GOODNIGHT, STEVE MCQUEEN

I finally had the time to finish reading the book. Before you start reading this review, I should point out that there might be some spoilers (don't worry I won't give away the ending or anything).

Before I begin, I should point out that I really enjoy modern novels. I like reading about bands I like (The Smiths or Beck), I like reading modern slangs and habits and so on… In some ways, I can relate to these things.

There are few books that kept my interest as this book does. The trick that Louise does is at the end of each chapter, there is almost a cliffhanger or punchline. As I've previously mentioned this book is hilarious! Check out this excerpt:

I give Vince a brief rundown of the last twelve hours, stagger towards the bedroom and collapse on to the bed like a sick giraffe. My head hits the pillow like a wax brick. My clothes lie in a crumpled pile on the floor along with the empty bottle of Galliano that I've sucked dry. I have crystals of dried alcohol all over my mouth. And my chin. I still have my underpants on. And my shoes.

I rule.

The book is about Danny McQueen, named Steve McQueen by his movie-obsessed mother. He has this great girlfriend named Alison, and he's the guitarist in a band (currently called Dakota). Things haven't changed for years, and in some ways, his girlfriend is fed up and gives him an ultimatum: find a (real) job or find a new girlfriend. She gives him six months, and in that time, he does the almost impossible, he gets his band noticed by playing support gigs for his old friend's band, Scarface (who made it really big in the United States).

I won't give away too much, but there are some good adventures and, almost biographical in some ways. Certain situation and sentences look like something that might have happened to Louise & Sleeper when they were first starting out.

There aren't too many characters around Danny, but they're all memorable and funny.

Some of the key characters:

-Vince is the singer and full of strong music opinions.
-Matty, the drummer, who's as clueless as he is handsome & cute.
-Alison, the girlfriend, who really doesn't appear much in the novel, considering she's the one that started it all. All I can really remember from her is that she wants to write novels and she's got gorgeous boobs.
-Kostas, the video shop owner and sudden manager.
-Sheila, the Kung Fu enthusiast, who's really old and have lived a lifetime.
-Kate, the vindictive Matty's girlfriend

The ending seemed rushed in some ways. Lots of things seem to happen in the last few chapters. For instance, Sheila suddenly plays this huge role in Danny's life, and the last chapter looks like it took place six months later. So the rhythm and time passage seems … out of place. But it's good. I think it will make a very good movie (I had envision certain scenes in the book as scenes in a yet-to-be-made movie). If you like High Fidelity and Trainspotting, you'd really like this debut novel.

So what are you waiting for ? It's currently on sale for £8 at amazon.co.uk.