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One More Time
Singer, songwriter, TV star ... Now the winner of Australian Idol is a novelist, too One more step ... One more secret ... One more time Sean is in Nepal on a trek through some of the most beautiful - and dangerous - country in the world. His path takes him to the spectacular Annapurna Mountains, and deep into territory filled with Maoist guerrillas challenging the Nepalese government. Yet the local people are friendly, the air is clear, and it's easy to become accustomed to the national dish of dal bhat. With each step, however, Sean's thoughts turn towards home and his family in Dublin, and it becomes clear that the obstacles he faces are greater than guerrillas demanding 'donations' or the reckless behaviour of fellow travellers. Why did he leave Ireland so hurriedly? What makes people regard him so strangely? And what about the beautiful Serena, last seen on an idyllic beach in India, who has inspired him to take this journey? As Sean travels through Nepal, events run out of his control. If he is to survive he must find the courage to let his secret go.
- GenresFiction
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 6, 2016
Minor spoilers ahead
I picked this up after hearing a radio interview about it, as I was intrigued by the OCD component of the story. I almost didn’t as I had some misgivings (ok, prejudices!) about reading a book written by the winner of Australia Idol, but I’m glad I overcame them.
In terms of the writing, it is very simple and no literary prizes would be forthcoming but the story itself is worth reading; although its resolution was extremely unsatisfying and unbelievable. While I understand the way the author used the ghost explanation to show that the impetus for change had actually come from within, it was frustrating as it didn’t gel with the rest of the tone of the book & the story of Sean and Mani would have been more touching without the appearance of the ghost.
The most interesting aspects of the story were the human connections and the way Sean’s OCD manifested and the way it was described. A passage that struck a chord for me was, “Most of us struggle to be honest with ourselves! It’s not that we don’t want to; it’s that the mechanics of life don’t allow us to. Life is built up of yes and no seesaws…. Most of us hang out in the middle in disguises. It’s our only way of being ourselves without anyone ever knowing our secrets.”
While I don’t agree with that entirely, I do see a lot of truth in it and I think it is an interesting way to examine the way we view ourselves.
I picked this up after hearing a radio interview about it, as I was intrigued by the OCD component of the story. I almost didn’t as I had some misgivings (ok, prejudices!) about reading a book written by the winner of Australia Idol, but I’m glad I overcame them.
In terms of the writing, it is very simple and no literary prizes would be forthcoming but the story itself is worth reading; although its resolution was extremely unsatisfying and unbelievable. While I understand the way the author used the ghost explanation to show that the impetus for change had actually come from within, it was frustrating as it didn’t gel with the rest of the tone of the book & the story of Sean and Mani would have been more touching without the appearance of the ghost.
The most interesting aspects of the story were the human connections and the way Sean’s OCD manifested and the way it was described. A passage that struck a chord for me was, “Most of us struggle to be honest with ourselves! It’s not that we don’t want to; it’s that the mechanics of life don’t allow us to. Life is built up of yes and no seesaws…. Most of us hang out in the middle in disguises. It’s our only way of being ourselves without anyone ever knowing our secrets.”
While I don’t agree with that entirely, I do see a lot of truth in it and I think it is an interesting way to examine the way we view ourselves.
February 27, 2025
The story was unusual but unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the writing style. It felt amateurish. However I was interested enough to want to finish reading it. It tried to sympathetically portray someone with OCD but I just didn’t get enough from the character creation to form a connection. The book also had a rushed ending, as though it suddenly needed to be finished within a word count. I was disappointed with the book.
April 3, 2012
This is the first novel of Damien Leith (read more), an Irish man living inAustralia who won the Australian Idol contest in 2006.
"One More Time: A Novel" was published in 2007 by HarperCollins.
The book takes us on a journey trekking in Nepal with Sean, a young man who has left the family home in Ireland and is dealing with some personal demons. During the course of the trek we endure the tortuous terrain of the mountainous track through Nepali villages, meet some (often odd) fellow trekkers, discover through flashbacks some of Sean's travelling experiences including a sexual encounter in India, but mostly we follow the group of three - Sean, his Nepali guide Mani and Akio, a Japanese trekker who joins them.
