A fine piece of
comic writing which will keep you entertained from beginning to end. (Review by
Keith Millar)
It is some time
since I enjoyed a book as much as I did Darrel Bristow-Bovey’s new offering, One Midlife Crisis and a Speedo.
Recounting the
trials and tribulations of living through his midlife crisis, the author has
produced a work which is deliciously witty, downright charming, and ultimately
insightful and thought-provoking. It is even a tender love story.
Fast approaching 40,
Bristow-Bovey comes to the realisation that he can no longer deny that he suffering
from a midlife crisis. He decides that in order to deal with the situation he
should embark on a quest. After consulting his bucket list, which contains 70
things he wants to do before he dies, he decides to follow in the footsteps of the
poet Lord Byron and Greek mythical character Leander, and swim across the
Dardanelles.
The Dardanelles is
the long channel of water in Turkey which runs between the Black Sea to the
Aegean and separates the continents of Europe and Asia. It is 61 kilometres
long and up to six kilometres wide and averages 55 metres in depth. It has
strong currents ripping in both directions. The only problem with this quest is
that Bristow-Bovey feels old and tired. He is also petrified of deep, dark water
– and he is not a very good swimmer.
What follows as he
prepares and trains for his quest is hilarious.
One Midlife Crisis and a Speedo is a constantly funny story. I found myself
chuckling out aloud throughout most of the book while some of the incidents,
such as when he visits the doctor for a prostrate test, or when he confronts
his 40 year-old body in the changing-room mirror in a clothing store, or goes
shopping for men’s cosmetics, or when he embarks on the Tim Noakes diet, are
beautifully crafted comic scenes.
Bristow-Bovey is an
erudite and decidedly gifted wordsmith. Other than being the author of three
previous books, he is a popular newspaper columnist, a travel writer and a TV
and film scriptwriter. All his experience and talent has been brought to bear
in the writing of this very enjoyable and entertaining book. He has won awards
for his writings in the past and I would not be at all surprised if more was to
follow from this work.
Everyone who has
reached, or is fast approaching, so-called middle age will be able to relate to
Bristow-Bovey’s story and antics. It may not offer any solutions on how to deal
with your mid-life crisis but will certainly keep you laughing as you battle
through it.
For everyone else
it is a fine piece of comic writing which will keep you entertained from
beginning to end. It would make a perfect Christmas gift for all with a sense
of humour.
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