, the Deans, who we learn at the start are somewhat notorious around Australia. Why, takes rather a long read to determine. Jasper Dean is in prison, his father Martin a hated man in his own country, his uncle Terry a much-loved hero. Just what on earth happened to bring this family such notoriety is a long story. And Jasper, along with Martin, tells it.
Sharing the narrative through storytelling, diaries and letters, the Dean family saga is completely absorbing, frequently hilarious and intimate in its exploration of what makes the Dean men tick. I don't think I need say more, as it's a pretty twisty story that encompasses several elements that you can discover for yourself.
I was hugely impressed that this debut was shortlisted for the Man Booker. I'd call it a worthy winner any day (though I loved The White Tiger, the actual winner that year). Assured, confident and fascinating, I was sorry to leave the Deans at the end of the book. I could have read about them for far longer.
If you aren't put off by long reads, I highly recommend this. It's not difficult, and won't feel as long as it looks.
Now... how to summarise? It's a book of family history really, the Deans, who we learn at the start are somewhat notorious around Australia. Why, takes rather a long read to determine. Jasper Dean is in prison, his father Martin a hated man in his own country, his uncle Terry a much-loved hero. Just what on earth happened to bring this family such notoriety is a long story. And Jasper, along with Martin, tells it.
Sharing the narrative through storytelling, diaries and letters, the Dean family saga is completely absorbing, frequently hilarious and intimate in its exploration of what makes the Dean men tick. I don't think I need say more, as it's a pretty twisty story that encompasses several elements that you can discover for yourself.
I was hugely impressed that this debut was shortlisted for the Man Booker. I'd call it a worthy winner any day (though I loved The White Tiger, the actual winner that year). Assured, confident and fascinating, I was sorry to leave the Deans at the end of the book. I could have read about them for far longer.
If you aren't put off by long reads, I highly recommend this. It's not difficult, and won't feel as long as it looks.