So, as I am an avid reader, I joined the National Post’s Afterword Reading Society, and every week I am given the opportunity to receive one of 25 copies of a book to review and have my comments published.
I have been chosen three times so far, and love the mixed bag of selected books.
My favourite part of this book club is that I have no say-so in the books chosen, so I am, therefore, asked to read books I wouldn’t normally choose. I have yet to receive any WWII historical fiction, for example, my preferred genre.
As a result, I was sent Abigail Thomas’ newest memoir What Comes Next and How to Like It.
It is written in tiny vignette form and is about her 35-year friendship with her literary agent, Chuck, and a crisis that threatens it; Chuck has an affair with her oldest daughter. She also recounts her daughter’s fight with cancer, the death of her husband, signs of her own aging and Chuck’s struggle with cirrhosis and hepatitis C.
Not a very uplifting book and quite frankly, I just don’t think this was the time in my life to relate to this writer’s life story and revelations. That being said, that is not the main reason why I disliked this book.
Two pages into this memoir, Thomas tells us that, “I don’t know anyone’s story except my own and I don’t even know that.” This would-be wisdom is a constant throughout this book and became quite tiresome.
The author whiles away page after page with fiddling matters of her existence, which just aren’t that interesting. She tells us about the time she found some old marshmallows, made macaroni and cheese, tried to stop smoking and describes in great detail how she prefers to paint a moon. (For those of you who just can’t live without knowing, it is to “hold a stick still while the paint drips off”.)
Inane, self-indulgent drivel as far as I’m concerned. One “chapter” is a listing of six names she forgets. Huh?
So, to wrap up, I do not recommend this book, as I believe it is a waste of time.
I will continue to sign up with the reading society even though they sent me this claptrap, because if nothing else, it has made me appreciate the other books I read. 1/5.
