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Plausible Deniability
A humorous, heartfelt novel about a man trying to find himself in a world that keeps shifting under his feet. Pete Wendell doesn’t feel well. He’s traded his past as a hardcharging reporter for the safer, more lucrative world of corporate PR. His wife disapproves, his co-workers don’t respect him, and there seems to be something wrong with his balance. Moving back to his old hometown to begin his family, Pete is surrounded by his his wealthy, demanding father, his sad, alcoholic mother, a high school friend who berates him for his excessive drinking. Through it all, Pete tries to be a better man, with middling results. It’s not until a scandal erupts over his company’s dubious practices that Pete must finally decide to be the hero of his own story, if it’s not too late.
334 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2020
38 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 18, 2022
It's not often I'm so hooked on a book I have to switch to reading on my phone because my Kindle is elsewhere, but this was one such book.
Pete Wendell is an intriguing character who is in perpetual denial and whose emotional distance from events in his life underpins the narrative. This is a risky manoeuvre on the author's part, as it could have made the story quite dry and factual, and to a certain extent it is, but there's this sense of Pete walking a precipice from which he could topple at any moment.
While I would have liked a bit more emotional punch when he doe finally fall, it simply wouldn't be authentic to the character or the world he inhabits. The ending is satisfying if not a touch abrupt.
This book came to me via Amazon First Reads - I'm looking forward to reading more from Robert Gilbert.
Pete Wendell is an intriguing character who is in perpetual denial and whose emotional distance from events in his life underpins the narrative. This is a risky manoeuvre on the author's part, as it could have made the story quite dry and factual, and to a certain extent it is, but there's this sense of Pete walking a precipice from which he could topple at any moment.
While I would have liked a bit more emotional punch when he doe finally fall, it simply wouldn't be authentic to the character or the world he inhabits. The ending is satisfying if not a touch abrupt.
This book came to me via Amazon First Reads - I'm looking forward to reading more from Robert Gilbert.
November 13, 2020
Human fallibility
I thought this great writing. The prose is descriptive and a joy to read. Pete’s character is so thoroughly explored that he becomes a real person. I wanted him to escape from his destructive self, and I found myself holding my breath as he did one stupid thing after another.
There are some other wonderful characters who, no matter how briefly they appear, add colour and empathy. The old priest is a delight.
The ending was abrupt but I don’t know where else the author could take Pete. Going back and reading the prologue helped me find some sort of closure for him.
I’m going to read more from this author. The writing is just so good, right up there with other contemporary literature.
I thought this great writing. The prose is descriptive and a joy to read. Pete’s character is so thoroughly explored that he becomes a real person. I wanted him to escape from his destructive self, and I found myself holding my breath as he did one stupid thing after another.
There are some other wonderful characters who, no matter how briefly they appear, add colour and empathy. The old priest is a delight.
The ending was abrupt but I don’t know where else the author could take Pete. Going back and reading the prologue helped me find some sort of closure for him.
I’m going to read more from this author. The writing is just so good, right up there with other contemporary literature.
November 11, 2020
Publishing
The story line follows some of the seedier aspects of journalism and the publishing business. This book is worth the read
The story line follows some of the seedier aspects of journalism and the publishing business. This book is worth the read
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews