First person: An acute analysis of the age of the second rate

A compelling dissection of the trap of narcissism, written with passion and deep insight into the craft of writing and its relationship with truth, celebrity and power. This novel mines character and personal responsibility with finely honed writing and though occasionally requiring perseverance, delivers a seam of darkly gleaming humour, studded with raw gems of observation on the human condition.

The performance by audio is solidly delivered with just the right measure of authority and droll drawl to capture an Australian take on the industry of literature and the flaws of the contemporary personality.

I think it is not for the listener who doesn’t want to think about what they are hearing. It is a book that invites investigation of where the corpses are buried, drawing the listener in to the search, not for the sake of detective adventure (which it certainly provides) but because it reminds us, they are right here, underneath our commonplace endeavours. If you are interested in writing, in recent history, in the nature of the self, this is the book to listen too. To quote the cliches, “I laughed out loud. I was moved to tears. It got into my dreams. “

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Literary bent on good vs evil

First Person was apparently based on the author's own experiences. Richard Flanagan was hired to ghostwrite the biography of an infamous Australian criminal and this is the fictionalised version of that truth. And what a story it is! A man who ducks and dodges and hides the truth from everyone including his biographer, resulting in a book that treats history as a burden and reveres fictionalised truths. Perfect fodder for a struggling writer (as Flanagan apparently was at that time).

The real story here though is the human story. Good vs Evil. Kif the good, the well-intentioned protagonist, full of struggle and potential. Siegfried the bad, the antagonist, a conman, the withholder of the truth. Yet the interplay between the characters never feels stereotyped. The timing of the plot is steady, yet portrays Kif's growing angst as required.

My only gripe is that the ending played out too long. Without providing a spoiler, once the relationship between writer and subject is concluded, I felt the book should have wound up. However, still a great read and worth the investment of time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

very hard work in all the wrong ways

didn't enjoy this story at al, the main character had no redeemable features, neither did the story line...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

it just won't end

Why wasn't this a short story? It just goes on and on, ad nauseum. Of course it's full of Australian tropes (gotta kill animals for some reason) and the voice acting has two gears - dull and ocker.

I've got 50 mins to go on 1.5x speed. It's been such a slog getting to this point, I will truly celebrate when I finally get to the end and can put this rubbish behind me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!