A Fraction of the Whole

I love this book.

This novel about a man retelling the family history he learned from his father is simply one of the funniest things I've read in a very long time.

Jasper Dean who lives with his widowed father, learns that his uncle is actually the famed Australian outlaw Terry Dean. When he asks his father about it, Jasper is told the wild tale of his father and uncle growing up and how Terry became so notorious.

Interspersed with that, Jasper tells his own tale of love and loss and coming to grips with his feelings about his highly unusual family.

I just love, LOVE the author's way with words.

"Harry was too stunned to speak. He was frozen solid. Have you ever seen a man congeal from good news? It's hilarious."

I'm not a laugh out loud type of person, but on nearly EVERY page there was some turn of phrase or play on words that made me chuckle. My husband became quite alarmed, I think.

"Let's not mince words: the interior of the Sydney casino looks as if Vegas had an illegitimate child with Liberace's underpants..."

This is Steve Toltz's first novel, which fills my heart with joy. He is a naturally gifted storyteller with a unique sense of humor and I can not wait for his next book.

"She was only inches away. I couldn't breath. I was experiencing one of those horriblebeauti- fulterrifyingdisgustingwondrousinsaneunprecedent- edeuphoricsensationaldisturbingthrillinghideoussub- limenauseatingexceptional feelings that's quite hard to describe unless you happen to chance upon the right word."

BWAH HA HA HA HA HAHA!!


Plus, because I am who I am, I'd be remiss not to point out that Toltz's author photo is absolutely gorgeous and I might be a little in love with him. :D

Highly, HIGHLY recommended.

Since this is a new book, it qualifies for The Pub Challenge (2 down 6 to go). And I owe Bookfool a debt that can never be repaid for hinting around to me that this book might be right up my alley. She couldn't have been more correct. It's more like this book was written specifically for me, I love it so much. So, thank you Bookfool...you rock!!