  by Geoff Dyer (Book, Pub. Abacus, 1998) The Critics say: 'By turns hilarious and crushing, studded with pinpoint observations that... come together into an unsentimental argument about youth and the price of lives less ordinary.' (Robert Lalasz, News Observer) 'A fine novel, written with a light, sure touch, affecting far beyond its length and apparent (but only apparent) insubstantiality.' (James Sallis , Washington Post) Sexy, hopelessly romantic, and almost sneakily meditative, Dyer's novel invokes the shades of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, but as they might be imagined by Truffaut.' (The New Yorker) The Mind says: Funny, beautiful novel about the relationships of cinema obsessed twentysomething ex-pats living in Paris. Most of this book is a vast, quasi-nostalgic flashback, the dialogue seeming idealised, like conversations remembered how you would want them to have been, rather than how they actually were. This leads to both wickedly funny set pieces and cod-philosophising about the true meaning of events. About two thirds through, Dyer offers a snapshot of the characters a year on from the events, so the last section is all the more poignant when you consider what happened after... If Kieslowski could have done comedy (don't tell me about Three Colours White, it was shit) then it wouldn't have been far from this. Emotional and 'deep', yet light at the same time. It's always good to have Blade Runner quoted in works of great academic value, too. Over too soon, I envy you being able to read it for the first time. Also, as you can see from the pictures above, it is available with either the 'trendy' or 'serious' cover, so you can choose depending on whether you want to impress your mates, or that bird down the pub who is always talking about books. See for yourself: You can read the first chapter here Disagree? Feel free to Email any related stuff to The Mind. Updated 29/4/2000 
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