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The Pursuit of Ordinary
*Finalist, The People's Book Prize for Fiction*
After witnessing a fatal car accident, a homeless man wanders the streets of Brighton, trying to ignore the new, incessant voice inside his head. But he can't forget the crash, can't get the face of the woman cradling her dying husband out of his mind. She stared into his eyes, his soul. He has to find her. Is Dan ill or has he really been possessed by the spirit of Natalie's dead husband, Joe? The only way he'll know for sure is to find her...
The Pursuit of Ordinary is the second novel in the #OrdinaryLives series.
After witnessing a fatal car accident, a homeless man wanders the streets of Brighton, trying to ignore the new, incessant voice inside his head. But he can't forget the crash, can't get the face of the woman cradling her dying husband out of his mind. She stared into his eyes, his soul. He has to find her. Is Dan ill or has he really been possessed by the spirit of Natalie's dead husband, Joe? The only way he'll know for sure is to find her...
The Pursuit of Ordinary is the second novel in the #OrdinaryLives series.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2018
11 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Jay Cooper
3 books70 followersAuthor, father, cat and dog owner. More than a list of things. Probably.
Nigel lived comes from South London, lived in Brighton UK for 20 years and now lives in the French Alps with his family.
Nigel's Invisible Lives series of novels are available now:
Beat The Rain, was a semi-finalist for Best Debut Author in the Goodreads Choice Awards.
The Pursuit of Ordinary was a finalist for The People's Book Prize for Fiction, was longlisted for The Guardian's Not The Booker Prize and was a call in nomination for the Booker Prize.
Nigel's third 'Invisible Lives' novel, Life, Slightly, has recently been released.
Nigel is currently working on a new mystery/detective novel series, as well as his first non-fiction title.
Nigel lived comes from South London, lived in Brighton UK for 20 years and now lives in the French Alps with his family.
Nigel's Invisible Lives series of novels are available now:
Beat The Rain, was a semi-finalist for Best Debut Author in the Goodreads Choice Awards.
The Pursuit of Ordinary was a finalist for The People's Book Prize for Fiction, was longlisted for The Guardian's Not The Booker Prize and was a call in nomination for the Booker Prize.
Nigel's third 'Invisible Lives' novel, Life, Slightly, has recently been released.
Nigel is currently working on a new mystery/detective novel series, as well as his first non-fiction title.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 20, 2018
A homeless man wanders the streets of Brighton after witnessing a fatal car accident. But he can't forget the crash, he can't get the face of the woman cradling the face of her dying husband out of his mind.
When Joe dies in his wife's arms, his spirit enters Dan, a homeless man, who witnessed the accident. How will Dan convince Natalie that he is not a fraud. We are told the same story from different perspectives and by doing this we get told something new. I found this book quite an emotional read. I found myself quickly bonding with the characters. This book is well written, with parts uplifting and other parts sad. I do recommend this emotional book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing LTD and the author Nigel Jay Cooper for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Joe dies in his wife's arms, his spirit enters Dan, a homeless man, who witnessed the accident. How will Dan convince Natalie that he is not a fraud. We are told the same story from different perspectives and by doing this we get told something new. I found this book quite an emotional read. I found myself quickly bonding with the characters. This book is well written, with parts uplifting and other parts sad. I do recommend this emotional book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing LTD and the author Nigel Jay Cooper for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2023
This was a bit like dystopia come science fiction as it’s not my usual read.
Entertaining though and pretty impactful.
Not an author I’ve heard of before and it’s been sitting on my “busting my backlist” shelf for the longest time.
Hubby is laid up and so in between caring for him, doing housework etc I desperately need to read and escape (anyone relate?)
Dan.
He’s homeless and witnesses a terrible accident.
The author vividly explains how the woman is cradling her dying husband in her arms.
Dan walks.
But he can’t forget this accident.
But, what’s happening to Dan?
I was goofing and chuffing to myself when I read on saying “yea ok….right” in a sarcastic disbelieving way…..I soon sat upright though. What!?!
Very good story inside (in my humble opinion) a naff cover!
Entertaining though and pretty impactful.
Not an author I’ve heard of before and it’s been sitting on my “busting my backlist” shelf for the longest time.
Hubby is laid up and so in between caring for him, doing housework etc I desperately need to read and escape (anyone relate?)
Dan.
He’s homeless and witnesses a terrible accident.
The author vividly explains how the woman is cradling her dying husband in her arms.
Dan walks.
But he can’t forget this accident.
But, what’s happening to Dan?
I was goofing and chuffing to myself when I read on saying “yea ok….right” in a sarcastic disbelieving way…..I soon sat upright though. What!?!
Very good story inside (in my humble opinion) a naff cover!
May 4, 2018
A thought provoking compelling novel. Natalie is dealing with the loss of her husband after an accident when a homeless man, an eye witness, approaches her saying he possesses Joe’s spirit. The story plays out before, during, and after the accident with love entwining itself into the fold.
The Pursuit of Ordinary delves deep into the process of becoming an ordinary being again after suffering devastating grief and trauma. A spectacular book! 4 ☆
The Pursuit of Ordinary delves deep into the process of becoming an ordinary being again after suffering devastating grief and trauma. A spectacular book! 4 ☆
April 21, 2018
In brief - Damn... Bits of this I really liked. Bits seemed confused and confusing. 3.5 I guess
In full
This has an intriguing scenario. Dan, a homeless man, witnesses an accident in which a man dies cradled in his wife's arms. After that he appears to be possessed by the spirit of the man. The man's wife even allows him into her home. That can't happen can it...
