Valet Reader

I have been made aware by several people that this book has been getting mixed reviews. It’s very much so my policy to not read other reviews prior to reading a book or writing my review. Unfortunately, as in this case, that is not always possible. In this particular instance, once I finished the book and before writing this review, I decided to read some of the more biting reviews. I did so because I was curious why people were upset with the book, something I will get to later. My review, however, will not be a scathing review, instead it will be review wherein I tell you why I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.

I had to read the first page of this book several times, I didn’t get it. It just did not make sense. But, I moved on and soon enough it did make sense and I didn’t want to stop reading regardless of how late it was getting.

Some time ago I read Ferris’ first novel Then We Came To The End, a book which I found to be amusing, light and fun to read and often times associate with the tv show The Office. I’m not going to lie, going into The Unnamed I had expected something very much the same. But boy could I have been any more wrong. Instead of being light, this book struck me as being extremely heavy and dense in content and theme. From where I see it, the book is a dynamic look at family and in particular how the family in this novel deals with a problem which seems insurmountable.

What would you do if your legs started moving without your conscience ability to stop them? I for one would probably a.) scream out for help, b.) tie my feet together, c.) put on roller skates or d.) enjoy the ride. Four very viable solutions if you ask me. Actually, I’d be scared out of my mind. That right there is pretty much the premise of this novel (not the four options bit of course). Tim Farnsworth is afflicted by an unknown disease or psychological illness which causes him one day to start walking, with no power to stop, and continue walking until he crumples in exhaustion wherever he may be. Unfortunately for him and his family this is not a singular occurrence. In some instances it leaves him out in the cold in the dead of night wearing next to nothing close to freezing. In others it puts him in contact with people whom he has no strength to resist and into harms way.

Eventually his walking takes it’s toll, not only on Tim but his whole family. His wife turns to vices and his only daughter believes for a time that it is all a farce and isolates herself. Allegorically it could be said that he is walking not just for the sake of walking, but to get away from those who love and support him so he will not constrict them and to get away from the stress and monotony of being a high powered attorney.

Between the hardships of the disease there are periods of calm seas. More than once the disease goes into remission during which the family ties are bound once again and the corporate attorney resumes his work. One would hope that the novel would end on high note but as always, what kind of a reviewer would I be if I spoiled the ending for you.

If you can’t already tell I really liked this book. It was different, it dealt with difficult themes in a fresh new way and can teach a person quite a bit, especially when it comes to taking things for granted. Just as Tim’s feet wouldn’t stop for anything, I could not put this book down once I started it.

Okely dokely, now that I’ve given you my rundown of the book, it’s time for me to address a few of the naysayers. I think many people had high expectations for Mr. Ferris’ sophomore effort and therefore were setting themselves up for disappointment. Not only that but they, like me, were probably expecting something more humorous and instead got a dark, sad story which probably set them off further. I can’t necessarily fault these people, but I can see this novel for what it is, a great, moving piece of experimental literature. It’s nearly impossible to go into a book with high expectation and come away from it feeling that way. I often times feel that way with movies (ahem, Avatar) and I’m sure I’m not alone.

I think one of the more common arguments against this book I’ve read is that the characters are two dimensional and don’t have enough depth to fall in love with. To this, I’d have to disagree. Granted Tim’s daughter in the book, Becca, isn’t developed into a full character until much later in the book each is relevant and at least for me came off the pages.

There are a couple other negative points from these jerks I could point out but I’d rather not provide you with anything more prior to reading the book yourself. Just as I don’t like to ever judge a book before opening I don’t want you to do the same. You may very well dislike this book, and that’s fine, or you may feel the way I do about it. Either way, I personally think it’s worth picking up and finding out.

Oh yeah, I love walking by the way.