The tension in the plot comes from two sources. We learn of Sean's reasons for leaving Ireland - he admits to having "run away"; and the encounters with the local Maoist who rule the area and extract "donations" from trekkers. As they progress along the route, the situation progressively deteriorates for Sean; danger and disaster befall him. Through all of this Sean's personal demons, the OCD he is attempting to deal with, intensify to an extent that he becomes unable to deal with the issues surrounding him. The climax involves a physical challenge that nearly kills him and an unexpected confrontation with a fellow traveller. Sean emerges from this situation stronger and more ccontrolled, determined to leave his OCD behind.
Aside from the inference that OCD can be controlled through an act of willpower, this is an engaging story well told. It augers well for Leith's second novel, "Remember June", published in 2010.
"One More Time: A Novel" was published in 2007 by HarperCollins.
The book takes us on a journey trekking in Nepal with Sean, a young man who has left the family home in Ireland and is dealing with some personal demons. During the course of the trek we endure the tortuous terrain of the mountainous track through Nepali villages, meet some (often odd) fellow trekkers, discover through flashbacks some of Sean's travelling experiences including a sexual encounter in India, but mostly we follow the group of three - Sean, his Nepali guide Mani and Akio, a Japanese trekker who joins them.
The tension in the plot comes from two sources. We learn of Sean's reasons for leaving Ireland - he admits to having "run away"; and the encounters with the local Maoist who rule the area and extract "donations" from trekkers. As they progress along the route, the situation progressively deteriorates for Sean; danger and disaster befall him. Through all of this Sean's personal demons, the OCD he is attempting to deal with, intensify to an extent that he becomes unable to deal with the issues surrounding him. The climax involves a physical challenge that nearly kills him and an unexpected confrontation with a fellow traveller. Sean emerges from this situation stronger and more ccontrolled, determined to leave his OCD behind.
Aside from the inference that OCD can be controlled through an act of willpower, this is an engaging story well told. It augers well for Leith's second novel, "Remember June", published in 2010.
July 23, 2016
Sean is in Nepal on a trek through some of the most beautiful - and dangerous - country in the world. His path takes him not just to the spectacular Annapurna mountains, but deep into territory held by Maoist guerrillas determined to overthrow the Nepalese government.
Yet the local people are friendly, the air is clear, and it's easy to become accustomed to the national dish of dal bhat for every meal.
With each step, however, Sean's thoughts turn towards home and his family in Dublin, and it becomes clear that the obstacles he faces are greater than the threat of guerrillas demanding 'donations' and the occasional stubborn travelling companion.
Why did he leave Ireland so hurriedly? Why didn't he tell his family where he was? What makes his guide, Maila, look at him so strangely? And what about the beautiful Serena -- who has inspired him to take this journey -- last seen on an idyllic beach in India?
As Sean travels through Nepal, events run out of his control, and to survive he must find the courage to confront his secret once and for all
Yet the local people are friendly, the air is clear, and it's easy to become accustomed to the national dish of dal bhat for every meal.
With each step, however, Sean's thoughts turn towards home and his family in Dublin, and it becomes clear that the obstacles he faces are greater than the threat of guerrillas demanding 'donations' and the occasional stubborn travelling companion.
Why did he leave Ireland so hurriedly? Why didn't he tell his family where he was? What makes his guide, Maila, look at him so strangely? And what about the beautiful Serena -- who has inspired him to take this journey -- last seen on an idyllic beach in India?
As Sean travels through Nepal, events run out of his control, and to survive he must find the courage to confront his secret once and for all
January 3, 2013
Not usually the kind of book I read but I am a huge fan of Damien's music so had to see what this book was all about.
Totally loved it,
A nice easy intetesting read and only made me a bigger fan :) many sides to this very talented man, am looking forward to obtaining Remember June his second book
Totally loved it,
A nice easy intetesting read and only made me a bigger fan :) many sides to this very talented man, am looking forward to obtaining Remember June his second book
April 1, 2013
I spotted One More Time at the local library and borrowed it solely on the knowledge that Damien Leith was the author. After reading quite a few large novels recently, One More Time was a quick read, just right for a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and Damien's writing style. There were a few unexpected twists and turns, which kept my interest.
November 2, 2009
Surprisingly good.
September 24, 2013
Shallow and frustrating. A storyline with potential, but lacked depth of understanding of the core elements.
January 18, 2021
Interesting story. I enjoyed the setting - trekking in Nepal, and was intrigued by getting so deeply inside Sean’s messed up head.
June 27, 2010
Decidedly average. A quick read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews