The Lover’s Dictionary: A Smart Love Story with Heart

The first thing I think of when I consider The Lover’s Dictionary is, “why did I not think of that?” A heartfelt love story written in an incredibly unique way, this is the first David Levithan novel I have read and I will be reading books on his backlist.

Basically, Levithan tells the story of a couple through dictionary definitions for select words. The words are alphabetized; the story is not in chronological order. As the story unfolds, readers piece together what happened to the narrator and his girlfriend. For example:

abstraction, n.

Love is one kind of abstraction. And then there are those nights when I sleep alone, when I curl into a pillow that isn’t you, when I hear the tiptoe sounds that aren’t yours. It’s not as if I can conjure you there completely. I must embrace the idea of you instead. (p. 5)

Although quite simple in concept, Levithan’s smart prose elevates the story–as does the realistic emotion behind it. His definition for “livid,” which I won’t put here but is an upcoming featured quote, is spot on.

The cover and title for the book are fantastic, as well. I love the simple yet meaningful cover, as well as the straightforward title. The idea here is pretty original, so it doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. I like that this mirrors the writing style. Although it has strong emotion, it conveys these feelings in a very simple manner.

I recommend The Lover’s Dictionary to anyone who wants a quick read that packs a punch. It’s creative, it’s well-written, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dancing Naked in Dixie: A Charming Story with Heart

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a fun, engaging read that has a lot of heart. For full disclosure, I consider Lauren Clark to be a friend of mind. Given that fact, you can imagine my nervousness before I read her first book, Stay Tuned. I hadn’t read any of her writing before and was worried I wouldn’t like it. Given my commitment to honestly on Trees and Ink, I knew that lying about my reaction was completely out. I’m sure, then, that you can appreciate my joy–and, let’s be honest, my relief–when I found Stay Tuned to be a wonderful read! (You can find my review of it here). When Lauren announced the release of Dancing Naked in Dixie I couldn’t wait to crack it open.

My anticipation was not in vain. Dancing Naked in Dixie is a well-written, charming novel that had me literally laughing out loud. The story is about Julia Sullivan, a travel writer from New York City whose glamorous trip to Bali is replaced with a ticket to Eufaula, Alabama. When forced with the decision between writing about a small southern town, which she would rather dance naked than visit, and forfeiting her job, Julia boards the plane to Atlanta and her life changes forever. In Eufaula she finds a different world, one that is both confusing and intriguing but captures her heart nonetheless.

First and foremost, the title and cover are fantastic. Dancing Naked in Dixie is not a title that people will quickly forget, and  the cover design and formatting throughout the book are spot on.

Like the cover and title, the characterization of the South is wonderful. I’ve only driven through Alabama, but from my time living in South Carolina I can definitely imagine all of the little details that Clark has included. From “bless your heart!” to the passive-aggressiveness of southern belles, these details really paint a great picture of the South. So, too, does Clark’s depiction of the town of Eufaula. The descriptions of the town and its many historic buildings are detailed, but not so detailed that they are difficult to read; Clark aptly creates a world that is rooted in fact while leaving the reader’s imagination a bit of room to play.

I was also very happy with the protagonist. She is the kind of woman whom I want to be friends with, which makes it so much easier to root for her when those aforementioned passive-aggressive southern belles go into attack mode. Other than simply liking Julia’s character, I love that readers see her change. There were two moments, in particular, where I made a mental note that her paradigm was shifting. She begins to see the world in a new way, and it’s exciting to watch.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dancing Naked in Dixie to anyone who is looking for a fun, light, but heartfelt read. Make sure to put this one in your beach bag before taking off on vacation! In fact, Lauren has been kind enough to furnish two copies of her book for two lucky Trees and Ink readers! The details of the giveaway will be posted a little later :)

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Signs of Life: Overcoming Tragedy

 

Signs of Life is an emotionally overwhelming book. The memoir follows the life of Natalie Taylor after the death of her husband. Twenty-four years old and five months pregnant, she has to start a new life as a widow and a mother. As a fellow twenty-four year old, I found her strength inspiring and her willingness to admit her despair refreshing.