I found the writing vivid. Dan and Joe - the man who died are having conversations. They (!) turn up on Natalie's doorstep. Via a rather odd three way conversation they seem to convince her that Joe is her deceased husband. So far, so strange. By the end of the first chapter I thought that it probably wasn't really my kind of book though the pace and writing were fine.
The next chapter looks at the story through Natalie's eyes. It became far more interesting and even sinister. From then on I would not have stopped reading it. There was obviously far more to this story that seemed the case initially. The voices alternate mostly between Dan and Natalie.
I found this book something of a roller coaster. Bits I really enjoyed and other parts I found somewhat frustrating. At times it felt a bit "chick lit", at times it had real depth to it. Within chapters the time line switches from present to past and back with no sign posting. The story is repeated quite often from the different perspectives. I found this confused and confusing sometimes.
Whatever else this is not an "ordinary" book. I dislike spoilers so I'm giving nothing away other than to say that I admire the author for trying this story out. I found the reading journey interesting and I'm sure other will too. The characters didn't leave me fully convinced I think but they were not at all bad. I'm honestly not sure what rating to give this even after reflecting on it. I don't think it is just a three star read then neither do I think it is a four. I'll settle on 3.5/5 and say that I'd happily read another by this author.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
This has an intriguing scenario. Dan, a homeless man, witnesses an accident in which a man dies cradled in his wife's arms. After that he appears to be possessed by the spirit of the man. The man's wife even allows him into her home. That can't happen can it...
I found the writing vivid. Dan and Joe - the man who died are having conversations. They (!) turn up on Natalie's doorstep. Via a rather odd three way conversation they seem to convince her that Joe is her deceased husband. So far, so strange. By the end of the first chapter I thought that it probably wasn't really my kind of book though the pace and writing were fine.
The next chapter looks at the story through Natalie's eyes. It became far more interesting and even sinister. From then on I would not have stopped reading it. There was obviously far more to this story that seemed the case initially. The voices alternate mostly between Dan and Natalie.
I found this book something of a roller coaster. Bits I really enjoyed and other parts I found somewhat frustrating. At times it felt a bit "chick lit", at times it had real depth to it. Within chapters the time line switches from present to past and back with no sign posting. The story is repeated quite often from the different perspectives. I found this confused and confusing sometimes.
Whatever else this is not an "ordinary" book. I dislike spoilers so I'm giving nothing away other than to say that I admire the author for trying this story out. I found the reading journey interesting and I'm sure other will too. The characters didn't leave me fully convinced I think but they were not at all bad. I'm honestly not sure what rating to give this even after reflecting on it. I don't think it is just a three star read then neither do I think it is a four. I'll settle on 3.5/5 and say that I'd happily read another by this author.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
January 14, 2018
This is a book that I imagine will appeal to fans of S.J.Watson’s work (e.g. Before I Go to Sleep, Second Life) or The Girl on the Train. I mention those specifically as I’ve read them, but there are many others like them and they are popular. I imagine this book will also sell well. Unfortunately, they aren’t my taste in books and neither is this. If you are a fan of books like those I’ve mentioned, then I recommend this to you as I think you will enjoy it. If, like me, you aren’t a fan, then I don’t recommend this, either.
Dan is a homeless man who witnesses a car accident in which a man is killed. He sees the man's wife holding him as he dies. The question the book poses to us at the start (as is explained in the book’s blurb) is then whether Dan has been possessed by the spirit of the man killed in the accident or whether he is mentally ill in some way. Whichever option is correct, he decides he has to find the woman. From here, a story unfolds with several twists and turns and it would not be fair to talk about any of them or the plot in general as this book is nothing without the plot and the twists that are uncovered along the way.
My problem is that I highlighted several passages near the start of the book and made notes about what I thought they meant in terms of twists coming up. All but one of them was right, including the big reveal about 90% of the way through which I highlighted on about page 2. I think maybe I have read too many of these books, because it becomes too easy to realise you are reading a story that is going to twist and turn and then, when those twists and turns are telegraphed so obviously, the book really turns into a series of disappointments. Here, for example, Dan’s "condition" is laboured several times, so you know it is going to play a part and it isn’t difficult to work out early on what that part is going to be. Equally, the book blurb asks the question about why Natalie lets Dan in so easily and one of the main reasons is the big twist which, as I’ve already said, is pretty obvious from about page 2 but not revealed until about 9/10 of the way through (I read an ARC ebook, so no page numbers).
The second major issue I had with book is the structure. We get several long sections where the story is told first from one character’s perspective and then repeated from another character’s perspective. There are some differences, of course, but there are large chunks of repetition which drove me mad with frustration. The book feels very much like it was written with a movie in mind, but can you imagine how frustrating it would be to go to a movie where you basically got the same movie twice but with the camera angles changed? That’s what it feels like.
Finally, one more minor complaint. The books uses the phrase "He’s not the man who can do that at this moment in time." and "this moment in time" is one of my pet hates because where else can a moment be (please, mathematicians, don’t have a go at me - you know what I am saying)? Why can’t people just say “at the moment”? Or “just now”?
