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A review by zefrog
The Peculiar History of Oliver Trent by Peter Mitchell
2.0
Although there are several interesting unusual elements about The Peculiar History of Oliver Trent , it is in the end, disappointingly unoriginal as a story.
Although he is the eponymous character, Oliver Trent only slowly emerges as the main protagonist of the book, which is a version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's [b:The Curious Case of Benjamin Button|747746|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331235364l/747746._SY75_.jpg|1650517] with a gay twist. The book even borrows the title structure to the 1922 short story. This reversed aging of the lead is the most unusual aspect of the narrative but one that is never fully explained, and doesn't add anything of particular value to the piece. More than a meaningful narrative device, it is nothing more than a superfluous gimmick.
Interesting facets of the book include Trent's move to and experience of living in Thailand (which is at least partly autobiographical), or the weaving in of historical elements to the story, including references to episodes of the gay rights movement in the UK (more autobiography?) and the AIDS epidemic.
Oddly, although the timeline of the book is so firmly anchored to real events, and the passage of time should be central to a novel whose main character ages backward, the depiction of the passage of time is the weakest and least successful element of Mitchell's narrative. Although we cover well over 30 years, there is no real sense of time passing, and it could just as well all have taken place within a few years.
The writing is good, and even if reading the book may teach some readers a few new rare words ("to animadvert", anyone?), it is essentially an easy, undemanding read. But it is a shame that despite its good and distinctive ideas, The Peculiar History of Oliver Trent should ultimately be so lackluster and forgettable.
PS: The description found on the back cover is not truly reflective of what is in the book. Although, yes, technically all that is referenced there does happen in the novel, it not a attempt to answer any of these questions as if they were mysteries. They are just plot points.
This is the first volume of a trilogy.
Although he is the eponymous character, Oliver Trent only slowly emerges as the main protagonist of the book, which is a version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's [b:The Curious Case of Benjamin Button|747746|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331235364l/747746._SY75_.jpg|1650517] with a gay twist. The book even borrows the title structure to the 1922 short story. This reversed aging of the lead is the most unusual aspect of the narrative but one that is never fully explained, and doesn't add anything of particular value to the piece. More than a meaningful narrative device, it is nothing more than a superfluous gimmick.
Interesting facets of the book include Trent's move to and experience of living in Thailand (which is at least partly autobiographical), or the weaving in of historical elements to the story, including references to episodes of the gay rights movement in the UK (more autobiography?) and the AIDS epidemic.
Oddly, although the timeline of the book is so firmly anchored to real events, and the passage of time should be central to a novel whose main character ages backward, the depiction of the passage of time is the weakest and least successful element of Mitchell's narrative. Although we cover well over 30 years, there is no real sense of time passing, and it could just as well all have taken place within a few years.
The writing is good, and even if reading the book may teach some readers a few new rare words ("to animadvert", anyone?), it is essentially an easy, undemanding read. But it is a shame that despite its good and distinctive ideas, The Peculiar History of Oliver Trent should ultimately be so lackluster and forgettable.
PS: The description found on the back cover is not truly reflective of what is in the book. Although, yes, technically all that is referenced there does happen in the novel, it not a attempt to answer any of these questions as if they were mysteries. They are just plot points.
This is the first volume of a trilogy.