by Andrew Sean Greer
Little Brown, 2017. 263 pages, General Fiction
It’s never easy to receive a wedding invitation to an ex’s happy nuptials, but little known novelist Arthur Less decides he needs to be as far away as possible when his ex ties the knot. To top it off, he’s turning 50 and not feeling thrilled about both aging and what he’s accomplished by this time in his life. So, what better time to plan a trip around the world? He accepts some odd speaking and teaching engagements, knowing full well that most people don’t know his writing or anything about his work, but the travel is the real appeal for him, the chance to get away, not so much the publicity. After the jobs conclude, he plans to take a little soul searching expedition, but what he finds along the way is unexpected.
This is one of those books that I just could not put down! It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017 and it is clear why as you read why it was chosen. I couldn’t wait to see what Arthur Less got himself into next, laugh along with the sad hilarity that is his life, and read the lyrical, lovely prose. The story is told in flashbacks to his youth and to modern day Arthur as he travels the world, and the transitions are so well placed and fluid that it creates a real, intimate connection with Arthur and his journey. Part travel story, part love story, and full of heart, I highly recommend this engaging and relatable tale.
RC
1 comment:
This is a quirky, beautifully written story that has the fulfillment and resolution of a "coming of age" story, even though it's about a man who is turning 50. Arthur is sometimes a hard character to relate to or sympathize with, he has experienced a mixture of privilege and hardship in his life, and he doesn't often think of others before himself. But his story still wends its way from misadventure to adventure and in the end, a meaningful circle has been drawn from his life. I enjoyed this, especially the writing, which was often gorgeous.
Post a Comment