Adam Foulds

Very Different Worlds Collide

Dream Sequence does a nice job of rotating both fan obsession with celebrities and celebrity obsession with bigger celebrity over an open fire of droll wit. In the novel, which was long-listed for the Giller Prize, we begin with Kristin, visit her scant seconds in the live of the novel, and then settle in with Henry for a longer bout of desire, neurosis, and insecurity, until Kristin, who we have expected all along, reappears on the scene to find the object of her obsession.

In Philadelphia, Kristin doesn’t have much in her life, except for her love of Henry, an actor she has watched raptly on a PBS style show about the British upper crust. She writes letters of endearment to Henry, who for some reason never answers them, especially when he knows her. Yes, she bumped into him while on a vacation. From that one brief touch, she has worked up a fantasy that they are in love, or that once they renew their acquaintanceship love will ensue. To that end, later in the novel, she takes off for London, Henry’s home.

Is Henry worthy of such rabid desire and affection? Adam Foulds paints a pretty detailed picture of Henry, and he turns out to be human. Insecurity racks him. He’s a television actor. He’s in a period piece. He’s a stereotype. He may never be anything more. Unless, that is, he lands a role in Miguel García’s new film. García’s a composite of director-auteurs you may be familiar with, those of the fat and slovenly school. Henry frets over auditioning for him. Then frets over preparing for the role. Then anguishes over getting physically prepared for the role. Then goes off on a film festival junket in Doha, where he relaxes, somewhat, after taking up with Virginia, one of the women hired to guide guests from event to event. A rogue of sorts, the Virginia thing surprises by turning into a real thing for him and her, or at least as real as anything can get for the guy.

After our long time with Henry, with him on the verge of getting all he wishes, Kristin lands in London. She sees him in Hamlet. She sees his father’s tortured musical centered on the Browning-Barrett love letters, and bumps into to Henry.

Now, you might think you have guessed the ending, but you’re probably very wrong. Sure, things go awry, but how and why, and just how amiss they go, well, that’s for readers of the novel to discover for themselves. And, and yes, Henry does do something in character for him, but dastardly none-the-less, at least if you develop any regard for Kristin.… (mere)

Very Different Worlds Collide

Dream Sequence does a nice job of rotating both fan obsession with celebrities and celebrity obsession with bigger celebrity over an open fire of droll wit. In the novel, which was long-listed for the Giller Prize, we begin with Kristin, visit her scant seconds in the live of the novel, and then settle in with Henry for a longer bout of desire, neurosis, and insecurity, until Kristin, who we have expected all along, reappears on the scene to find the object of her obsession.

In Philadelphia, Kristin doesn’t have much in her life, except for her love of Henry, an actor she has watched raptly on a PBS style show about the British upper crust. She writes letters of endearment to Henry, who for some reason never answers them, especially when he knows her. Yes, she bumped into him while on a vacation. From that one brief touch, she has worked up a fantasy that they are in love, or that once they renew their acquaintanceship love will ensue. To that end, later in the novel, she takes off for London, Henry’s home.

Is Henry worthy of such rabid desire and affection? Adam Foulds paints a pretty detailed picture of Henry, and he turns out to be human. Insecurity racks him. He’s a television actor. He’s in a period piece. He’s a stereotype. He may never be anything more. Unless, that is, he lands a role in Miguel García’s new film. García’s a composite of director-auteurs you may be familiar with, those of the fat and slovenly school. Henry frets over auditioning for him. Then frets over preparing for the role. Then anguishes over getting physically prepared for the role. Then goes off on a film festival junket in Doha, where he relaxes, somewhat, after taking up with Virginia, one of the women hired to guide guests from event to event. A rogue of sorts, the Virginia thing surprises by turning into a real thing for him and her, or at least as real as anything can get for the guy.

After our long time with Henry, with him on the verge of getting all he wishes, Kristin lands in London. She sees him in Hamlet. She sees his father’s tortured musical centered on the Browning-Barrett love letters, and bumps into to Henry.

Now, you might think you have guessed the ending, but you’re probably very wrong. Sure, things go awry, but how and why, and just how amiss they go, well, that’s for readers of the novel to discover for themselves. And, and yes, Henry does do something in character for him, but dastardly none-the-less, at least if you develop any regard for Kristin.… (mere)