Quicksand

The second novel from Toltz (A Fraction of the Whole) is all about the eccentric and ambitious Aldo Benjamin. Set in Australia, Aldo’s tragicomic story is told by his friend, policeman and failed writer Liam Wilder. Plagued by mountains of debt and dogged by a series of deaths, Aldo botches one suicide attempt, and the collateral damage leads to an accusation of attempted infanticide. Uncommonly unlucky, Aldo’s bad fortune stretches back into his high school years when, as a virgin, he was falsely accused of rape. Later in life he is accused of murdering his girlfriend, and his digressive testimony at the subsequent trial occupies the second half of the book. Yet Aldo remains constantly buoyed by ideas for another business plan, another scheme, another way to die. Eventually Aldo finds himself crippled—marooned on a magic beach, and it is there that he finally concocts the perfect business plan. Toltz channels a poet’s delight in crafting the perfect phrase on every highly quotable page. In his epic lack of employment and sincere lust for life, Aldo Benjamin is quite a memorable character. By turns hilarious and hopeless, Toltz’s novel is a tender portrait of a charming and talented loser. (Sept.)