Anyway, I think this book will probably be a best seller because books like this often are. But I’m afraid I was just glad when it was done and I only really finished it to check how many of my predictions were right.
My thanks to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing for a ARC of this book in exchange for what, I’m sorry, is an honest review.
Dan is a homeless man who witnesses a car accident in which a man is killed. He sees the man's wife holding him as he dies. The question the book poses to us at the start (as is explained in the book’s blurb) is then whether Dan has been possessed by the spirit of the man killed in the accident or whether he is mentally ill in some way. Whichever option is correct, he decides he has to find the woman. From here, a story unfolds with several twists and turns and it would not be fair to talk about any of them or the plot in general as this book is nothing without the plot and the twists that are uncovered along the way.
My problem is that I highlighted several passages near the start of the book and made notes about what I thought they meant in terms of twists coming up. All but one of them was right, including the big reveal about 90% of the way through which I highlighted on about page 2. I think maybe I have read too many of these books, because it becomes too easy to realise you are reading a story that is going to twist and turn and then, when those twists and turns are telegraphed so obviously, the book really turns into a series of disappointments. Here, for example, Dan’s "condition" is laboured several times, so you know it is going to play a part and it isn’t difficult to work out early on what that part is going to be. Equally, the book blurb asks the question about why Natalie lets Dan in so easily and one of the main reasons is the big twist which, as I’ve already said, is pretty obvious from about page 2 but not revealed until about 9/10 of the way through (I read an ARC ebook, so no page numbers).
The second major issue I had with book is the structure. We get several long sections where the story is told first from one character’s perspective and then repeated from another character’s perspective. There are some differences, of course, but there are large chunks of repetition which drove me mad with frustration. The book feels very much like it was written with a movie in mind, but can you imagine how frustrating it would be to go to a movie where you basically got the same movie twice but with the camera angles changed? That’s what it feels like.
Finally, one more minor complaint. The books uses the phrase "He’s not the man who can do that at this moment in time." and "this moment in time" is one of my pet hates because where else can a moment be (please, mathematicians, don’t have a go at me - you know what I am saying)? Why can’t people just say “at the moment”? Or “just now”?
Anyway, I think this book will probably be a best seller because books like this often are. But I’m afraid I was just glad when it was done and I only really finished it to check how many of my predictions were right.
My thanks to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing for a ARC of this book in exchange for what, I’m sorry, is an honest review.
April 26, 2018
Nigel Jay Cooper's sophomore novel The Pursuit of Ordinary is an extraordinary (sorry ;)) work of fiction conveying a unique story about an atypical relationship (or more a relationship triangle?).
Dan, a homeless man, witnessed a car accident that killed Joe, Natalie's husband. Now Dan can't forget seeing Natalie cradle her dying husband, and there is this new voice in Dan's head. Natalie's dead husband, Joe? Dan has to get in touch with Natalie.
In this character-driven tale Nigel Jay Cooper explores pertinent topics relating to mental health, such as grief and loss, homelessness, relationships and abuse.
This author has a genuine talent for creating characters that feel like real people who could be living next door to you. They may not necessarily be characters you particularly like or whose actions you always understand and support, but they feel completely authentic. The dialogue is believable and the plot emotional; sometimes sad but also very funny in parts. It contained some good twists and turns that kept me turning the pages anxiously.
The story is told from three (or perhaps two?) perspectives and my main reason for deducting a star is the slightly repetitive nature of some of the chapters, where we hear Dan's perspective and then are told the same scenario again but from Natalie's point of view. Obviously there are differences in the way Dan and Natalie view their subjective reality, and I understand the different perspectives were required to show that, but it was frustrating reading at times.
I felt this book was way more positive than last year's debut Beat the Rain which floored me and left me shattered by the end of it. This was a lovely, heartfelt story that tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity and without being preachy, and it all leads to a very satisfactory ending. After two very special books, Nigel Jay Cooper is a must-read author for me.
I received an ARC for review purposes, thank you.
Dan, a homeless man, witnessed a car accident that killed Joe, Natalie's husband. Now Dan can't forget seeing Natalie cradle her dying husband, and there is this new voice in Dan's head. Natalie's dead husband, Joe? Dan has to get in touch with Natalie.
In this character-driven tale Nigel Jay Cooper explores pertinent topics relating to mental health, such as grief and loss, homelessness, relationships and abuse.
This author has a genuine talent for creating characters that feel like real people who could be living next door to you. They may not necessarily be characters you particularly like or whose actions you always understand and support, but they feel completely authentic. The dialogue is believable and the plot emotional; sometimes sad but also very funny in parts. It contained some good twists and turns that kept me turning the pages anxiously.
The story is told from three (or perhaps two?) perspectives and my main reason for deducting a star is the slightly repetitive nature of some of the chapters, where we hear Dan's perspective and then are told the same scenario again but from Natalie's point of view. Obviously there are differences in the way Dan and Natalie view their subjective reality, and I understand the different perspectives were required to show that, but it was frustrating reading at times.
I felt this book was way more positive than last year's debut Beat the Rain which floored me and left me shattered by the end of it. This was a lovely, heartfelt story that tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity and without being preachy, and it all leads to a very satisfactory ending. After two very special books, Nigel Jay Cooper is a must-read author for me.
I received an ARC for review purposes, thank you.
February 17, 2018
My go to genre is crime and psychological thrillers, but this book looked too good to miss. And it was.
