Stretch 29 (Stretch 29 - Damian Lanigan)

Member Name: Hope

Product:	Stretch 29 - Damian Lanigan
Date:	09/10/00 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amusing

Disadvantages: None

Frank Stretch is 29 years old, hugely unsuccessful and almost proud of it! By his own scoring system in the important areas of life (money, love, sex, work etc.) he scores an abysmal 29 points out of a possible 100.

Although actually an Oxford graduate, Frank failed to settle into journalism and ended up as manager of a small restaurant. Unable to keep up with his more successful friends, he develops a life of drifting and lethargy until he decides to make a fresh start. His plans, however, are thwarted not only by other people but also by his own thoughtless actions.

The story is very funny and full of irony and jibes at the middle-class life which Frank has failed to attain. Despite some of his own antisocial behaviour, it is difficult not to emphasise with Frank and to be hopeful that he will eventually "make it".

Stretch 29 is the first novel by Damian Lanigan, and in common with many other new novels, it is told from the male perspective. This, combined with its considerable humour, makes it a very entertaining read.

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