The story, when it eventually begins, is sort-of-autobiographical and the first third is truly heartbreaking, being the story of the author's parents both dying, very close together, and his bringing up - in his 20s - his seven year old brother "Tofe" (for Christopher). This was well written and very interesting.
Unfortunately, the story moves to California where they produce a magazine, and this part truly is boring (as the author himself admits in his "rules and suggestions"). The story becomes less about the interesting Tofe, which is a shame.
Doreen didn't particularly like the book, which was a "pretty smart-arse book" written in a very knowing way.
Jean had also read this book, and like Doreen she had bought it on the strength of reading excerpts. Unlike Doreen, however, Jean did not read the non-story bits at the beginning until she finished the book - and maybe this made her feel less negative about it. She agreed that the magazine story was very dull, and so was the account of the author's attempt to get onto a TV show.
The book read very true-to-life - the story of the 20 year olds' reminded her of intelligent people of this age she'd known some years ago and felt very accurate. True, they could also be irritating but she enjoyed this aspect of the book.
The first part of the book was very moving, as was the story of the
author's effective single-parenthood. Jean recommends this sometimes very
funny book.
Doreen 27/08/00
By the same author