Toby: A Man

by Todd Babiak

Television presenter and man-about-town Toby Marshallthinks he has it all. But in the days after his father has astartling accident, Toby makes a series of very bad decisionsthat throw his life into disarray. Jobless, friendless and suddenlysingle, Toby does the worst thing a man of his generation he moves into the basement of his parents’ suburban bungalow. Toby feels he has hit rock bottom. But his father’s increasinglyerratic behaviour, funny and terrifying at once, signalsmore profound challenges. Toby’s chance encounter with anunstable young francophone mother who abandons her two-year-old son to Toby’s care brings actual responsibility for thefirst time. Soon he is dealing with death, diapers and, ultimately,true love. Toby at last begins to climb out of the hole that is hislife -- muddy, broke, bruised, heartbroken -- but finally, a man.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Unfinished

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

When I think no one else is around, I conduct pretend orchestras.

Reviews

[Peter Darbyshire]

Death of a Salesman for the GQ generation, who look on the Maxim generation with despair.

[Megan]

I really enjoyed the concept of this story, but I will admit to being disappointed by the ending. First off, it felt really really rushed, and then I just didn't like how it ended as a whole. Started with a lot of excitement and potential, but sadly went downhill towards the end and overall a bit disappointing

[Melinda Worfolk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I heard a very lively interview with the author on CBC Radio, and because the premise of the book sounded interesting and entertaining. It's true, there were parts that were amusing, but overall I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The author tackles a topic that is potentially interesting--an emotionally stunted late 30s man who is jolted out of his comfortable, self-centred, kind of unpleasant existence when he is suddenly saddled with an unavoidable responsibility--but the resulting story is a little bit awkwardly put together. Also, Babiak does not seem to know how to write a well-rounded female character and relies heavily on stereotype (beautiful, callous ex-girlfriend; shrill, nagging mother; flaky, dangerously irresponsible one-night stand).

At the same time, I saw glimmers of potential in this book, and large chunks of it are funny and likeable. Toby really does become a man by the end of the novel, and it's impossible to remain unsympathetic to him. Ultimately, this was just an OK book for me, but it had enough potential that I'd read something else by this author.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd Babiak is one of my favorite contemporary novelists. In one sense his novels follow a similar pattern. A young man, no longer an adolescent, encounters various challenges in his life. Three of those challenges occur in all four novels: women, friends and parents. Coupled to a breezy and humorous style are geographic settings and time periods that ring absolutely true. For me this was most evident in The Garneau Block, and The Book of Stanley which are set, respectively, in the Garneau neighborhood of Edmonton and in the latter, Banff, Alberta. Both places where I have lived. Todd's latest, Toby: A Man, takes this formula, pushes its boundaries, and changes the setting from Alberta to Montreal. Again it's a pitch perfect satire of bootstrap careerism and what happens when this carefully constructed world crashes down on Toby's head. Alternately funny and sorrowful, filled with great characters and an interesting portrait of the Montreal suburbs, this is, ultimately, a heartwarming novel.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I discover a contemporary of Mordecai Richler...now I find a successor. This is a novel that combines the heartwarming familiarity of Canadiana with modern suburban fixations, tied together with lashing of black comedy that is occasionally dark enough to blind Dracula himself. As an ode to life's complexities and what it means to be "mature", this is a wonderful, amusing, heart-breaking piece of work.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clean piece of Canadiana, refreshing. No real "uniqueness" except for it's locale. It's a very common middle-age crunch style of story. There is some real life experience that permeates the pages on the part of the author. You will empathize with Toby. You will feel his ambition and conflict. It is if anything an effective novel, but hardly original.

[Corry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny book about a thirthy seven year old self-made "society" man who finally grows up and gets what's important in life. Babiak has a nice sarcastic way of describing some very funny and sad situations

[Jennww2ns · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "The Book of Stanley" so I was looking forward to reading this one but I was disappointed. I just didn't connect with Toby and didn't feel he was genuine. I didn't even find it all that interesting until about 2/3 of the way through.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel written by a friend. Will review for my column in the Daily Herald Tribune. Three and a half stars.

[Steven Buechler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. A story of a man who falls from grace but in the process learns what is really important in life. Has excellent moments of humour, saddness, heart ache and foolishness.

[Shiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well written!
Todd Babiak has a talent for making very mundane details and typical routines hilarious and a little absurd.

[Que · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. And it was written by Todd Babiak who is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Todd Babiak is very entertaining as a writer and as an interviewee!
Very enjoyable book..covers all emotions.
Thankx

[Goodryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, serious, sweet and sad book about a man who loses his perfect life but turns into a father.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

June 2011 book club book, local authors