Elaine White's Life in Books

Review will be word-for-word as included in the Eric Arvin Greatest Hits review.

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Honestly, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to say about this one. This wasn't the fun-loving or prank-ridden story that Simple Men was. Though I suspect the two stories exist in the same universe – because of Verona College – this story is more mature. It's like the Papa Bear to the Pimply Teen.

The story started with Tony, who was a shocking portrayal of a self portrait for me. Though I'm not male and my medical condition is different to his, everything is the same. The stick (I use it occasionally, when not using my wheelchair) and the emotions of his character are just me. Not even relatable or real to me, but me. I've thought or done the same things so many times that it was a really sudden reflective moment I wasn't emotionally prepared for. We're both anti-social because of our conditions, on benefits and see the world outside our homes as something grey and frightening. It took me a long time and not so pleasant a journey to accept that truth. Tony's journey is much nicer.

The characters – with the exception of the unsociable Tony – are all cheerful, hopeful and full of spice. They want this holiday to be the best ever, each harbouring their own secrets, their own plans and hopes for what it might bring to their lives. Tony is there grudgingly, at first, until the gardens and their gardener give him a reason to stay that is all his own. For himself.

Jerry is...he makes me sad. Just thinking about him makes me want to cry and I did, while reading his journey. More than once. I hadn't expected that, when he first showed up in the story, but it became clear really quickly that I didn't have to worry about Tony, because Jerry was the one with the broken heart and mind. He was the one that desperately needed happiness. He's so insecure and willingly plays the doormat for Doug to step on. All of their interactions made me wish he could have a better life.

Doug is something else entirely. He's vain, superficial and selfish, but deep down you can sense that he's afraid of being thought of as anything other than a pretty face, because the expectations are too heavy for him to bear. He's used to being in the spotlight and all he really wants is his parents approval, though he goes the wrong way about getting it. He's the typical pretty boy, too afraid to be anything else, because it's always worked for him until now. Until Sal, the gardener ignores him in favour of Tony.

This is a much more serious and not-so-hilarious story than Simple Men. The humour in this is more playful than outright hilarity and the characters and plot come across more sophisticated, in a way, and more mature. There's a meaningful side to the story, if you overlook Doug's behaviour, which ranges from playful to downright ignorant and slutty.

As a little shining light, the cook/caretaker Anna really gives it to Doug and gains my undivided devotion. She's a great, fiery character that offered some meaningful insight. Just as Sal did, when he was with Tony. These two – Anna and Sal – were the wise words and smart thinking of the group of characters. The only people in the whole place who had their lives on track and knew what they wanted.

There were still some laugh-out-loud moments – which got really awkward when it was after midnight, in a house full of sleeping people. But the tender moments were what really got to me. The honesty and the emotion of the moments. Even when Doug turned childish and moody, there were still some really special moments to be had, with the other characters. These moments belong to Sal and Tony, for me. They're the intimate, emotionally connected, tender couple that dreams are made of. They share things that made me melt and love them even more. The sad parts – the parts that ripped out my heart and had me crying, begging for a HEA – belonged to Jerry. That poor, tortured soul.

Of a million quotes that I loved, it was really hard to pick one that beat the rest. There are two quotes that I'd like to use: one is Amazon in-appropriate and the review wouldn't be posted, so I'm reserving it for the Quotes pile on Goodreads. The other, however, would give too much away, so I'm harbouring that little secret close to my chest. But, these two made me cry, so I'm going with these two quotes:

“Doug was in bliss at the happy, well-dressed, good-looking populace. Jerry was invisible. Even in the shop windows, he couldn't see his own reflection for the gleaming muscle boy beside him.”

““Do you trust me?”
“I want to, but...”
“Just trust me. Ripple for me.”
And it was almost a literal thing, the rippling. Tony felt it run through him, touching everything inside. It was warm and comfortable. He took Sal's outstretched hand and let the cane fall to the ground.”

I can't finish that quote, because it would ruin the story for you. But, suffice it to say that this last line was what really hit me and it came later, but directly related to this event.
“And the world is yours again,” said Sal.”