Andrew Sean Greer: Less (December 2024)

Less is a comic novel in which the protagonist Arthur Less, a moderately successful writer, is facing a mid-life crisis and reaching the milestone of his 50th birthday.

His ex-boyfriend, Freddy, who Arthur let slip through his fingers, has asked Arthur to his wedding. He feels awkward about attending so he goes through some invitations to various world-wide junkets and sets up a fully expenses paid itinerary and the valid excuse of work commitments in order to avoid Freddy’s matrimonials.

Arthur has obviously forgotten the old adage “No matter how far you travel you can never get away from yourself” as it becomes clear that it was not simply social embarrassment that caused him to flee but rather his distress about losing Freddy.

His adventures, often misadventures, are very funny but also poignant with the author skilfully weaving in and out of the past and present. He meets new people and is reacquainted with old friends and foes. Most of all, the further he travels, the more he thinks about his life and himself.

This book was intended to be a serious work but, and this is mirrored in the novel when Arthur’s book is rejected by his publisher, the author felt that people wouldn’t be very sympathetic to a middle aged, middle class man’s tribulations.

Less combines comedy and absurdity with reflections on deep issues that concern us all; loss, growing older, bereavement, missed opportunities, self-sabotage and bittersweet memories.

There was a mixed reception for Less. About half really enjoying it and the other half not so much, but everyone got something from it, the humour or the travel or the relatability of the central character.

We awarded Less 3/5