It tells the story of Dan, a homeless man who comes across Natalie at the moment her husband Joe is killed when a car hits him. Dan can't get Natalie out of his mind and goes in search of her, but he is also hearing another voice in his head.
Dan is obviously damaged, which immediately makes him interesting, and Natalie has her own demons. I don't even know where to start with Joe!
The same episodes in the story are told from different perspectives which could easily have led to lazy storytelling, but it doesn't, because there is always something new.
I loved that the story is set in Brighton as it's a place I know. I love that it name checks one of my favourite books (you'll need to read it to see!). And I really love that it sensitively deals with some difficult issues - mental health and emotional abuse.
This is a book about loss, hope, trust and ultimately love. But I doubt it's like any love story you've read - it's highly original, brilliantly written and definitely worth a read. And it has a really cool cover!
It tells the story of Dan, a homeless man who comes across Natalie at the moment her husband Joe is killed when a car hits him. Dan can't get Natalie out of his mind and goes in search of her, but he is also hearing another voice in his head.
Dan is obviously damaged, which immediately makes him interesting, and Natalie has her own demons. I don't even know where to start with Joe!
The same episodes in the story are told from different perspectives which could easily have led to lazy storytelling, but it doesn't, because there is always something new.
I loved that the story is set in Brighton as it's a place I know. I love that it name checks one of my favourite books (you'll need to read it to see!). And I really love that it sensitively deals with some difficult issues - mental health and emotional abuse.
This is a book about loss, hope, trust and ultimately love. But I doubt it's like any love story you've read - it's highly original, brilliantly written and definitely worth a read. And it has a really cool cover!
January 10, 2018
This is Nigel Jay Cooper's sophomore novel and he does not disappoint. Last year, I got the chance to read an early copy of The Pursuit of Ordinary. I was thrilled for the opportunity, of course, and quickly jumped to it. This is a captivating Contemporary Fiction novel. It's powerful, plausible, and sound. I think one of Nigel's biggest qualities as an author is his ability to write about the common fellow and see beyond the surface. His characters are real people, just like any of us. His talent is presenting these people as whole individuals. Neither good or bad. He leaves the judgment to us. In The Pursuit of Ordinary, he explores the themes of grief, mental health, and love. How far are we willing to go to avoid the pain? What risks will we take?
The storyline is compelling and exciting. His narrative beautifully flows and it unfolds chapter by chapter with the right amount of twists and turns. We meet two people struggling with their circumstances. Their lives collide in an unusual way and we become witnesses to their story. I quickly dived into the story and became invested in their universe. There are pain and grief between the pages, but also tenderness and understanding. As someone who works in the mental health field, I thoroughly appreciated how Nigel presented the subject with dignity and respect. It's refreshing to find a story where a person can struggle with mental health but still be worthy of self-agency and love. We need more books like this!
A million thanks to NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing Ltd, and Roundfire Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Mind you, I had already written my review, but I'm still happy I got the change to post my feedback on your site.
To my friends, to get to see this review again in your feeds, maybe it's a sign? ;-D
The storyline is compelling and exciting. His narrative beautifully flows and it unfolds chapter by chapter with the right amount of twists and turns. We meet two people struggling with their circumstances. Their lives collide in an unusual way and we become witnesses to their story. I quickly dived into the story and became invested in their universe. There are pain and grief between the pages, but also tenderness and understanding. As someone who works in the mental health field, I thoroughly appreciated how Nigel presented the subject with dignity and respect. It's refreshing to find a story where a person can struggle with mental health but still be worthy of self-agency and love. We need more books like this!
A million thanks to NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing Ltd, and Roundfire Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Mind you, I had already written my review, but I'm still happy I got the change to post my feedback on your site.
To my friends, to get to see this review again in your feeds, maybe it's a sign? ;-D
April 4, 2018
Where to start about this lovely book? First of all, I've been a fan of Nigel Cooper after reading his debut novel, Beat the Rain which I absolutely loved! Dare I say this one is even better? The plot is so incredibly unique and yet all parts of it work to create a beautiful and heartfelt story that weaves in social commentary without becoming preachy. When Natalie's husband, Joe dies in her arms after a horrific car accident, his spirit enters Dan, a homeless man standing nearby. But how can Dan convince Natalie that he's not a fraud and her dead husband can live on through his memories? Why on earth would she believe him? Shockingly, she appears to as Joe speaks to her with his own accent and relates the lovely and sentimental details of their first date. But there's a discrepancy between appearance and reality. What secrets are they both keeping and why? With marvelously flawed characters and poignant, lovely writing, Cooper speaks to the themes of passion, guilt, redemption, depression, mental illness, and homelessness. And for fans of Beat the Rain, he brings in a cross-over character, Louise which is a treat for those of us who loved that novel. The book will make you laugh and make you cry as the storyline is slowly revealed in voices of Joe, Dan, and Natalie. It will also keep you guessing until the very end; quite simply put, it is superb!
April 25, 2018
Cooper's sophomore novel brings us another thought provoking, sat at times and hopeful in others, kind of read. While bleak, like his debut novel, it didn't quite pack the punch that Beat the Rain did. However, Cooper elicits emotions from his readers by tackling issues of abuse, mental health and grief.
