Rob Garland has a problem. Ever since he narrowly survived being killed in a pub inferno, spared by nothing more than chance, the Mancusian late night jazz radio broadcaster has found himself paralysed by every minute decision. He now knows the affect the smallest, most insignificant-seeming decisions can have on your life and the lives around you, a fast the rest of the world seems blissfully and unaccountably ignorant of. One night, unable to bear it any longer, he spends his airtime discussing just this fact, an act that propels him into real danger and that makes him reevaluate his place in the world.
This is my first Millington novel, and I enjoyed some of the deft touches. The plot is original, the characters are interesting (even if the existental angst was a little over-blown, which was somewhat the point of the book), and there were some beautiful moments, including nicotine-addict Elizabeth's near-poetic elegy to a packet of cigarettes drowned in a Bulgarian toilet. There are lovely light moments and exquisite turns of phrase, including my new favourite - "Christ's dancing arse," a combination of words I'd never previously seen (or thought about) together, but am now waiting to unleash at the first appropriate opportunity.And another favourite line? "'Some Nutters Found in America.' Well done, Rob - you've certainly stumbled upon a carefully guarded secret there."
I also liked his atheistic take on the outlook of a group of American fundamentalists who believe in following up on the individuals who miss out on God's plan for death by taking them out themselves - "I mean, the problem is: God doesn't exist. Which kind of ties his hands, follow-up-wise." In fact, the evaluation of religious extremism (of the Christian variety), the nature of chance, and the way we respond to what happens in our lives, and the glue that binds this well-written, interesting and original novel together. - Alex
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