Andrew Sean Greer

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018 'You will sob little tears of joy' Nell Zink 'I recommend it with my whole heart' Ann Patchett 'I adore this book' Armistead Maupin 'Charming, languid and incredibly funny, I absolutely adored Arthur' Jenny Colgan 'Marvellously, endearingly, unexpectedly funny' Gary Shteyngart 'Bedazzling, bewitching and be-wonderful' New York Times Book Review 'A fast and rocketing read . . . a wonderful, wonderful book!' Karen Joy Fowler 'Hilarious, and wise, and abundantly funny' Adam Haslett WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS? Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the post: it is from an ex-boyfriend of nine years who is engaged to someone else. Arthur can't say yes - it would be too awkward; he can't say no - it would look like defeat. So, he begins to accept the invitations on his desk to half-baked literary events around the world. From France to India, Germany to Japan, Arthur almost falls in love, almost falls to his death, and puts miles between him and the plight he refuses to face. Less is a novel about mishaps, misunderstandings and the depths of the human heart.

A Novel

Less

Daniel Lindquist

Why did he always assume Mexico City would be like Phoenix on a smoggy day? Why did no one tell him it would be Madrid? 

There was wonderful sex, and no talk aferward of I forgot to tell you Janet called, or Did you put the parking permit on the car? or Remember, I'm going to LA tomorrow. Just sex and a smile: Isn't it wonderful to get what you want and pay no price? 

Was this how men felt? Straight men? Alone so often, but if they faltered if they lost a wedding ring! then the whole band of brothers would descend to fix the problem? Life was not hard; you shouldered it bravely, knowing all the time that if you sent the signal, help would arrive. How wonderful to be part of such a club. Half a dozen men gathered around, engaged in the task. To save his narriage and his pride. So they did have hearts, after all. They were not cold, cruel dominators; they were not high school bullies to be avoided in the halls. They were good; they were kind; they came to the rescue. And today Less was one of them. 

Mescal turns out to be a drink that tastes as if someone has put their cigarette out in it. 

Any twenty five year old who says the word refinance should be taken out and shot. Talk about love and music and poetry. Things everyone forgets they ever thought were important. Waste every day, that's what I say. 

"How did they even know I was gay?" He asked this from his front porch, wearing a kimono. 

It's a sad little cockfight they arrange because they have no talent themselves.

Zohra's voice comes loudly from her camel: "Shut the fuck up! Enjoy the fucking sunset on your fucking camels! Jesus!"

And there is his three- vear-old daughter, who runs around wearing nothing but a rhinestone necklace (who wouldn't, if they could?). 

“The key to speaking a new language,” she told them, “is to be bold instead of perfect.”

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