Exile on Second Avenue

Winter in New York, and aspiring – but failing – writer Michael Venier is facing a major life crisis: nearing the second anniversary of his father’s suicide, and days away from his younger sister’s wedding, he has decided to kill himself. The book runs through what could be the last few days of his life as he tries to say goodbye to old friends and somehow come to terms with his past.

This is not a happy read, be warned, and most of the characters are a pretty nasty bunch, especially Michael himself: self-centred, alcoholic, popping pills, and prone to violent fits of temper. As the week progresses we learn more about the events surrounding his father’s suicide, and yes, we are perhaps meant to sympathise with the main character as he struggles with his grief and guilt at the burden he carries. His nights are filled with dreams of his dead father, and his days are haunted by the ticking of the watch his father once gave him as a gift. There is any number of metaphors and outward symbols of Michael’s inner turmoil: he smashes up his father’s study, his mother gives him a present of the watch his father was wearing when he died, and he himself is to walk his sister down the aisle to give her away, in the absence of his father.

This is a book about carrying loss and of families failing to connect. It is about what is left unsaid, and about the burden men carry in supporting families and hiding their true feelings. These are worthy things to address, but for me the book just didn’t connect with me. There was, unfortunately, little for me to try and sympathise with Michael and his decision, and at the end – which may or may not be some sort of resolution – I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction. Maybe this is what the author is trying to achieve: throughout the book other characters try to get Michael to open up, but their attempts feel half-hearted sometimes. I give it 3 stars because it treats a subject that needs to be discussed, but I just felt a slight disconnect from any emotional heart in the book.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.)

I really enjoyed this book. However, it needs to be better edited and maybe flushed out a little more. This is a tough book to read, but if you are a fan of "Leaving Las Vegas" you will enjoy this novel. It is a short novel and I read it in one sitting. It is not a perfect book, but I highly recommend it.

Exile On Second Avenue by James Walsh

Michael Venice: A struggling writer struggling to make his dreams into a reality while dealing with life’s struggles and copping with grief of his fathers passing that sickens him.

Nearing the second anniversary of his fathers suicide, and so close to his younger sister; Rachel’s wedding, Michael has decided that his time being alive is over and plans to kill him self after the wedding is done. People in his life try to help him understand what’s going on within himself and try to offer him help but he just won’t accept it. He has to come to terms with his life mistakes, past memories that still haunt him as well as trying to say his last goodbyes to the people that matter the most within his life.

This story is one that talks about the ugly side depression; but the side where one doesn’t want to admit they need help before it’s to late. It won’t be a glamorous read, but it is a read that gets you thinking about what could of happened if one thing was done differently. This book shows actions of what some people may be struggling with on a daily bases that we may not even notice one is going through.

I hope anyone reading this book and is going through a hard time knows that it get will get better as time passes and there are people willing to help you succeed and get better when you think the world is just to dark for you. Everyone is going to take this story a different way but I hope with all that I can that you know you’re not alone.
(Major thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book in return for an honest review)

This was not an easy book to read and going against my better judgement, i decided to give it a go. My son committed suicide over 3 yrs ago, hence i could relate to this story. There were times when i had to put the book down and it wasn't due to anything other than emotions. Other than that, it is an excellent book and would highly recommend it.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, freely given.