By Chance

by Martin Corrick

An author whose debut novel, The Navigation Log, garnered him comparisons with Waugh and Maugham, Martin Corrick now returns with a story even more dazzling. By Chance is both suspenseful and thought-provoking, a philosophical tale that is rivetingly readable.

“The events that resulted in Bolsover’s presence at the Alpha Hotel are closely related to his memories of his wife.” James Watson Bolsover is an apparently normal middle-aged man, a shy yet soulful engineer turned technical writer who for many years shared a passionate marriage with his lovely wife, Katherine. Bolsover’s wife and his deep interest in his work made his life perfect, but then–by chance, misfortune, bad luck–he lost Katherine and, with her, his innocence. Now he travels by sea to a remote island and checks into what seems to be an ordinary hotel; in this safe haven he hopes to understand the past and start afresh. But we quickly discover that all of the hotel’s occupants, like Bolsover himself, have uncertain histories: All of them are “someone else,” seeking to leave their former lives behind.

As Bolsover grows accustomed to his new surroundings–and close to a new woman–the truth of his life trickles out like blood from a wound. He is not quite the simple fellow he seems, but a man who has carefully shielded his own history not only from others but also from himself. Culpability, identity, morality, and luck–all these play a part in a story that echoes our own lives.

Writing in terse, elegant, and irresistible prose, Martin Corrick proves himself a new British master. By Chance is an unforgettable novel that combines intelligence with emotion, and lingers in the mind.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2008

Reviews

[J.M. Cornwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need the past to create the future.

Middle-aged James Watson Bolsover waits for the ferry to take him away from his past to the possibility of a new job. As he waits, a little girl all in pink wearing rollerblades entertains him as she practices, and Bolsover’s mind wanders back to the past, to Kitty and the moments that brought him to the ferry.

Early in Bolsover’s life, a teacher fired his imagination and his obsession with words. Words should say what they mean and mean what they say. There is no room for careless language. Although he lives a small and narrow life, Bolsover clings to his notebooks, his observations and ruminations about the meaning of words – and life – making his way with words until the words are all that he has to guide him in the wake of death and guilt.

It is difficult to find a philosophical milestone among the ranks of modern literature. The likes of Sartre and Goethe and Kafka are gone. Into the breach steps, Martin Corrick with By Chance, not with an existential spiral of doom and gloom, but with a bright shining light of a novel.

As Corrick slowly reveals his philosophy with Bolsover’s meandering trips through memory, Bolsover changes and moves ever close to the heart of what it means to be human. Counterpoising a teacher’s tirade about the meaning of tragedy with Bolsover’s understanding of the important difference between luck and chance, Corrick reveals an important truth. Bolsover is every man who has lived a silent and constricted life without regrets suddenly faced with fitting into a large world and unwilling and unable to let go of the idyllic and idealized past until forced to face guilt and his own limitations.

Corrick has left nothing to chance, carefully constructing his philosophical odyssey on solid, uncluttered prose, making By Chance a quiet novel with quiet, unassuming characters that is stunning in its simplicity.


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[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had added this to my "to read" list years ago and couldn't remember where I had heard of it or why I wanted to read it. The blurb doesn't give much of a hint as to why and actually doesn't really reflect the plot. I'm still not sure why "past Jen" flagged it to read, as there was nothing really earth shattering about it, but it was a quick read touching lightly on such issues as identity, memory, and language. I particularly liked that Bolsover is again and again described as average, steady, and a little plodding. Fiction tends to enshrine exceptionalism, so I appreciated that Bolsover, with all his attempts to sort out the big questions in life, was just an average man of average intelligence. The book sorta lost me near the end during the big reveal of Bolsover's past, though. It honestly didn't feel in character to me, despite the author's attempts to make it seem believable (no spoilers, but I'm talking about the Tina/Kitty points). And, of course, when Bolsover finally answers his big questions, we, the readers, have to deal with the fact that anybody else of slightly more than average intelligence would have figured it all long ago. But there was an emotional truth in Bolsover, particularly in regards to his marriage to Kitty, that did ring true.

[stillme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5, and here's why:
I was reading along, and kind of wanted to quit, but something made me keep reading. I was pretty sure this was going to get 2 stars. It was well-written, but there wasn't a lot going on. And as a philosophical novel, it had some great ideas, but I wasn't really in the mood for that. So I just read some here and there until all the sudden, about 125 pages in, the twist slapped me in the face. It was so surprising that I had to rethink the entire first half of the book, and then it all seemed incredibly interesting. But it took so long to get there! Anyhow, rewarding if you're willing to wait for it, and also some great ideas about why we're here and why we do what we do with our lives.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I hated this book. I wanted to stop reading it. I didn't want to read about the troubled marriage and the contrived way it was fixed. But since the book is so short I decided to stick it out and keep reading. By about the 100th page the storyline began to develop and I became thoroughly intriqued with Bolsover and his story. The majority of the rest of the book is simply about what all of us have to do - reconcile our past so that we can have a future. I was disappointed in the ending. I wonder if Corrick hit his deadline or did he simply get tired of writing?

[Xue Yun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poeple have always been unhappy with their lives, but when James Watson Bolsover, a writer, enters a hotel, things were somewhat strange. People there are looking for a new life. He later finds out that he encountered a mystery government agencies. There's two parts to this novel, one is about his semi-bittersweet marriage with his wife. i didn't like it that much because the plot wasn't fast-paced.

[Tracy Thiede · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my typical read but it was $1.00 so I gave it a chance. It takes place in England so some of the language makes it a little bit challenging and it's very slow but there is just enough to keep you coming back. It took me a couple weeks to get through it.
If possible I would have rated it 2.5 stars.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is very slow to start. I was only able to finish it because I am determined to finish every book I start. My interest was perked about 150 pages in, but that cliffhanger ending just completely ruined any of my enjoyment of the book. It was also a hard read considering how scatterbrained Bolsolver is.

[Pattye Nicolls · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 starsThis book was a slow start, but it's undertones of existential philosophy as well as Chance versus Determinism kept me going. In the end the protagonist recognizes the Absurdity of life a la Sartre, but also chooses to recognize Hope. Events may occur by chance, but one chooses Hope. As a birder myself, I loved his reflections on the philosophy behind birding

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book and easy read, with a protagonist I found interesting to begin with. He's a technical writer and appreciates the importance of the right word, and the power of the right word used appropriately. That said, his story is unsatisfying, as I think he himself would acknowledge. I liked it, despite its negative reviews.

[wmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little novel narrated by one of those fastidious middle-aged men who asks basic questions of himself and of his surroundings, the most important and befuddling being Where did we all come from? Delightful and sweet; a world patiently rendered.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the premise of someone intrigued by words from childhood but found it took way too long for the story to get started. I simply have too long a reading list to waste my reading hours on a story going nowhere. I did not finish the book.

[Leeanne]

one of a few that I didn't know why they were in the same place. meloncholy ending

[Tyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't quite book club worthy but it does have some interesting topics/ideas to discuss.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted and amazed. This book was not at all what I thought it would be. I definitely look forward to reading this author's other book - The Navigation Log.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. What a compelling style - and a real gift for revealing things slowly and in surprising ways. I found myself wishing for more when I was done.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

inventive and I did not really know what was happening until very close to the end. Meandered about until close to the end and I was surprised.

[Tammy]

Recommended in the book, Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My year of Magical Reading.

[Laura Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last three chapters made this book absolutely worth the read. What started out as an interesting story became a beautiful, existential ode.