Welcome David to So Many Books, So Little Time & a wee quick thanks to Karen at Orenda Books and the beautiful Anne from Random Things Through My Letter Box for introducing me to a new Scottish author, for me, & including me in the tour. I am only stop 4 on the blog tour so please check out the others as we are going through the month, info below.
You can read a wee bit more about David here!
The Man Who Loved Islands by David F RossMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - on and off over 5 days
Pages - 302
Publisher - Orenda Books
Blurb from Goodreads
In the early 80s, Bobby Cassidy and Joey Miller were inseparable; childhood friends and fledgling business associates. Now, both are depressed and lonely, and they haven't spoken to each other in more than 10 years. A bizarre opportunity to honor the memory of someone close to both of them presents itself, if only they can forgive and forget. With the help of the deluded Max Mojo and the faithful Hamish May, can they pull off the impossible, and reunite the legendary Ayrshire band, The Miraculous Vespas, for a one-off Music Festival—The Big Bang—on a remote, uninhabited Scottish island? Absurdly funny, deeply moving and utterly human, thisis an unforgettable finale to the Disco Days trilogy—a modern classic pumped full of music and middle-aged madness, written from the heart and pen of one of Scotland’s finest new voices.
My Review
Bobby Cassidy & Joey Miller were thick as thieves, pals from childhood in the 1980's, we have a tiny glimpse of them like this then jump forward in time. Neither speaks to the other and their lives have gone in very different directions Joey has traveled all over the world whilst meeting his clients, Bobby made it huge as a DJ in Ibiza. Successful in their own rights but each having separate battles with age, addictions, fame and or depression a chance opportunity sees them both reunite and try to pull off the event of the century.
This is book three in a trilogy, whilst I don't think not having read the others hampered my enjoyment I think it would have had more impact knowing the extensive background with the two. Bobby and Joey are pals, the book mostly concentrates on their life in the now with some kick backs to their adult life without each other, more so Bobby's. Music has a huge feature in the book and I did spent some time googling quite a few songs as I didn't know a whole lot of them. Locations of the tale varies between China, Ibiza, USA, England and Scotland. The boys are Scottish and they or the folk around them swear a lot. The C word makes a few appearances as is par for the course to authenticate the Scottish settings, people, banter, I know some folk balk at that one so just an FYI.
I loved the lingo in this book, as a Scot myself some of the slang, terminology and banter fires up some memories from my own past. Some of the chat and banter was like talking with an old friend or firing on a pair of well loved slippers! On more than one occasion I burst out laughing and a book that can get you laughing out loud is ticking many boxes! I think some may struggle with some of the conversations with the guys and maybe a wee list explaining what some words mean would have helped some non Scottish readers.
The book touches on quite a few things, friendship, infidelity, love, loss, corruption, bereavement, sex, drugs, and a big feature of music. The chapters are relatively short which for me was great, I do normally like that anyway but I started this book during a run of shifts so it made for perfect reading to be able to dip in and out with the short time offered. It initially took me a wee bit to settling in to read but once I got into the meat of it I didn't want to put it down. Hillarious, sad in parts and a great spin on friendship with two guys struggling with their personal demons pulling together for something epic. This is my first time reading this author, I enjoyed the book so much I am going to buy the first two of the series. Thanks so much to Orenda books for highlighting a new author to me. If you like Irvine Welsh you need to read David F Ross, not as much grit but certainly of the same caliber. 4/5 for me this time, absolutely I will be reading this author again, all opinions are my own.
If you are local, David is having the launch in Glasgow City Centre with a live band and Q&A, this is a ticketed event. See the details below.
Congratulations to David! This sounds such an interesting premise and story. Thanks for introducing me to it.
ReplyDeleteOh I'd be curious to see what a Scottish fiction would be like. I also LOVE to laugh so that is a total plus for me. :)
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