The author brings us a unique story in which a homeless man, Dan, witnesses a crash and sees a man, Joe, dying in the arms of his wife, Natalie. As a result, Joe's spirit seems to jump into Dan's body and is directing him to go to his wife. That she will help. That he would always find a way back to her. So "they" show up at her door and she unexpectedly invites "them" in.
I can't say too much without giving anything away so I'll keep this short and sweet. This book goes back and forth between Natalie, Joe and Dan's POVs. The beginning felt a bit disjointed and I was a little confused but then quickly saw what the author was doing. While we see the same scenes through each person, it began to feel slightly redundant in certain aspects and I could feel my mind wander. However, each one, while similar in scene, did bring something new to the character at hand... and that became fascinating for getting to really know the characters. Boy are they interesting - and ALL full of secrets. Each has their own agenda.
Intriguing, unique and emotional.
The author brings us a unique story in which a homeless man, Dan, witnesses a crash and sees a man, Joe, dying in the arms of his wife, Natalie. As a result, Joe's spirit seems to jump into Dan's body and is directing him to go to his wife. That she will help. That he would always find a way back to her. So "they" show up at her door and she unexpectedly invites "them" in.
I can't say too much without giving anything away so I'll keep this short and sweet. This book goes back and forth between Natalie, Joe and Dan's POVs. The beginning felt a bit disjointed and I was a little confused but then quickly saw what the author was doing. While we see the same scenes through each person, it began to feel slightly redundant in certain aspects and I could feel my mind wander. However, each one, while similar in scene, did bring something new to the character at hand... and that became fascinating for getting to really know the characters. Boy are they interesting - and ALL full of secrets. Each has their own agenda.
Intriguing, unique and emotional.
November 6, 2017
Another brilliant book from Nigel Jay Cooper- one you won’t forget- for good reasons. Joe was involved in a car accident whilst walking with his wife, but he sees the scene and is able to walk away. He sees his wife cradling a man who is obviously dead. Little by little he realises he is in another man’s body-Dan. Dan is homeless and has mental issues such as bulimia. Slowly Joe talks to Dan and gets him to pass a note to Joe’s wife. What transpires is rather unusual to say the least. This is a wonderfully creative story with all the depth of character that Nigel writes with ease. A tale of the unexpected, a tale of hope and despair and life. Of smiles, and tears , ups and downs. Friends, lovers and relations. A brilliant concept,beautifully written and a highly enjoyable read.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
May 16, 2018
Have you ever heard your inner voice nagging you when you know there is something important to do? It does drive you mad but Dan wasn’t hearing his own voice, he could hear the voice of a man that he saw killed in a road accident and now it wouldn’t leave him alone. Chris, the voice, wanted to talk to his wife and tell her he was still here trapped inside this man. It wore Dan down and finally he went to see Natalie who after only a minute invited Dan, who had been living rough on the streets, into her home and her life.
This is truly a fascinating story where there seemed only one logical solution to take. Dan was homeless and a vessel of Chris and so Natalie offers her place for him to stay. The strangest relationship between this ‘threesome’ begins to develop. I am afraid the rest of the story you will have to read.
The author Nigel Jay Cooper tells this story through these three main characters with small appearances of minor roles of family. It keeps the story compact and intense dipping back into all of their past lives where there were secrets. I really liked how the bits of information was fed to me. I was at times shocked but loved the sweet and sour sensations that kept changing my feelings towards the characters. It really is very unpredictable with a super ending.
This is truly a fascinating story where there seemed only one logical solution to take. Dan was homeless and a vessel of Chris and so Natalie offers her place for him to stay. The strangest relationship between this ‘threesome’ begins to develop. I am afraid the rest of the story you will have to read.
The author Nigel Jay Cooper tells this story through these three main characters with small appearances of minor roles of family. It keeps the story compact and intense dipping back into all of their past lives where there were secrets. I really liked how the bits of information was fed to me. I was at times shocked but loved the sweet and sour sensations that kept changing my feelings towards the characters. It really is very unpredictable with a super ending.
April 29, 2018
We are thrown straight into the action at the start of this book with the accident which kills Joe having just happened. We're not quite sure how it's happened, but it has left Joe dead in the road, his head cradled in wife Natalie's lap and homeless guy Dan wondering what on earth is going on.
The story is told in sections from each of the three main characters' points of view. Each section has you questioning what you thought you knew from the last part. It proves just how quickly as readers we are influenced by what one character says about another.
From Dan's point of view we are presented with the stark realities of what it is like to be homeless, and just how quickly and easily circumstances can change and an individual can find themselves homeless. From wife Natalie's point of view there are more questions than answers as she tries to push Dan into telling her what he saw on the day of the accident. Why is it so important that she finds out just how much he saw that day? Then constantly in the background is the spirit of Joe, desperate not to be lost in the unconscious mind of his host as Natalie and Dan try to work out what to think of the situation and how to deal with things.
I have to admit that I liked the idea of this book but unfortunately I struggled with actually reading it. The characters commentary occasionally gets muddled and I had to reread sections to work out who was speaking. With the characters each relating the same time period I also found the story quite repetitive in parts.
The content covers trigger issues such as bulimia, the effects of grief and other issues of mental health which can make for hard reading and while I found it interesting it was also quite disturbing.
I didn't dislike this book however was quite relieved once I had finished it and could move onto something much lighter. In its own way that suggests it is well written as the issues covered quite clearly hit the mark. It's fair to say that in my mind the jury is still out on this book, and I would be extremely careful as to who I would recommend it to.