I’ve seen several other reviews comment that Taylor is not a writer and that the book gets boring and repetitive. While I will be the first to admit that it could have been edited down and maintained its impact, Taylor notes in the beginning that the contents are taken from journal entries–not written out after she decided to publish her experiences. This, I believe, is why I was able to connect so well with the story. Even though I have never been married, never been pregnant, and never had to take care of a newborn on my own, I understood the challenges that Taylor faced because her writing is so honest. After finishing the first chapter in tears I noted that this is not a read in public kind of book.

The value of the raw quality of the writing goes deeper than an emotional connection (although, honestly, that’s what readers should look for in great books). Because she uses journal entries that were written during the events that unfold, she is able to showcase her personality and really dive into all aspects of her experience, not just her grief. Taylor is certainly grieving and bitter–as any woman in her position should be–but she is also compassionate, funny, and gaining a new understanding of the value of life and the love that her family holds for her.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It has certainly furthered my fascination with memoirs and I do believe that I have come away from it with a better understanding of life. However, there are a few things that I found difficult to process while reading. First, there is a multitude of characters in this book and they all seem to have nicknames. Keeping them straight was extremely difficult–I almost mapped it out on the post-it that I use as a bookmark. Second, it was a bit long. Although the passage of time is clearly marked, I found it difficult to adjust to the flow of the story. Some of the events or thoughts seemed a bit disjointed, but this may be due to the nature of the book.

To be honest, the book fell a little flat in its second half. However, I am glad that I read it and I do recommend it to anyone looking for a realistically inspiring story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Magicians: Expertly Crafted Nostalgia

A guest post by Kate Parnell

More so than any other novel I’ve ever read, The Magicians toes the line between “fantasy” and “literary fiction,” a controversial yet pervasive dichotomy. Like the trapeze artists in Cirque du Soleil, Lev Grossman creates a tangible tension that permeates each and every page. The book is brilliant. It’s incredibly dark without ever being desolate. It’s funny without being slapstick or hokey. It’s creepy but it’s not trying to be Wes Craven-y. It’s fast paced but never leaves the reader behind.  In short, the novel is more than capable and competent. Grossman wields literary devices the way Botticelli wielded chiaroscuro; like a master.

I will say though, as blown away by the novel as I am, as ready to build a shrine at Grossman’s feet as I am, I really don’t want to over hype the book. Did you read Harry Potter and fixate on the fact that, at thirteen, none of the boys were having dirty thoughts? That was weird, right? Did you hate the movies? Did you read Narnia and think, while the general stuff was good, it was too good to be true and who really needs a Lion-Jesus telling you what to do anyway? Did you read Lord of the Rings and love it, but wonder why Tolkien had to spend four chapters describing a second cousin of Aragorn’s leaf brooch? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you may love this novel. If not, pick it up and see for yourself.

Characters: The problem with most older fantasy novels is that the protagonist is the Herculean type hero, except not as fun as Kevin Sorbo and infinitely more irritating with the “Why was I chosen?” crap. The problem with most modern fantasy novels is the protagonist is the Bruce Wayne type anti-hero with all the, “I’m not worthy for anyone” crap.

Our protagonist is Quentin Coldwater. Sometimes you like him, sometimes you hate him; sometimes he’s awesome and sometimes he’s a douche bag. But at least you know him. He’s someone you would go to school with or hang out with, maybe he’s even just like your best friend. The secondary characters are all different, real, multidimensional people and Grossman hints many a time that this is not Quentin’s story so much as a story from Quentin’s perspective. They have their own lives and are only minutely affected by Quentin. The actual hero of the book is Alice, who ends up being a perfect Greek hero, right to the end of the novel.

Cover: Solid cover art, somber, simple, a little moody, thought-provoking, piqued my curiosity.

Plot: This is a novel you won’t willingly put down once you’ve started it. The plot is fast and forgives no Twilight-level reader. So, if that’s your game; don’t play. The best part is, Grossman blows through Q’s before school, during school and post school years with ease.

All in all, I just want everyone to read this book so we can all talk about it together. That’s fair, right?

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kate Parnell, Trees and Ink Contributor

Love and Shame and Love: Understated Beauty

Sometimes the blurbs on a book jacket get it just right, and Daniel Handler’s quote about this book is spot on: “Love and Shame and Love is an epic book–epic like Gilgamesh and epic like a guitar solo.” Marisa Silver’s take is just as accurate: “Love and Shame and Love is a marvel. It left me with that feeling we all crave when we read–the sense of wonder you wake with after a dream, realizing just how mysterious is this world.”

