PAPERBACK ORIGINAL: A Novel About Writing a Novel

This uneven first novel about the misadventures of British 20-something slacker Joshua King has a delightfully offbeat premise: before he commits suicide with an overdose of Viagra, Josh's father, worried that Josh is wasting his life, stipulates in his will that in order to inherit some of his millions, Josh must write a bestselling novel with "a significant part" for the elder King—and he's got five years to do it. The trouble is, Josh is not a novelist. Ostensibly a freelance journalist for a Delhi paper, Josh is mostly loafing his way through India after earning a certificate in word processing. He has little interesting life experience to draw on, so he engineers a scheme that will furnish the raw materials for his novel. His plan is to find mysterious drug dealer Baba—supposedly the head of an international drug ring with ties to Bollywood—earn his trust, steal his money, write the tale of derring-do (incorporating his father, of course) and cash in on his inheritance. Far-fetched? Completely. Engaging? Fitfully. Rhode doesn't always hit the right note in describing Josh's unscrupulous antics; the character's naïve recklessness and immorality often seem merely silly and unpleasant rather than humorously over-the-top. There are also strained attempts to explore the connection between fiction, reality and the creative process. Rhode's prose is brisk and clean, however, and his dialogue snappy and believable. The sheer originality of the plot keeps the pages turning. (Apr. 1)

Forecast:Younger readers with dreams of traveling the world and/or writing a novel are the custom-made audience for this debut, and Rhode's tongue-in-cheek title will speak to them.