The story is told in sections from each of the three main characters' points of view. Each section has you questioning what you thought you knew from the last part. It proves just how quickly as readers we are influenced by what one character says about another.
From Dan's point of view we are presented with the stark realities of what it is like to be homeless, and just how quickly and easily circumstances can change and an individual can find themselves homeless. From wife Natalie's point of view there are more questions than answers as she tries to push Dan into telling her what he saw on the day of the accident. Why is it so important that she finds out just how much he saw that day? Then constantly in the background is the spirit of Joe, desperate not to be lost in the unconscious mind of his host as Natalie and Dan try to work out what to think of the situation and how to deal with things.
I have to admit that I liked the idea of this book but unfortunately I struggled with actually reading it. The characters commentary occasionally gets muddled and I had to reread sections to work out who was speaking. With the characters each relating the same time period I also found the story quite repetitive in parts.
The content covers trigger issues such as bulimia, the effects of grief and other issues of mental health which can make for hard reading and while I found it interesting it was also quite disturbing.
I didn't dislike this book however was quite relieved once I had finished it and could move onto something much lighter. In its own way that suggests it is well written as the issues covered quite clearly hit the mark. It's fair to say that in my mind the jury is still out on this book, and I would be extremely careful as to who I would recommend it to.
April 11, 2018
Ooft this is lip-smackingly good! And what a refreshing change, as the once way back Woodpecker cider ad suggested. And boy is this a refreshing change! Invigoratingly different, not one abducted child/psycho ex/tortured sleuth or crazed killer in sight, - bliss! And yet, had someone described the plot of this story to me, I'd have thought 'hmmm sounds rather bizarre'?... So please, I implore you, read it for yourself because even the dulcet tones of Lyndsay Duncan describing it, let alone a big fat bunch of five star reviews(which it's sure to get)could not do this book justice. It is riveting. Yes okay a dead person inhabiting a stranger who watched him die in his wife's arms could I grant you sound a tad bizarre, and yes there is a bit of a Randall & Hopkirk(ask your parents)thing going on, but it is sublimely clever! The three main characters: the wife, the dead husband, and the homeless stranger - (promise you there was no mention of a cook or thief), each voice their version of events throughout, and so there is repetition, but for me, this simply hightened the intensity to the point of me feeling at times as though the characters had somehow seeped into my head, almost making me an accomplice?! Goodness knows there's enough room in there. Simply brilliant! I can even forgive the amazing author for the effect page 153 had on my Emetophobia! Mr Cooper I salute you and will most certainly be ordering Beat The Rain as soon as this story has vacated my head!
July 31, 2018
Nigel Jay Cooper has given us another great novel! This was an intriguing story from page one. Natalie is dealing with the unexpected loss of her husband when a homeless man claims to be possessed by the dead mans spirit. What happens in the next 300 pages was completely unexpected and interesting. I wanted to know more about each character and it was deliciously delivered with a perfect pace. The characters are well developed and multi dimensional. The author paints a vivid picture of the situation and it felt like I was watching a movie instead of turning pages in a book. It was an engaging look at mental illness, love and relationships. I can't wait for another novel by this fantastic author.
Thank you to Nigel Jay Cooper and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Thank you to Nigel Jay Cooper and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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March 1, 2018
Book reviewers are a conservative, brow wrinkling lot and very rarely spew forth superlatives such as brilliant or exceptional when referring to a work by a relatively new author.
Nigel Jay Cooper deserves better.
Initially I thought this read would be a bit of a chuckle, you know, guy gets hit by a car, his consciousness flies into a derelict guy who happens by; a bit comedic really. Not so.
What evolves is a cerebral, closely woven tragedy of use and misuse, of premeditated deception, the conflicting needs of the two (or is it three) main protagonists and the eventual resignation to a co-existence with faults and flaws in tact.
For me it was a page turner, an exhausting yet rewarding glimpse into the dark realms of the self.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roundfire Books for the privilege of reviewing this work.
Nigel Jay Cooper deserves better.
Initially I thought this read would be a bit of a chuckle, you know, guy gets hit by a car, his consciousness flies into a derelict guy who happens by; a bit comedic really. Not so.
What evolves is a cerebral, closely woven tragedy of use and misuse, of premeditated deception, the conflicting needs of the two (or is it three) main protagonists and the eventual resignation to a co-existence with faults and flaws in tact.
For me it was a page turner, an exhausting yet rewarding glimpse into the dark realms of the self.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roundfire Books for the privilege of reviewing this work.
October 4, 2017
Beautifully written book that pulls you in from the start. What particularly stood out for me is how well crafted it is - The Pursuit of Ordinary is a wonderful piece of modern fiction.Thought provoking from start to end, the characters and narrative are compelling with twists I didn’t expect. And at its core are themes of love and mental health - Nigel Cooper has created characters so tenderly drawn that you ache for them as their story unfolds. Highly recommend this book to both new readers and those who loved his first novel.
The book will be published in April 2018. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book will be published in April 2018. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2018
GNab Roundfire Books brings us another homerunner. The Pursuit of Ordinary is an intriguing novel - actually a feel-good novel though it incorporates spousal abuse, grief, mental illness and a touch of romance. The characters are charismatic, the story line tense and the tale well told. I happily recommend it to friends and family. Nigel Jay Cooper is an author to watch for.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Nigel Jay Cooper, and Roundfire Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date April 27, 2018
Roundfire Books
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Nigel Jay Cooper, and Roundfire Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date April 27, 2018
Roundfire Books
April 6, 2018
A complex story of highly flawed people. I don't know what to say without spoilers. There is a great deal of sadness and regret, but there are equal (greater?) parts hope and redemption.
