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About
In this astutely observed collection, Russell Smith charts the lives of several thirty-something men struggling to meet the adult challenges of career, home and family while they mourn the aspirations of their youth.
Dominic discards the life he has built with Christine for a fantasy fling with her best friend and then sheepishly orchestrates a reconciliation. When his career as a music producer fails to materialize, Eddie begins secretly recording the dreams his girlfriend recites in her sleep. He publishes these transcribed tales, but his new-found literary fame is hollow and his shameless crime is inevitably exposed. Lionel embarks on an ill-fated tour of small-town Nova Scotia to promote his latest book. Stranded by a snow storm, the weary writer finds creative inspiration in the reminiscences of an elderly woman.
In each of these stories, Russell Smith flawlessly captures the humour and the sadness of young men bridging the gulf between who they had hoped to be and who they have become. "Smith has a journalist's eye for the details of speech and dress that identify the social niche of the characters - but with an Evelyn Waughesque emphasis on their comic Possibilities."-The Toronto Star
"Astute and welcome." -The Globe and Mail
"A sharply observed, sour, sweet, and very funny first novel... Not so many could have matched ... the inventiveness of the dialogue, the grace of the narrative, and the tenderness that Smith shows toward the most vulnerable characters he has created." -Books in Canada
A poisonously funny portrait of (Toronto's) so-hip-it-hurts fashion, food, and bar scene ... Noise trumpets Smith's energetic talent." -Maclean's
Russell Smith is a well-known journalist and novelist. His 1994 bestseller, How Insensitive, was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, and Ontario's Trillium Book Award. His second novel, Noise, published in Spring 1998, received widespread attention and critical acclaim. An accomplished journalist, Smith's articles have also been published in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, Flare, Details, and NOW. His story "Party Going," won the 1997 National Magazine Award for fiction. Smith currently writes a weekly column on men and fashion for The Globe and Mail. He lives in Toronto. "So." Dominic looked across the table at Gordon. Gordon smiled at him. He wore dark glasses, in which Dominic could see his own tiny, warped reflection. Dominic was also wearing dark glasses. They were both wearing linen shirts which fluttered slightly in the breeze. King Street rustled around them; it seemed full of women in dresses.
"So," said Gordon. "How are you?"
"I'm good. It's good to see you too. I just thought I'd call because-"
"Oh, of course, it's great to-"
"Just to see how you -"
"Would you gentlemen care for something to start?"
"Are you going to have something?" asked Dominic.
Gordon looked at his watch. "I have to be back at the office."
"I'll have a soda with lime," said Dominic.
Gordon said, "Do you have a fumé blanc by the glass?"
"Ah ..." The waitress's blue eyes wandered over them. "I'm not sure."
"Could you check for me?" said Gordon quietly.
"What I do have, which is similar, sir, is a Pinot Grigio, which is a little fruitier, but I find it -"
"You've had it?"
"I like it." She smiled, and Dominic had to look away from her bare neck and smooth bust. "Shall I get you a -"
"I'll have a glass of Chardonnay, whatever you have, the biggest you have," said Gordon, passing her the wine list with the tips of his fingers as if he didn't even want to touch it. "Something oaky, something I can chew on. I trust you." He smiled at her from behind his glasses.
Dominic resented not having ordered a drink; he felt cheated. He almost called her back as she swung away, but hesitated too long. He resented the feeling, distant as a hangover, that he still wasn't quite sure of the rules.
"Attract
Dominic discards the life he has built with Christine for a fantasy fling with her best friend and then sheepishly orchestrates a reconciliation. When his career as a music producer fails to materialize, Eddie begins secretly recording the dreams his girlfriend recites in her sleep. He publishes these transcribed tales, but his new-found literary fame is hollow and his shameless crime is inevitably exposed. Lionel embarks on an ill-fated tour of small-town Nova Scotia to promote his latest book. Stranded by a snow storm, the weary writer finds creative inspiration in the reminiscences of an elderly woman.
In each of these stories, Russell Smith flawlessly captures the humour and the sadness of young men bridging the gulf between who they had hoped to be and who they have become. "Smith has a journalist's eye for the details of speech and dress that identify the social niche of the characters - but with an Evelyn Waughesque emphasis on their comic Possibilities."-The Toronto Star
"Astute and welcome." -The Globe and Mail
"A sharply observed, sour, sweet, and very funny first novel... Not so many could have matched ... the inventiveness of the dialogue, the grace of the narrative, and the tenderness that Smith shows toward the most vulnerable characters he has created." -Books in Canada
A poisonously funny portrait of (Toronto's) so-hip-it-hurts fashion, food, and bar scene ... Noise trumpets Smith's energetic talent." -Maclean's
Russell Smith is a well-known journalist and novelist. His 1994 bestseller, How Insensitive, was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, and Ontario's Trillium Book Award. His second novel, Noise, published in Spring 1998, received widespread attention and critical acclaim. An accomplished journalist, Smith's articles have also been published in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, Flare, Details, and NOW. His story "Party Going," won the 1997 National Magazine Award for fiction. Smith currently writes a weekly column on men and fashion for The Globe and Mail. He lives in Toronto. "So." Dominic looked across the table at Gordon. Gordon smiled at him. He wore dark glasses, in which Dominic could see his own tiny, warped reflection. Dominic was also wearing dark glasses. They were both wearing linen shirts which fluttered slightly in the breeze. King Street rustled around them; it seemed full of women in dresses.
"So," said Gordon. "How are you?"
"I'm good. It's good to see you too. I just thought I'd call because-"
"Oh, of course, it's great to-"
"Just to see how you -"
"Would you gentlemen care for something to start?"
"Are you going to have something?" asked Dominic.
Gordon looked at his watch. "I have to be back at the office."
"I'll have a soda with lime," said Dominic.
Gordon said, "Do you have a fumé blanc by the glass?"
"Ah ..." The waitress's blue eyes wandered over them. "I'm not sure."
"Could you check for me?" said Gordon quietly.
"What I do have, which is similar, sir, is a Pinot Grigio, which is a little fruitier, but I find it -"
"You've had it?"
"I like it." She smiled, and Dominic had to look away from her bare neck and smooth bust. "Shall I get you a -"
"I'll have a glass of Chardonnay, whatever you have, the biggest you have," said Gordon, passing her the wine list with the tips of his fingers as if he didn't even want to touch it. "Something oaky, something I can chew on. I trust you." He smiled at her from behind his glasses.
Dominic resented not having ordered a drink; he felt cheated. He almost called her back as she swung away, but hesitated too long. He resented the feeling, distant as a hangover, that he still wasn't quite sure of the rules.
"Attract