Nicholas Duhamel, a young man living
with his lover while he tutors in philosophy, has written an
explosive novel that brings him international fame and fortune.
Unfortunately, the fame goes to his head. He becomes addicted to his
image, constantly checking in on Facebook and Twitter to see what
people are saying about him. His lover breaks upwith him calling him
a self-center egoist. He's supposed to be working on a new novel, but
he can't write so he lies about his progress.
Feeling he deserves a rest after all
his international book tours and hoping that it may kickstart his
writing, Nicholas and his new love steal off to a posh resort that
caters to rich people wanting to get away. At first he's entranced by
the pampering and the rich people he's consorting with, but gradually
it begins to feel like a cage.
Nicholas is not a likeable character.
He is egotistical, self-centered, and demanding. He is also
unfaithful, preferring sexting with a casual acquaintance, to
wondering what's wrong with the girl he's with. I couldn't warm up to
him, but then I don't think I was supposed to. I believe the author
was trying to paint a portrait of someone to whom fame and fortune
have come unexpectedly, so unexpectedly that he doesn't know how to
relate to it. He doesn't really understand how it happened.
The setting is wonderful, a lovely
villa on a tiny island off the Tuscan shore. I'd love to visit the
Gallo Nero if only for an afternoon. In fact, it's the setting that
kept me reading.
One serious problem with the book is
the length of the paragraphs. It makes it very difficult to stay
interested. Paragraphs can go for a page or more with no dialog or
other breaks. It become tedious to spend that much time in someone's
head.
If you're interested in the creative
process and how fame can leave a writer feeling helpless and unable
to write, you may enjoy this book. If you're looking for a romance or
a mystery, this isn't it.
I reviewed this book for the Amazon
Vine Program.
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