Charlie is in self-destruct mode. Except he hasn't realised it yet.
On the surface, Charlie is a young professional man going about his life, enjoying himself. He teaches, he has friends, lovers, a family. His divorce has gone through, his job inspires him, he's looking after his mum and trying to make her better, he loves his baby niece. But he is damaged goods, spiralling hedonistically out of control, and it seems that his new-found freedom is about to become his downfall, alienating everyone he knows.
In Alan Bissett's third novel, he has created another complex character who you immediately want to judge. But as the layers are uncovered, you realise your first impression isn't necessarily the right one.
An insane, hallucinatory mosaic of sexual dysfunction, pathos, humour and narrative energy.
A.L. Kennedy
Fucked up, funny and fantastic.
Lauren Laverne
Bissett's triumph is that he actually delivers a poignant, often touching study of blokes and relationships in the modern world while still making it devilishly funny and disturbingly accurate. A real gem.
News of The World
