Spring [Hardcover]

Narrated from a variety of points of view, "Spring" relates the relationship of James and Katherine. He is an often failed entrepreneurial character who falls for the charms of Katherine, currently working in a London luxury hotel as an interim job, and separated from her photographer-husband. The problem for James is that Katherine is only interested in the pursuit of that perfect happiness scenario and so analyses her feelings constantly - much to the distress of James. But this is a lot more than a "males don't understand females" tale.

At the risk of a sweeping generalisation, a lot of books will have you believe that relationships either involve love at first sight and, while there might be obstacles along the way, two people will ultimately end up together, or alternatively deal with the aftermath of relationships gone wrong. But life isn't always like that. "Spring" acknowledges that love is often not equal. It can be indecisive and frustrating. It's certainly frustrating for James.

He is a thirty something man who has a tendency to jump into things both feet first. He's generally pretty decisive, though not always successfully as a host of failed business ventures in his life show. He has been successful and then lost it all on a number of occasions and his latest get rich quick scheme involves a horse racing scam. So when he encounters Katherine, a woman recently separated from her husband, at a friend's wedding, things are not going to be smooth. There is an attraction, but he is much more into the relationship than she ever is. Her indecision is frustrating to him and while the reader might get equally frustrated with her and scream "leave it, she's not worth it", it's not that simple for him. More than anything the book is very real. The situation is believable and the dialogue superb.

While it's a book that some will find frustrating, not least due to the frequent switches in time frame which can make keeping track of the plot line like trying to watch a particular sock in a spin dryer, if you just let it sweep over you, the total effect is superb. It is a little kaleidoscopic in approach which is a style that is seemingly quite "in" at the moment. So we get aspects of the story told from a number of points of view and it can be a little difficult trying to keep track. Often these are not critical to the central plot line, which some may find irritating, but they are so well written that I quickly began to welcome them. It's just as well as much of the central plot involves James phoning Katherine and her not answering!

Offsetting this though is the superb writing. Szalay is always aware of light throughout the book and we get frequently superb descriptions of slight variations in light as locations and weather change. While we normally associate Spring with an awakening or re-birth, it equally marks a passing of the old and a word that Szalay uses several times is "evanescence" (it this was an episode of "Sesame Street" this would be the featured word of this book) emphasising the gradual fading away of the past.

Another positive of Szalay`s writing is that, unlike a great many writers, he handles the, always tricky, subject of writing about his characters' sex lives with great aplomb. Even when not much is happening in the plot, the writing is enthralling but not in an overly literary way. Who knew, for example that bursting soap suds in a bath sound exactly like light rainfall? Close your eyes and try it; he's right. Szalay is very good at little details like that.

My biggest concern throughout was for poor Hugo, the St Bernard that James owns in his small London flat. When James often stops over at Katherine`s flat, poor old Hugo gets left to fend for himself and I couldn't help wanting to call the RSPCA and report him for this.

Szalay is certainly a writer to look out for - and to learn how to pronounce (apparently it is "saw-loy") - but thanks to on-line book shopping, you don't need to!

Having been lent Szalay's first novel London and the South East, which i was very impressed with, thought i'd get this book too. It is excellent. I was laughing out loud a good many times and it flew by, I had it finished in a few days. I wouldn't want to read a proper review of any book before I read it to be honest - negatives get magnified and even if they are entirely positive they might sway your own interpretation of it. Besides, nothing I say can really give justice to the excellent writing that this book provides throughout. Don't let the other reviewer put you off, you'll miss out on something special, in my opinion. Will I remember this book for a long time? yes, it felt very fresh and original. Did I want to quote bits of it to anyone who'd listen? Many times, it's one of those books you want to share, pointless though that tends to be out of context. If you've been in the same loving relationship since you were 16, then read this to catch up on the painfully interesting bits you've perhaps missed out on; for the rest of us, having scratched around in a relationship or two at some point, you'll recognise a lot of this book, and you'll laugh and often - if you're anything like me - you'll think, genius. Anyway, decide for yourself by reading it.

A love story unlike all others, but strangely comforting in it's familiarity and honest simplicity. The characters, unlike most protagonists in a love story, engage in a ballad of emotional and sexual dependency and indifference.

It is a very ordinary story, in which the every-day becomes extraordinary, and where mundane observation, obsession and self-reflection are fascinating. The simplicity of the story, and the very genuine challenges present in any modern, urban romance satisfy more deeply than the promise of a happy ending.

The sensation of dread and disappointment are as genuine and real as the lust, faith and optimism that are expressed between a thoughtful young man, and the wounded woman he falls in love with.

More-so than being enviable, or even particularly likeable, the characters are unbearably real. And their love story unfolds calmly in a painful but vaguely reassuring way.

I would recommend this bold and highly original story to everyone who loves good fiction.
Witty, entertaining, expressive, and thoughtful; it is always a pleasure to read David Szalay.

I am already looking forward to his next novel.