April 26, 2018
Words cannot express how amazing this book is. Touching, moving, thought provoking and downright different, "The Pursuit of Ordinary" tells the story of Dan, who believes that he is possessed by the spirit of Natalie's dead husband, Joe, after witnessing the road accident that kills him. But with Dan's history of mental health, is everything really as it seems?
Honestly, if I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I am so grateful to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy, because my honest opinion is that this is seriously one of the best books I've ever read. As Dan and Natalie navigate the strange circumstances that brought them together, we learn more about the secrets of both their pasts and the problems they both have to deal with in order to become 'ordinary.'
You seriously need to go out and get yourself a copy of this book. You'll be so glad you did.
Honestly, if I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I am so grateful to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy, because my honest opinion is that this is seriously one of the best books I've ever read. As Dan and Natalie navigate the strange circumstances that brought them together, we learn more about the secrets of both their pasts and the problems they both have to deal with in order to become 'ordinary.'
You seriously need to go out and get yourself a copy of this book. You'll be so glad you did.
April 26, 2018
This is a complex tale and the people we meet, Natalie and Dan, are multi-layered. As are we all really, but Cooper's talent is to keep on mining below the surface and then again below there. And then there's Joe, the most mysterious character and absolutely key to Natalie and Dan's relationship, but also the least compelling as he lacks, well, pretty much everything.
This is a hugely enjoyable book but not one to read lightly. I had some major distractions whilst reading this story and found it very difficult to pick up again after setting it down.But it does deserve the continuous attention it demands.
'The Pursuit of Ordinary could be described as a literary novel in terms of its philosophical stance but that might deter some readers unnecessarily.
So, the characters are not very straight-forward, the plot is complex, the timeline can be confusing. But don't worry - the places, the motivations and the dialogue are really down to earth. And all the threads weave into a very satisfactory ending.
This is a hugely enjoyable book but not one to read lightly. I had some major distractions whilst reading this story and found it very difficult to pick up again after setting it down.But it does deserve the continuous attention it demands.
'The Pursuit of Ordinary could be described as a literary novel in terms of its philosophical stance but that might deter some readers unnecessarily.
So, the characters are not very straight-forward, the plot is complex, the timeline can be confusing. But don't worry - the places, the motivations and the dialogue are really down to earth. And all the threads weave into a very satisfactory ending.
February 25, 2018
I am not sure what drew me to this book as it is not my usual genre. But I've been right to trust my instincts before so I did so again and, once again, I was rewarded with a really good read. It's a little out of the ordinary, as were the previous couple of books I have read by the same publisher, but hey, different is often good, as it was again in this case.
So, we start with the harrowing scene of a fatal car accident, culminating in Natalie cradling Joe, her dying husband. It is witnessed by Dan who we later find out is homeless. Something really affects him about what he witnessed and he starts to believe that his body has been invaded by Joe's spirit. Driven by strange feelings, Dan is determined to find Natalie, to reunite her with Joe, and eventually turns up on her doorstep. He tells her things about Joe, Natalie and their relationship which she confirms and so lets him into her home. But are things really as they appear? Is Dan really possessed by Joe; did his spirit pass into him at his time of death? How could he know what he does if not? Or is there something more sinister afoot? After all, who would invite a homeless stranger into their house willingly if everything wasn't OK?
It was quite obvious to me from pretty early on what was going on with some of the characters but there was so much still unknown that that really didn't matter. And there was always the chance I was wrong. The author then went on to drip feed me more information and evidence throughout the book as the scenes played out which gave my guess more credence and also sense along the way. This was on the whole timed to perfection as it gave me enough clarification to satisfy, whilst at the same time keeping enough back to maintain my interest throughout.
A lot of the action is played out twice. First from the pov of one character, then later on by another. Whilst this could have been repetitive, there was enough different to make it necessary rather than just padding, although maybe some of the second viewings could have been pruned a little bit to slim down the unnecessary parts. Only a bit, mind.
The characterisation was, for me, excellent. It is hard to write wounded characters well so they appear credible. One of my favourite authors is Matthew Quick and he is brilliant at this, which is why I love his books so much. The author here also nails this very well. And he also does so with great sensitivity given some of the subject matter. I'd really love to give examples of this here but I fear it would contain spoilers so you'll just have to trust me on that. I will just say that the way that the characters develop through the book, as more of their real selves are exposed, was really something quite special.
It was also quite an emotional read, probably because I believed in the characters and was willing to invest in them. But as much as it was, at times, on the sad side, there was always hope bubbling under and there were several really uplifting and indeed moving scenes which made the book as a whole very balanced.
I've not read this author's first book Beat the Rain, but on the back of reading this, I will definitely be adding that to my TBR. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, we start with the harrowing scene of a fatal car accident, culminating in Natalie cradling Joe, her dying husband. It is witnessed by Dan who we later find out is homeless. Something really affects him about what he witnessed and he starts to believe that his body has been invaded by Joe's spirit. Driven by strange feelings, Dan is determined to find Natalie, to reunite her with Joe, and eventually turns up on her doorstep. He tells her things about Joe, Natalie and their relationship which she confirms and so lets him into her home. But are things really as they appear? Is Dan really possessed by Joe; did his spirit pass into him at his time of death? How could he know what he does if not? Or is there something more sinister afoot? After all, who would invite a homeless stranger into their house willingly if everything wasn't OK?
