Review: The Flip Side: A Novel

The Flip Side: A Novel by James Bailey
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 43%, I should have realised when it was described as the laugh out loud comedy of the year.

Josh thinks he is living his best life, living and working with his girlfriend. Then he proposes and she says no. Suddenly his world falls apart, he's out of work and back living with his parents. Disappointed with his life choices Josh decides to live his life on the flip of a coin (like the Diceman).

I think this sort of novel works better in a bigger, American setting, or maybe with a more likeable MC, generally Josh's decisions are things like should he go on a blind date set up by his mum, or should he go to the pub quiz, or to his ten year school reunion - nothing earth-shattering or, frankly, interesting. He's jobless, clueless and more like a 13 year old than a 28 year old man. He meets a girl randomly in the National Gallery, fails to find out anything about her and lets down his friends. I just didn't like him and didn't care whether he turned his life around. I didn't find it funny, I think it's like Marmite or Father Ted, you either love it or loath it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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