This Is How It Really Sounds

This book was perfect for someone like me who is just beginning to experience the "crises" of mid-life. I love each character and all are distinctive yet somehow identifiable with aspects of ourselves. I laughed out loud at the misadventures and startling revelations that our heroes faced. This was an "I can't put it down until it's finished" novel, and will be at the top of my Spring/Summer recommended reads,

Terrific! Clever eloquence ....lots of fun....and serious thinking!

The plot is exciting with unexpected twists....yet the plot itself is only part of this story. The set-up at the 'beginning' -and the final pages at the 'end' - tie this novel together like a beautiful Holiday package with a sparkling bow on top.

Pete Harrington, (rock star), goes to Shanghai to find Peter Harrington (financier), to "kick-the-crap" out of him. Pete is broke --and blames Peter. Peter Harrington cooked up some sort of bond fund and sold out for three million. Then he bet against it, and when the crash came he walked away with another four million. (betting against the people who just bought him out).

Before Pete takes his trip to Shanghai to find Peter --he must get in shape to KICK-THE-CRAP- out of Peter. He hires a man named Charlie (retired CIA assasin), to help him get in shape. Its been twenty years since Pete has been at the top of his game. He is out of work -out of money -out of shape. He no longer has a manager, a stylist, an assistant. He has an ex-wife -a few friends. His friend Duffy thinks Pete is "flippin crazy" to fly all the way to Shanghai just to find Peter to kick his ass. (and so do we-the reader --but we are laughing)

Pete is getting his old power feeling back --writing songs - doing pushups - working with an exercise trainer -ready to confront his man Peter! (wealthy financier),
The majority of the story seems as if its about Pete and Peter...

Yet, there is this 'feeling', that something deeper is going on....(maybe this story is about something else)????
Here's a quote about half way through this novel, (and there are more hidden messages), which begins to set the reader wondering.....

"And strangely, maybe because he was working on a song about that house, he saw himself impossibly, so very impossibly, sitting by a fire with a son and wife and outside all around just snow, and snow, and snow. Some life he'd never get a chance to live, that didn't make sense when you're sitting in an office on Wilshire Boulevard that has an Oompa Loompa costume in the reception."

Stuart Archer Cohen has a distinct style --'refreshing & exciting'. Ambitious & remarkable novel.
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this...
Many thanks and congrats. to the author!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy of This is How it Really Sounds. I'm not sure that it's doing the author or the reader any favour to suggest that this is the next great American novel as some other reviewers have done on Goodreads. I suggest reading this novel without any particular anticipation and taking the story as it comes on its own terms. And approaching it that way -- without any specific expectations -- it's an enjoyable and clever read. It's the story of three men called Peter Harrington. One is an extreme skier, one is a middling rock star and one is the founder of a fallen investment scheme. All three are somewhere in middle age; they have had fame and falls from grace. Their lives have intersected in various ways -- in one particular way that is central to the book. This is not a book with a linear plot, but rather it explores the lives and inner thoughts of these three Peter Harringtons -- and a few other characters along the way. It deals with their intense drive for fame, fortune and thrills -- a drive punctuated with disappointment and the desire for an elusive simpler life. I don't usually like categorizing books according to gender, but this book feels like it has a very male sensibility. I can't say that I identified with the struggles of the three Peters -- but it's a well written, well structured and thoughtful book and I definitely enjoyed reading it. I will be curious to see the broader reception once it is published later this month.

Review published at website Booklover Book Reviews - refer link below.