Unfiction is a silly, fun read. It didn’t require a lot of brain power to follow the plot and I was able to read it fairly quickly. Even though this is a self published novel don’t be afraid. This is not your stereotypical self published novel. The writing is strong. World building is complete, the characters make sense (where they are supposed to), and the plot, while imaginative and silly, is complete. I enjoyed the blend of genres and styles in Unfiction. The idea behind the novel is kind of “what would happen if your writing came to life” and it was fun to read. I’m planning to read more novels by Gene Doucette.
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review via NetGalley.**

What a wonderfully weird quirky book. I was intrigued with the first chapter and then got sucked into every single story! I didn't see the end coming as it did and was greatly overjoyed at that fact as so many books now you can see through from beginning to end. It also taxes the memory a little, there was a lot of minute details that I needed to go back and check. I wouldn't think it would be possible to fit 6 genre's in one novel but here it is, in black and white.Never having read Mr. Doucette's books before I'm now looking forward to reading more. If you are looking for something a little more than your one genre book or looking for something to get you out of that reading slump, I'd pick this up and probably forego all afternoon plans! And that cover!

Reminiscent of Green and Butcher, this is an excellent example of what alternative urban fiction should encompass. Very enjoyable.

"How can we tell a story that has been told a hundred times before, give readers who like that story what they want, and at the same time surprise them with something new? Is there a way to do that?"

3.5 stars

When Fiction comes knocking on the door of Reality, do you want to open the door? Will you?

That is the question Oliver -a young, unsuspecting, unpublished, aspiring writer- must answer, even though it seems he doesn't have much say in the matter. Somehow characters and events from all his different, unfinished stories -whether they are from the genre fantasy, mystery, sci-fi or espionage - appear and try & manage to catch up with him. Especially as some of them are way better at running fast than Oliver, PLUS they seem to get help from a seemingly real, but mysterious girl, Minerva, on whom Oliver has a huge crush.

"Stories should be finished, and one day he would have to figure out what it was like."

The question is: SO NOW WHAT?

The answer is that Oliver must untangle all the different yarns he has been spinning, go on his own hero's quest whether it is fiction or reality.

This has been a fun and interesting book to read. I loved the concept and also the way the author, Gene Doucette realised it. Admittedly, you have to be in the mood for it, because the story takes a long time to start and sometimes drags a bit, but it is full of humour and an author's self-mockery.

My favourite moment was when Oliver was trying to work out -with the help of Google- how to write a romance book with all the tropes appealing to women - that was priceless.