In Love and Shame and Love, Peter Orner chronicles four generations of the Popper family. Through a series of vignettes, each as striking as the last, Orner explores the themes of love, loyalty, discovery, identity, and, of course, shame. Alexander Popper sits in the middle of the story, fighting to come to terms with a lost love and striving to build an understanding of his family. His parents, grandparents, and daughter seem to swirl around him, floating in and out of the picture through letters, anecdotes, and descriptions of a world that has long since passed. War, politics, philosophy, music, and memories paint the scene of each generation, telling the story of the Popper family in an understated way.

Title and Cover: The title works, and I love how it rolls off the tongue. The cover is great–it has meaning but is simple and, like the prose, understated in its appeal.

Characterization: Despite the fact that the book contains the stories of four generations, and tells these stories through vignettes, the characterization is achieved quite nicely. Alexander Popper grows through his understanding of his family’s past, while his family, though painted in the past and not in the present, is developed through their own experiences. As letters, anecdotes, and memories accumulate, the members of the Popper family are exposed as complex, real people.

Through his expert characterization, Orner is able to give life to the supporting characters. Truly, the purpose of their presence is to support the journey of Alexander Popper; through their characterization, Popper is able to grow.

Plot: Although the text contains more stories about Popper’s family than about him, his story is in the present and theirs are in the past. The structure of the story relies on this dichotomy between the tenses and the movement that they create, and it works beautifully. Though the plot jumps around chronologically, it is fluid and the transitions aren’t jarring.

Writing: Orner’s prose is fantastic. The vignettes are powerful and each ends with that sense of wonder that Silver speaks of.

If I’m gushing over this book it’s less a sign of my generosity and more the result of this honestly stunning novel. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in a heartfelt read that focuses on real emotions, real problems, and real life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Art of Fielding: The Mechanics of the Game of Life

Many fans of baseball swear that the sport is about more than shortstops, base hits, and game-winning runs. They are convinced that the sport teaches lessons that are integral to the development of athletes into well-rounded members of society. From the idea of responsibility to that of team work, many a baseball player and fan has alluded to the lessons of the great American pastime.

Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding is a book that takes this idea and molds it into a delicately woven story. Henry Skrimshander is a star player who has been trained by his mentor, and fellow Westish baseball player, Mike Schwartz. Together, they turn the losing Westish team into a force to be reckoned with while they each fight their own battles of love and loss. Guert Affenlight, the school’s president, works to rekindle his precarious relationship with his daughter, Pella, who comes to Westish to escape a failed marriage. Soon, his relationship with Henry’s roommate, Owen, threatens not only his position but the beliefs about love upon which his own life has been built.

Plot: Throughout the story, Harbach weaves the lives of these characters without making their relationships seem too predetermined. When they interact in unlikely ways, the activity seems organic rather than contrived to move the story forward. The book got off to a slow start and it wasn’t until about 100 pages in that I really started to enjoy the story. Once it did get going, though, it was certainly worth it. Harbach relies on baseball not as a crutch, but as a theme around which the characters can grow and a common activity that creates a plausible reason for the characters to interact.

Characterization: Every character in this book is well-developed and speaks with a clear, distinct voice. The emotional struggles that they endure are clearly defined, their pasts are revealed without spending too much time flashing back, and the ways in which they interact seem appropriate for their personalities. At no point was I puzzled as to why a character acts a certain way.

Writing: Harbach’s style is fluid and pleasant to read, but I have to admit that there were a few images that I was not too keen on. For example, he describes Schwartz’s nether regions as looking like a snail when he is soaking in the hot tub. While I understand that surprising similes are important in keeping writing fresh and avoiding the clichés that can all too easily accumulate, I can’t help but wonder if there is a more… dignified way to set the scene.

Larger Issues: Harbach dances around many issues without forwardly considering them, which allows the book to consider important themes without coming off as preachy. Forgiveness, self-discovery, personal responsibility, love, loss, determination, and so much more are discussed within this book. Although is speaks to baseball, and I found the sections about the games a bit boring, it is a book that is about far more than the sport.

