Blake, a recovering addict, is continuously trying to better his life. But just as things improve, they also then start to crash down...

An eyeopening account of a character battling through addiction. I was a little confused by the ending of the book, and how the book just completely changed towards the end. This is why the three stars. However, it is definitely worth a read, it's a very quick story.

I’m not sure what I was expecting with this book but this wasn’t it!

Blake, who works in telesales, and his girlfriend Jenda (an artist) are both recovering heroin addicts and are living the straight life although, it must be said, they are not totally loving it. But when Jenda leaves him and he is without his fake opioid medicine (I forget what they called it) because of a credit card mix up - he goes off the rails. He becomes obsessed with one man (client of the company) that he been chasing for an outstanding debt and the feud spirals out of control with dire consequences.

That’s it in a nutshell. I really couldn’t relate to the characters and the plot seemed pointless. There are others who enjoyed this more than I did and I suggest you check out their reviews. The dialogue was mildly amusing which was the strongest element of the story. This book just wasn’t a good fit for me. Many thanks to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

The title and cover of this book grabbed my attention right away and the description sounded unusual and interesting so I submitted a request to read it through Netgalley and was approved. The cover ended up to be a visual metaphor if that's the proper term but very clever in my opinion.

This novel is very short, just under 200 pages I think, although it's hard to tell on the Kindle. We follow Blake Seever, a recovering heroin addict, as he tries to stay sober and make a normal life for himself and his girlfriend Jenda, also a recovering addict.

As we spend days inside Blake's head we realize how hard it is for him to fight those cravings for the drug and I was really rooting for him. He works at a telephone call centre, is a good salesman and seems proud of the job he does until things go sideways as he becomes obsessed with a customer whose account is in arrears. I liked the book and was pretty involved in the story but wished it had been expanded a bit more. It was certainly different.

Many thanks to Black Rose Writing via Netgalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 22, 2022

The Phone in the Fishbowl
by Joseph Hirsch

Description
Blake Seever is really trying this time. After nearly destroying his life (and the lives of those around him) with his heroin addiction, he's completed a treatment program and is now working a steady square gig at Telesolutions, a cold-calling firm that offers everything from cosmetics to green vending options.

This should be the most boring part of recovery, slowly acclimating back to a normal life, a normal job with normal hours. But when one phone call goes awry, Blake finds himself in a struggle with the man on the other end of the line that may prove fatal.

The Phone in the Fishbowl is a postmodern tale of a duel to reclaim lost honor, with shades of everything from Arthur Schnitzler's Lieutenant Gustl to Mike Judge's Office Space.


How could I not cheerfor Blake. It was watching someone too privatly as he tries to just get ahead. Then the worse happens. I really loved this book and the cover.

This book was an interesting look into the mind of a person who is addicted to heroin. The addiction itself is often its own character, with thoughts and dialog in the story. I have not ever been addicted to anything, but have learned that the strength of an addiction often knows no bounds, and it was gut-wrenching to read about its hold on Blake. I was really rooting for him throughout the book.

I think that this book could be a good read for both people who have had addictions, and those who have not. People who have had addictions can relate to Blake, and understand his actions. People who have not had an addiction can get an idea of what it may be like to suffer from one, and possibly get some insight on how to feel empathy for someone they may know who is addicted.

I struggled with this one. I just couldn't get used to the writing style. The story itself was mediocre but the characters were the focus. I couldn't bond with them and therefore couldn't get into the story. This just wasn't !y cup of tea.

Never before have I read a book that has pulled me into the life of a character like this book has. It felt so voyeuristic and at times it was as though I were right inside the head of the main character. Blake is a nice guy who has made some poor choices in his life, and I really connected with him for that reason. He is such an underdog in many ways, and I found myself wanting him to rise above and persevere. I found this book to be heavily character driven and light on plot, but I liked it in spite of this due to the character being so well thought out. I really cared about Blake and his problems. I wasn't expecting the book to end the way it did, but it was fitting because Blake got what he ultimately desired.

The writing flowed well and was easy to comprehend, which made it a pretty fast read. I give this book a solid 4 star rating because I did enjoy it; I just wish the story itself had a little bit more to it.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Black Rose Writing and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Interesting, entertaining and a new twist on a favorite genre. Thrills abound.