Well it took slightly longer than it should have, but I finally finished title #11 (Water for Elephants) in my 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge, and I’m moving quickly on to the next one, the 711-page veritable tome A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Tolz
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2008 this is Australian author Tolz’s debut novel. I know little about the novel other than it’s been raved about all over the place (see review links at the foot of this post). In a story that spans the globe, this novel follows the relationship between a father and son, both of whom are somewhat eccentric. The official blurb, which can describe things a lot better than I can, is as follows:
As he recollects the events that led to his father’s demise, Jasper recounts a boyhood of outrageous schemes and shocking discoveries – about his infamous outlaw uncle Terry, his mysteriously absent European mother, and Martin’s constant losing battle to make a lasting mark on the world he so disdains. It’s a story that takes them from the Australian bush to the cafes of Paris, from the Thai jungle to strip clubs, asylums, labyrinths and criminal lairs, and from the highs of first love to the lows of failed ambition. The result is a rollercoaster ride from obscurity to infamy, and the moving, memorable story of a father and son whose spiritual symmetry transcends all their many shortcomings.
As I seem to enjoy stories that centre on father/son relationships, I’m really looking forward to reading this. I just hope it doesn’t take too long to get through. As always I’ll let you know how I get on.
Additional links of interest:
Official Fraction of the Whole website
A Fraction of the Whole Video Trailer
Steve Tolz’s website
Guardian Books review *may contain spoilers
The Independent Review *may contain spoilers
Times Online review *may contain spoilers
Esquire review *may contain spoilers
About Rob
Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul" - 
Hello,
I found your blog through ‘A Novel Challenge’. I like how everything is so organised here! And I added you straight to my Google Reader after I read this: “book-sniffing weirdos that loves to be surrounded by dead trees”.
As for ‘A Fraction of the Whole’, I’ve also been meaning to read it for a while, but I reserved a library copy and I’m still 5/9 on the waiting list. Hm. Anyway, keep up the excellent blogging =]
says:
Tuesday – How nice are you? REALLY nice! Thank you so much for the kind words. I still have a number of things to fix out but it’s getting there – very much your 5/9 on the waiting list for Fraction of the Whole. I don’t want to make you wait any more harrowing than it is but YOU REALLY GOT TO READ IT. It’s un-put-a-down-able (although I did have to put it down for the 24 Read-a-Thon
))
Anyway thank you for adding me to your Reader. I hope I can match and exceed your expectations.
Warmest regards from one ‘book sniffing wierdo’ to another
Rob