Although I don’t think this is the best book of the year, I did thoroughly enjoy the story and think it is incredibly well-written. I will definitely be looking out for more from Harbach in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Stay Tuned: Punches and Post-Its

Melissa Moore is a busy woman. Producing the six and ten o’clock news for WSGA, adapting to her daughter being away at college, and trying to salvage her relationship with her husband are difficult enough, but things really get hectic when anchor Alyssa punches her co-anchor and boyfriend, Tim, right in the face while cameras are rolling. Melissa is suddenly thrust into the spotlight and must take on even more during her already busy day, but can she balance her new life with her old responsibilities?

Lauren Clark’s Stay Tuned is a fun novel that revolves around Melissa’s daily dramas. From a husband who communicates through Post-Its to a new co-anchor who could schmooze a used car dealer into buying a junker, Melissa is faced with her fair share of difficulties as she strives to learn more about who she is and what she wants out of life.

Cover: Bright, fun, and well-balanced, the cover is well-designed and accurately represents the tone of the novel. I also love the title, which ties in with the book without being too obvious.

Plot: Clark’s book is a page turner. I finished it in one day, which is almost unheard of for me. It seemed as though the book was over before it had begun–and not because it is short. The plot moves quickly, but not too quickly for readers to keep up. It’s a great representation of the atmosphere that Melissa works in, and I think it contributes to the characterization.

Characterization: Melissa is a producer, a mother, a wife, and a best friend. Though she has all of these monikers, she is still a woman who is looking for something to make her happy, fulfilled. I couldn’t help but see Melissa as a kind of Liz Lemon, corralling her anchors and trying to keep her show from falling apart. Once she steps up to fill in for Alyssa, though, the story takes a unique turn.

What I love the most about Melissa is that she is a character that women can relate to. I have been through relationship troubles, identity crises, and professional turning points that, though they may not be as visible or dramatic as those that Melissa must deal with, have made me contemplate similar questions. What do I want to do with my career? What do I want out of my relationship? Is it time to have a child? Do I even want a child? All of these questions, and more, will create a bond between readers and the protagonist.

My grandfather mentioned that women live by different rules in today’s society than they did fifty years ago. Now, women are in charge of their lives and have to make these difficult decisions. Parenthood, being a homemaker, and submission to a husband are not all expected anymore. With the freedom to live the lives we choose, us women must make these difficult decisions. Though they can seem overwhelming at times, these decisions are of pivotal importance to our happiness, and Clark illustrates the ways in which they can affect our lives perfectly.

I recommend Stay Tuned to anyone who is looking for a page turning read. Though you will get through the book quickly, the story and its characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Damned: Insightful Clarity from the Depths of Hell

Review contains spoilers.

Chuck Palahniuk has held readers in awe of his grotesque, raw, and oftentimes painfully true illustrations of human nature for years. His latest novel, Damned, transports readers from their comfy armchairs and swaying subways into the imaginative and surprisingly physical underworld.

Madison Spenser is a 13 year old who finds herself in the cages of Hell, inexplicably longing for the approval of Satan. She quickly joins up with a group of fellow damned souls, whose personalities are as diverse as those in The Breakfast Club, which is a staple of entertainment in the underworld. After breaking out of their cages, the group learns more about what it means to be alive, to be themselves, than they ever did when they had wandered the Earth as mortals.

As Madison and her cohorts explore the disgusting terrain of Hell (which is made up of toenail clippings, dandruff, semen, and aborted babies, among other things), she tells the story of her life, of her death, and of the curious fact that she feels more alive, dead, than she ever felt before.

Title and Cover: Both the title and the cover are perfect for the story. Simple yet powerful, they represent the book well.

Characterization: Palahniuk’s portrayal of Madison is fantastic. Her voice is clearly defined, she has a perspective that is easily identifiable, and he does an amazing job of making a 13 year old interesting without making her seem wise beyond her years. The fact that he chose a 13 year old as the protagonist allows him to explore the idea of Hell with the, albeit tainted, eyes of a child. The discoveries that Madison makes, from learning more about herself to learning more about her new surroundings, are ones that can be explored on an basic level. The ideas behind this book are complex, but by examining them from the ground up Palahniuk allows them to unfold organically. As Madison learns, so do the readers.

