R&R 104 | A Fraction of the Whole
Steve Toltz
A Fraction of the Whole
First published in:
This edition:
ISBN: 978-0-141-04179-7
Genre: fiction
Pages: 711
Cover photo: Heritage Collections, State Library of Tasmania
Every single bookstore. There it was. Stacked on the display table (not the shelves, no no. The table). Hot pink dots on the cover joined the phrase "Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2008". It was irresistible to me, a book I felt deeply I should read as a reviewer, but also as a lover of books. This was one I couldn't miss. When I found A FRACTION OF THE WHOLE at ABC The Hague, well. In the shopping bag it went.
Still, it took me a while to actually read it (earlier this year), possibly because I read the Man Booker winner (Aravind Adiga's THE WHITE TIGER) and found myself to be rather underwhelmed. How would I feel about a nominee if the winner didn't do it for me?
The answer? I feel a little silly. The Man Booker is an important literary prize, but winning it says nothing about the quality of the other shortlisted books (or longlisted books – or books that didn't even make the cut).
I quickly realized when I started reading A FRACTION OF THE WHOLE that I liked this book so much more than the winning book.
Martin Dean's entire life has revolved around one important thing: his brother Terry's actions. A notorious criminal, Terry's been on a murdering spree – killing athletes who took pay-offs, for one – until his own death, which made him an even bigger legend. Ever since, Marty's been focused on being A Somebody Too, but that's not an easy feat when you're a cynical misanthrope who analyzes and philosophizes everything to death. Marty's son Jasper looks on in embarrassment, wanting nothing more than to be free from his father's overbearing opinions on life, but unable to because his dad is all Jasper's got. It's only when Marty dies that Jasper can actually look upon their lives together and their crazy adventures (in Paris, Thailand and their homeland, Australia) in a different, more independent light, allowing himself to discover who he is with, and without his dad.
A FRACTION OF THE WHOLE is Toltz's debut, and an impressive one: the fractions that make the book a whole are so, so strong.
Toltz is a fantastic storyteller; his work is highly imaginative without going inexcusably overboard. If you think Steve Toltz is insane, try reading a book by Christopher Moore – whom I adore, but yeah, he's insane. It's why I buy his books. They're delightful.
Steve Toltz has tons of ideas and he does go everywhere with his story – some of them are outrageous, especially in the end – but he goes everywhere with self-confidence, a goal. He's forgiven because he remains very much in control, careful not to let the crazy overshadow the heart of the tale. And there's plenty of heart.
FRACTION is absolutely lough out loud funny. This started immediately; I'd already laughed a gazillion times by the time I reached page 30. There was something witty on every page – at least, I felt it was witty. His humor seems to come natural to him; it doesn't feel forced, the jokes aren't done before. It's fresh, it's daring, it's cynical – but it never puts down serious issues which do occur in the book.
An important theme is suicide; one of the most moving moments in the novel is when Jasper's classmate commits suicide, and the effect it has on his father, a teacher none of the kids could stand. It's a moment I won't forget; FRACTION has a lot of these memorable moments.
It's moments like these which brings me to the strongest aspect of FRACTION, and that is its characters. FRACTION does have a plot line but is clearly a character-driven book. Moments in their lives define Toltz's characters, as do relationships with each other. It's about Jasper's coming of age, absolutely. But even more, FRACTION explores the relationship between father and son (who share the position of narrator), and the bond between two (competitive, and very different) brothers. This is what you need to realize when you read this book. The heart of the book lies between two brothers, and the son of one. Toltz writes about these men with feeling, with soul… and with his brains.
Toltz is an opinionated man – a man who lets his thoughts (existential, philosophical) roam free. The thing that makes it work, is that he's able to get it all across to his readers without making them feel stupid – which a lot of other authors simply fail at. (I'll never forget putting down a revered book by Dutch author Harry Mulisch, in which existentialism is discussed at length between characters. I understood what he was talking about, but it all sounded like pretentious drivel and it put me off entirely.)
It's good that you're thinking about life and death, authors, and that you have questions and are seeking answers, but if you plan on dumping them on your readers (who expect a book about a dysfunctional father/son relationship, not necessarily a work containing a lot of philosophy), at least make it relatable, understandable, transferable. Toltz gets that and I appreciated this.
Furthermore, the reader doesn't have to agree with everything to see the literary value in Toltz's writing. His thoughts are so cleverly worded, that they make for enjoyable reading, so much that it didn't bother me that (my edition of) the book was 700+ pages long. I enjoyed every single word on every single page.
I'm such a huge fan of this author. Please please please, write another book, Steve Toltz. I'll be one of the first to read it. I have complete faith in this man's ability to write a brilliant sophomore novel.
It's not a big literary prize (it's not even real but shh, not the point), but it's a heartfelt one: the Karin Elizabeth Prize 2008, it's yours, Steve Toltz.
Teresa
I was rooting for this book to win the Booker in a big way. It was my favorite of the ones I read on the longlist that year precisely because of the wit and the many directions that Toltz goes with his wit. I liked The White Tiger just fine, but it didn't bring me nearly the pleasure that this book did!
Katrin von Saiten
Dear Karin!
I love your new layout but PLEASE think about adding a friendly picture to the header! On first sight it's kind of negative… 🙁
Many greetings
Katrin
Karin Elizabeth
@Katrin
I read your comment, and immediately realized that you are absolutely right, so I instantly turned on adobe photoshop and went to work.
I've replaced the header using more diverse and generally kinder images.
I do want this site to be accessible and friendly, but I did leave in one 'negative' photo, because I don't read only happy books, or write happy reviews 🙂 That to me does reflect the general feel of the project.
When I made the layout I really wanted some newer images in the header, but as it turns out a lot of the newer images are either 'negative' (though the reviews are positive) or harder to work into the graphic (would have loved to use the photo from 31 songs, one of my favorites, but it didn't "fit" well).
Your comment made me decide to just go with some older, positive-energy shots, and to replace the older images with suitable newer ones when I have them.
Thank you for giving me this feedback and for being honest about how you felt about the new look to the site and for helping me in this way to have a more "friendly" looking website. I really, really appreciate it 😀
Katrin von Saiten
Dear Karin!
Thank god you took my criticism positively and are not disappointed on what I felt. I like your new version very much!
What I want to add is that I did never expect you to write only friendly reviews, on the pictures, I know that you try to show the mood the book gave you, what not necessarily is connected to the result of your review 🙂
Maybe you can use in the future at least one friendly picture in the center, then there is not only negative energy on the first sight.
Have a nice evening!
Katrin
stargazerpuj
The combination of your pic and the review had made me want to read this. I haven't read last year's shortlist or the winner of the Man Booker and this year's shortlist is also languishing on my TBR pile!