Steve Toltz, A Fraction of the Whole Review

Overall Rating

A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz.

Toltz comic novel, with its blend of comic absurdity, rich narrative and exhilarating visions, really pulsates.

Short listed for the Man Booker Prize 2008, the story has Jasper Dean locked away in prison pondering over his unusual life story. Attempting some personal redemption he sets about writing a book narrating his unusual father and son story. Set across three continents, journeying from cities to jungles, with hardly a cuddle to keep them going. They are 'lazy people on an adventure.'

Don't be fooled by the tough 'Aussie' exterior, judging this book by its cover may catch you unawares. I found the complex narrative and humorous mix quite spellbinding. In places the interaction between characters, is poignant, sensitive and moving. Although, at times I was spinning with the number of ideas, led from one to another, leaving me quite dizzy; one moment in school yard the next discussing deep sociological theories. A whopping 710 pages in length, I wonder in the end if some of this novel's excellent features may have been worn a little thin. Never-the-less, Toltz has written a fine piece of engaging storytelling, which I recommend to you.

Adrian Mitchell