Some Great Thing

by Colin McAdam

Two men--one a self-made contractor, the other a disaffected businessman--become friends and seek to find happiness in a world that seems bent on keeping both of them dissatisfied with their lives.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Novels

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2004

About the author

Colin McAdam was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Denmark, England and Barbados, as well as in several cities in Canada. He studied English and Classics at McGill University and the University of Toronto, and received his PhD in English Literature from Cambridge University in England.

He has written for Harper's Magazine and The Walrus. He lives in Montreal and has a son named Charlie who lives in Australia.

His first novel SOME GREAT THING won the Books in Canada / Amazon.ca First Novel Award and was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Best First Book), and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in the UK.

His second novel FALL was published in 2009

Reviews

[Kinga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally. I have finished this bloody book. It took me, I think, three weeks. And I can't explain why. It was well written (most of the time), there WAS a storyline, the characters were quite original and should be interesting but for some reason I didn't care at all. Maybe you have to be Canadian to feel this book. Or maybe it was the wrong phase of the Moon. Or who knows. I only became somewhat interested in it around page 230. But I think I can describe the whole experience as 'meh'. Which is why I need to read some silly historical romance now. See, what you did to me Colin McAdam?

[Robert Wechsler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second Ottawa novel of the year. In fact, my second novel that involves the Canadian government. And, fortunately, this one is as good as the first (André Alexis’ "Asylum"). This novel, too, is far better than its description. It seems like McAdam can do anything he likes, and it works. He cares nothing about breaking rules, trying this and that (a.k.a. experimenting). How many excellent Canadian writers are there hiding out across the border?

[Rubberboots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Ottawa, a nice story of life, successes and failures, and relationships (good and bad, mostly bad). Great at times, boring other times, this one just didn't hit the mark for me. I thought the first half was a struggle, but the story picked up nicely in the 2nd half - much more humorous and witty. A generous 3 *.

[Ann Reichert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. Very entertaining. Great story line with thought provoking ending

[Heep · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am stunned at the low ratings on Goodreads. This is one of the best Canadian novels I have ever read - up with "No Great Mischief" and "The Danger Tree". Not much more that I can say, but I would highly recommend this book.

[Pam Erickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book won some awards but it isn't really my kind of book. It takes place in Ottawa, modern times. It tells about a building contractor, his wife, and his son. It also tells about a man working with the government, approving the kind of projects being done by the contractor. At the time, Ottawa is expanding and decisions are made about land use. Basically, both men have dreams of being someone important.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forced myself to finish this book. It has a great premise, but between the strange stream-of-consciousness/vernacular dialogue, and the odd heightened reality permeating the character relationships, I hurtled between confusion and despair. I'm not sure what the author was intending, but it certainly flew over my head.

[Stew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing..I think all the glowing reviews must have been for another book.Meandered along about relationships and Canadian property development.Read over 200 pages and just couldn't get onto it.

[Mary Ripley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great read. But an insight to thinking of builders/construction trades. How a person can be so focused on the activity of construction and miss being a part family life or noticing when alcohol creates problems. Drifting and probably realistic

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well told. A very compelling read.

[Tess Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of insufferable but also beautiful. And the VOICES! The characters were sort of awful but at least I felt I knew them.

[Kirstie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book while in Ottawa for two Canadian dollars (and the way our economy is headed, next week, the looney will be worth more than any George Washington.) Anyhow, it was on the bargain bin at a Chapters there (which is much like Borders in the states only they play Neon Bible in it's entirety. I gave it my good old random passage test which, as any avid reader will be sure to know, means turning to a random page and if the paragraph is worthy, you chance the book. The paragraph I read had to do with a seven year old boy having trouble still with bedwetting and I bought the book which maybe says something about me (for an entire summer as a teenager, I actually worked at a sleepaway camp where one of my jobs was to wash the sleeping bags of the bedwetters and both remove and bring the bedding back before any of the other boys caught on. I was good at that and I felt really happy and proud of myself that none of the young boys were teased because I was remiss.) Anyhow, back to the point...feeling a little rambly. Basically, the book shows promise in terms of the writing style but gosh don't you just hate it when you can't connect with any of the main characters? I mean, both male protagonists are in their 50s or so and just seem completely unattractive...not physically but as people. Like, how about that crazy wife the one man has...why not base the entire book from her perspective... I could go on but I won't. Read the I would recommend this book to...if you're interested in Canada-particularly Ottawa-and housing developments (as well as construction) this is a worthy read. If not, let me recommend some Virginia Woolf...*sigh*

[Katherine Govier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lovd this book! Unusual, energetic, funny, sad. Thought the portrayal of Kathleen particularly poignant, and sort of textbook around
women and alcoholism and what it does to a family. (Hope that wasn't a spoiler! She drinks heavily from p 1.) Great about civil service and Ottawa mandarins - I hope Colin McAdam publishes another book soon.

[L Denis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book spurred complicated reactions in me. Part of me admires the author for capturing such a raw dialogue between his characters, yet I found it choppy and difficult to follow, and in several instances far too long. It's a great character sketch of some interesting people, however unlikeable they all were to me. I'm glad I read it, but I don't think I'd recommend it to my book friends.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a surprisingly good book. I started it and thought the beginning was mediocre, but when I got half way through I was so lost in the connection between characters and how they change into people you never thought they were. I couldn't stop reading it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I don't really know why. The author's writing was incredible (even if you don't like it) as it completely transports you to another world...a sign of a great book!

[L C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took a while to get interested and for a while it was an enjoyable read. Near the end I found myself skimming pages just to finish.