Sean Randall reviewed Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David
Review of 'Sir Apropos of Nothing' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
It's been almost three weeks since I had the time or inclination to pick up a novel. I don't exactly know why I've struggled to read lately, but getting back into the literary arts was certainly something on my agenda. And with what a title to start...
"there's nothing like seeing twenty armed men arriving too late to do anything about a disaster that truly stirs the heart to bursting with emotion."
That's the entire ambiance of this novel. Every joke, gibe, jape and jest appears to be one thing but turns out to be something utterly different. Even the characters break the mould.
"I am by trade neither writer nor historian; I am merely a master of fabrication, which I am told is all one requires to take up either of the aforementioned pursuits."
So says Apropos, hero, narrator, look-out of his own fait and nothing else. Apropos is …
It's been almost three weeks since I had the time or inclination to pick up a novel. I don't exactly know why I've struggled to read lately, but getting back into the literary arts was certainly something on my agenda. And with what a title to start...
"there's nothing like seeing twenty armed men arriving too late to do anything about a disaster that truly stirs the heart to bursting with emotion."
That's the entire ambiance of this novel. Every joke, gibe, jape and jest appears to be one thing but turns out to be something utterly different. Even the characters break the mould.
"I am by trade neither writer nor historian; I am merely a master of fabrication, which I am told is all one requires to take up either of the aforementioned pursuits."
So says Apropos, hero, narrator, look-out of his own fait and nothing else. Apropos is quite a messed-up guy, and his chronicled adventures in this novel kept me highly entertained from start to finish. the language is so well used that it's almost impossible to imagine things going any other way, but it doesn't stop there. the environs and universe in which the novel is set is by no means done in sweeping grandeur, but we get enough detail to know what's going on at any time.
characterisation, dialog and pithy insight make the novel a cut above anything I've read for a while, and it's great fun to read - one feels as if one is peering over Apropos' shoulder and peeking into his hapless misfortunes.
"It was disconcerting to realize that I was in agreement with someone whom I considered to be only slightly smarter than a mushroom I'd just mashed beneath my foot."
Apropos himself is hardly the sort of hero one wants to feel kinship with - in fact, I can hardly stand him, as a person. Although he is generally true to his ethos, and there's something to be said for that - he's also a first rate top-class egoist. as much as I may dislike him, though, the twists, turns and surprises thrown at me throughout this book made me utterly unable to put it down. I hate apropos, but I love reading about him, and so there's no doubt I intend to stuff a sock in my mouth to stop myself from laughing, and go pick up the next book in the hopes that the story is continued with accustomed aplomb.