Attention. Deficit. Disorder.
by Brad Listi
publisher: The Friday Project
ISBN-10: 1906321094
ISBN-13: 978-1906321093
Wayne Fencer spends the year following his former girl friend’s suicide struggling to come to terms with its impact on him. From the funeral he narrates the path of the year, from his discovery of her aborting his child to the cold realization that, unlike the epiphany many suicide attempt survivors record, Amanda wanted to die.
This is a superbly written novel interspersed with snippets of biographies and dictionary definitions on words – somewhat intrusive at times, particularly when the words are well-known. It is a constant reminder that the reader is a voyeur into the protagonist’s story rather than being a confidante.
One of the devices one learns as a writer is that the protagonist, or hero, of a story must be either changed by the events within it or, after surviving and contemplating them, elect to remain unchanged. This is a story of the latter, although Fencer is at least comforted by the gradual realization that Amanda’s suicide wasn’t his fault..
The book has frequent references to the cinema, and the journeys that such stories take. Writers and film buffs might enjoy such discourses.
Attention. Deficit. Disorder. is a fascinating read, one which I enjoyed greatly. I was somewhat lucky to have won my copy, one of the limited edition rubber-bound covers which is a rubber fetishist’s dream. You can still get them HERE
Attention. Deficit. Disorder: A Novel
4 comments:
I so want to read this, but can't bring myself to read the limited edition one. I need to buy the regular paperback.
*chuckles*
I can understand your reticence in opening the pristine covers!
Another must read for me Rachel. Good review.
Perhaps not a must-read, but a good one.
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