At the same time, Madison has a great amount of authority. Her voice is confident, despite her young age and the fact that she suffers through body image issues. Constantly reminded that she is fat, and on the cusp of pubescence, Madison is squeamish around her body in a way that makes the landscape of Hell, well, hell for her. Despite the fact that she is completely out of her element, she still holds a certain power over her readers. Because she knows something that the living doesn’t, she is able to become a figure of authority despite the fact that she is dead, fat, and young, three characteristics that would normally cause people to discount her ideas.

Plot: Palahniuk has commented that this is the beginning of a trilogy, which is based off of Dante’s Divine Comedy. To explore these ideas in such a setting is a wonderful concept, and I am excited to see how the other books unfold. Damned, then, has the responsibility of setting up a strong foundation for the other books. Though this task may seem tedious in the works of other authors, it has been accomplished in a way that allows the story to develop without feeling as though it is creating a background for other works. In fact, if it weren’t for the “to be continued” at the end, it would be something that could almost stand alone.

Writing Style: Palahniuk is known for his unique writing style, and Damned does not disappoint. However, this novel is much different in tone from his other work. While Fight Club was a bit more difficult to decipher, Damned is written in clear, concise prose. This is, I believe, a reflection upon the differences in the protagonists of these two stories. The fact that Palahniuk can create such different stories is a mark of his talent.

Larger Issues: Most striking is the landscape of Hell. Made up of physical elements, it serves as a constant reminder of the life that its prisoners have lost. But what have they really lost? The damned still have their bodies, though they can be destroyed and regenerated. They still have their personalities and their memories; their inhibitions and their secrets. The human nature of the damned is the same as that of the living, so what does that say about the world in which we live? Are we already in Hell? Is Hell a personal experience for each person?

Over the course of the story, Madison learns to manipulate the system and create her own presence in the underworld. Living is often characterized by progression, by growth, so what is there to separate the living and the dead if both are capable of learning, adapting to their surroundings, and evolving in their understanding of their environment?

Though this story may seem grotesque, and may not be a favorite among readers who are on the squeamish side, it is, at its core, a love story. Madison is a romantic, a girl on the verge of womanhood whose ability to, one day, experience everything that being a woman entails has been cut short.

Some people have lumped this book into the YA category, but I don’t agree. The subtleties of the philosophy behind the story, and the disturbing images that it portrays, deserve to catch the attention of adult readers–to shake them out of their comfort zones and force them to think about a world beyond their own. Palahniuk’s work is constantly making people think, and Damned will certainly have you questioning how the youth of today perceive their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Darcy and Fitzwilliam: Jane Austen’s Men

Jane Austen’s memorable characters have been captivating readers for generations, and none are as endearing as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Fans of Austen’s work have continued her stories where she left off, allowing the beloved characters to explore marriage, parenthood, and a variety of other friendships. I’ve never read any books based on Austen’s work, but this one stood out as interesting for one reason: it tells the story from the men’s perspective.

Darcy, a gentleman and the husband of one of literature’s most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet, and Fitzwilliam, a leader in the British army, are cousins that are as close as brothers. Over the course of the book, they see one another through troubles with marriage, women, family, and their children. A pair that truly grows together, loyally experiencing life’s ups and downs by each other’s side, Darcy and Fitzwilliam follow their hearts and take on the aftermath that high London society throws at them when they make less than popular choices.

Title and Cover: The title is perfect, but the cover is what really caught my attention. A beautiful cover, it was designed by Karen Horton and is well thought out from every angle.

Plot and Writing: Karen Wasylowski has done a terrific job of pulling a plot together that perfectly weaves the right amount of details from Pride and Prejudice into the story. I was fascinated by the perspective, as Austen hardly ever reveals what the men are thinking, and loved the banter between Fitzwilliam and Darcy. Certainly, the camaraderie and love between these two characters is clear and, more importantly, believeable.

The storyline is easy to follow without being boring or predictable, but I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Wasylowski decided to end the story many, many years later, when Darcy and Fitzwilliam are grandfathers. This limits her ability to continue the story she has started, and I for one would have definitely picked up a second book.

Characterization: The development of Darcy and Fitzwilliam is wonderful, and Wasylowski is able to transform them from their supporting roles to stand alone characters that are strong enough to carry the weight of the plot on their shoulders.