It was quite obvious to me from pretty early on what was going on with some of the characters but there was so much still unknown that that really didn't matter. And there was always the chance I was wrong. The author then went on to drip feed me more information and evidence throughout the book as the scenes played out which gave my guess more credence and also sense along the way. This was on the whole timed to perfection as it gave me enough clarification to satisfy, whilst at the same time keeping enough back to maintain my interest throughout.
A lot of the action is played out twice. First from the pov of one character, then later on by another. Whilst this could have been repetitive, there was enough different to make it necessary rather than just padding, although maybe some of the second viewings could have been pruned a little bit to slim down the unnecessary parts. Only a bit, mind.
The characterisation was, for me, excellent. It is hard to write wounded characters well so they appear credible. One of my favourite authors is Matthew Quick and he is brilliant at this, which is why I love his books so much. The author here also nails this very well. And he also does so with great sensitivity given some of the subject matter. I'd really love to give examples of this here but I fear it would contain spoilers so you'll just have to trust me on that. I will just say that the way that the characters develop through the book, as more of their real selves are exposed, was really something quite special.
It was also quite an emotional read, probably because I believed in the characters and was willing to invest in them. But as much as it was, at times, on the sad side, there was always hope bubbling under and there were several really uplifting and indeed moving scenes which made the book as a whole very balanced.
I've not read this author's first book Beat the Rain, but on the back of reading this, I will definitely be adding that to my TBR. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 2, 2018
A solid 4.5 stars from me for this intriguing book. The story gripped me right from the beginning. The debate between the supernatural and mental health issues was well played out through the multidimensional characters. Can hope come from a tragedy? Is it real or an illusion? I found the story extremely emotional at times. Death and grief are one of the greatest challenges we experience as a human being. This and the hope, false or real, makes us very vulnerable. This is so well depicted in this book. It was sometimes difficult for me to read as it was an anniversary of a terrible loss for me, but I did find cathartic to follow the story to its conclusion. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is that I found it a bit difficult at times to keep track of the switching of the characters’ perspective.
February 17, 2018
The Pursuit of Ordinary. Ordinary? I don't think so. This book, like Coopers debut novel, Beat the Rain, (which I loved) is extraordinary. His well and sensitively drawn characters engage the reader from the onset. The originality of the plot line with its tantalising twists and turns and the way the narrative unfolds from the seemingly similar, but differing points of view of the three principle characters, has the reader hooked wanting to know if these damaged souls will succeed in their pursuit of becoming ordinary. With many thanks to John Hunt Publishing and Round Fire Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2017
This book is original and thought provoking , it is essentially a love story woven around bereavement, loss and mental health issues. It is beautifully written with believable characters. I love reading books set in Brighton, and I loved Nigels first book 'Beat the Rain' - very clever how Nigel subtly linked the two.
I thoroughly recommend you read this wonderful and intriguing story - especially if you liked 'Beat the Rain'
The book will be published in April 2018. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review
I thoroughly recommend you read this wonderful and intriguing story - especially if you liked 'Beat the Rain'
The book will be published in April 2018. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review
August 3, 2018
The Pursuit of Ordinary is an extraordinary novel. I had to sit back and think about what I thought about the book once I’d finished it. It is a compelling read with complex, emotional, needy, selfish and mentally challenged characters. My views towards the characters changed dramatically as the story unfolded and their true characters and agendas were laid bare, nothing was as it first seemed. A gripping and intense read-don’t expect to put it down until you’ve turned the last page, even then you’ll still be trying to decide if the characters were truly justified in their actions!
April 27, 2018
Three and a half star rating.
A strange triangle, Natalie, dead husband Joe and homeless man Dan, with Brighton as a backdrop. To be honest I really did not like the first chapter at all because it was just so confusing, but decided to carry on a bit longer and am glad I did. Really got into it from the second chapter when it was easier to work out what was what and who was who. This is a complex and intriguing story with its share of flawed characters which certainly kept me gripped! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A strange triangle, Natalie, dead husband Joe and homeless man Dan, with Brighton as a backdrop. To be honest I really did not like the first chapter at all because it was just so confusing, but decided to carry on a bit longer and am glad I did. Really got into it from the second chapter when it was easier to work out what was what and who was who. This is a complex and intriguing story with its share of flawed characters which certainly kept me gripped! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2018
What an emotional read this was! Nigel's portrayal of the characters, and his analysis of homelessness and mental health issues is compelling and at he same time caring. The book keeps you guessing from start to finish and you can not help but feel for the carachters, get involved in their lifes as their relationships unfold. They could be one of your friends or the couple next door. This is one of those books you can not put down. Another amazing book, very well done!
January 27, 2018
Beautifully crafted and so very unusual. My first impressions of the book as a kind of ghost story were quickly dispelled and I was kept guessing where the story would go. A love story with mental health issues and death at its core, it was thought provoking and deliciously intriguing. Highly recommended 4.5 stars
February 6, 2018
Review to follow but as you can see it gets a 5* rating!!!
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