& Sons

by David Gilbert

Charles Henry Topping’s funeral is interesting for one reason: the eulogist. A. N. Dyer, the noted reclusive novelist, breaks down while attempting to eulogize his best friend. His meltdown forces Dyer to consider his family and his own mortality.

So, he brings his sons and ex-wife together again. Of course, his sons are completely kooky:

• Richard, the ex-druggie screenwriter,
• Jamie, the so-called documentarian, and
• Andy, the much younger half-brother of Richard and Jamie.

Here’s what the novel is about:

• Dyer as a writer is a huge topic. He is the author of the much praised and read Ampersand (think Catcher in the Rye or A Separate Peace).

• The father/son/brother relationships are examined.

• Gilbert also paints a vivid picture of New York’s Upper East Side. The setting could almost be another character in the novel.

There is weirdness, humor, and even sadness in this novel. Despite a slow start and a goofy plot twist, I did enjoy reading this. The setting is fantastic, and A. N. Dyer and his sons are very interesting characters.

12/16/13