The characterization of Elizabeth, on the other hand, is a little disappointing. I know that, being such an iconic character, no author is going to be capable of creating an Elizabeth that appeals to everyone. Each reader has their own way of viewing her, and the fact that she means something to so many people is a mark of Austen’s success; however, Wasylowski has created several scenes in which Elizabeth appears too dependent, almost too feminine (though she certainly is feminine, in her own way). I had hoped that her strong personality would remain intact, but there are several instances in which I felt she would have confronted her husband but didn’t.

Elizabeth’s characterization does not ruin the story by any means. At the heart of the plot is the relationship between Darcy and Fitzwilliam, and this is a relationship that is developed beautifully. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Austen’s characters and is interested in seeing what the men have to say about the dances, the courtships, and the women who run London’s society.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Fraction of the Whole: A Ridiculous, Insightful, and Moving Father and Son Tale

This post originally appeared on the blog for the company I work for, which I have recently revamped (visit the new blog here!). I couldn’t leave the post up on the new blog and hated the thought of not having a review up of my favorite book, so it has found a home at Trees and Ink.

As I sit down and try to convey my love, my absolute adoration, for A Fraction of the Whole, I feel as though I can only fail. An exciting, thought-provoking, poignant, and riotously hilarious narrative about a father and son finding their way through the world, this book tells one of the best stories you will read. Ever.

The most interesting part of this book is the way the structure and the actual writing are intertwined. The writing is incredible, Steve Toltz is inarguably brilliant; however, his ability to simultaneously present a scene that is both a comedic episode in the lives of the characters and a disillusioning commentary on society (and, really, civilization in general) is a show of fine skill. The story can be read on a variety of levels, each offering an insightful glimpse into the constantly twisting, turning, and thickening plot.

Sometimes a complex plot makes me feel as though I need to pull out my machete and brave the wilderness of the author’s disorganized mind; however, Toltz has already blazed the path for you. As the plot thickens, you feel both a part of it and apart from it. This interesting perspective allows for the understanding of each character in a very intimate and objective way (Yes, that is an oxymoron. Yes, I know that. Yes, your mind will be blown when you read it, too).

The overzealous enthusiasm I have for this book is not common, and I am amazed that Toltz has not received more recognition for his first novel. Writing a book can be approached from two different ways: writing to satisfy the need to tell the story, and writing to satisfy the reader. Toltz addresses both the reader and the story simultaneously, which many writers, much more famous than he, fail to do.

One of the most interesting questions that this story raises is this: where do the thinkers belong in this world? Can the thinkers exist without doing? Inevitably, doing brings about the downfall of every thinker and every thought recorded in this novel, but without the action there would be no story, and the story is what is important.

So, as you are thinking about reading this book, and before getting a copy, consider this: where would you start your story? Your place in your own life is just as tenuous and as changeable as your place in someone else’s. Jasper Dean, one of our loveable and socially awkward protagonists, considers this very question in the beginning of the book. Not only are his words the perfect opening to a riveting (auto)biography and a wonderful summary of the plot of the novel, I think he addresses the issue perfectly:

“Where to begin my story? Negotiating with memories isn’t easy: how to choose between those panting to be told, those still ripening, those already shriveling, and those destined to be mangled by language and come out pulverized? One thing’s for sure: not writing about my father would take a mental effort that’s beyond me. All my non-Dad thoughts feel like transparent strategies to avoid thinking about him. And why should I avoid it anyway? My father punished me for existing, and now it’s my turn to punish him for existing. It’s only fair.

“But the real difficulty is, I feel dwarfed by our lives. They loom disproportionately large. We painted on a broader canvas than we deserved, across three continents, from obscurity to celebrity, from cities to jungles, from rags to designer rags, betrayed by our lovers and our bodies, and humiliated on a national then cosmic scale, with hardly a cuddle to keep us going. We were lazy people on an adventure, flirting with life but too shy to go all the way. So how to begin to recount our hideous odyssey? Keep it simple, Jasper. Remember, people are satisfied– no, thrilled– by the simplification of complex events. And besides, mine’s a damn good story and it’s true. I don’t know why, but that seems to be important to people. Personally, if someone said to me, ‘I’ve got this great story to tell you, and every word is an absolute lie!’ I’d be on the edge of my seat.”