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Albatross
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
From two-time Leacock Medal winner Terry Fallis comes a funny and smart new novel about destiny--and what it means to forge your own path.
Adam Coryell is your average high-school student--well, except for that obsession with fountain pens--when his life changes forever. Based on a study by a quirky Swedish professor that claims that every human being, regardless of athletic inclination, has a body that is suited to excel in at least one sport, it turns out that Adam is good--very good, in fact--at golf. Even though he'd never even picked up a golf club.
Almost instantly, and with his coach, hard-nosed Bobbie Davenport by his side, Adam and his new-found talent skyrocket to a prodigy-level stardom that includes tournament titles, sponsorship deals, throngs of fans following his every move, and fodder for tabloids.
But here's the catch: Adam doesn't really like golf. And as the life he once knew slips away--including the love of his life, the dream of being a writer, and everyday normalcy--he can't help but wonder if all this success and fame is worth it . . . or if it's enough for him.
Heartwarming and funny, sweeping and entertaining, Terry Fallis's new book takes readers on a journey of self-discovery.
From two-time Leacock Medal winner Terry Fallis comes a funny and smart new novel about destiny--and what it means to forge your own path.
Adam Coryell is your average high-school student--well, except for that obsession with fountain pens--when his life changes forever. Based on a study by a quirky Swedish professor that claims that every human being, regardless of athletic inclination, has a body that is suited to excel in at least one sport, it turns out that Adam is good--very good, in fact--at golf. Even though he'd never even picked up a golf club.
Almost instantly, and with his coach, hard-nosed Bobbie Davenport by his side, Adam and his new-found talent skyrocket to a prodigy-level stardom that includes tournament titles, sponsorship deals, throngs of fans following his every move, and fodder for tabloids.
But here's the catch: Adam doesn't really like golf. And as the life he once knew slips away--including the love of his life, the dream of being a writer, and everyday normalcy--he can't help but wonder if all this success and fame is worth it . . . or if it's enough for him.
Heartwarming and funny, sweeping and entertaining, Terry Fallis's new book takes readers on a journey of self-discovery.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2019
About the author
Terry Fallis
10 books680 followersTerry Fallis is the award-winning author of nine national bestsellers, including his latest, A New Season, all published by McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House). His debut novel, The Best Laid Plans, won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and was crowned the 2011 winner of CBC Canada Reads as the "essential Canadian novel of the decade." In January 2014, CBC aired a six-part television miniseries based on The Best Laid Plans earning very positive reviews. In September 2015, it debuted as a stage musical in Vancouver. The High Road was published in September 2010 and was a finalist for the 2011 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Terry's third novel, Up and Down, was released in September 2012. It debuted on the Globe and Mail bestsellers list, was a finalist for the 2013 Leacock Medal, and won the 2013 Ontario Library Association Evergreen Award. In June 2013, the Canadian Booksellers Association presented Terry with the Libris Award for Author of the Year. Terry's fourth novel, No Relation, hit bookstores in May 2014, opened on the Globe and Mail bestsellers list, and won the 2015 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Poles Apart was released in October 2015, immediately hit the Globe and Mail bestsellers list, and was a finalist for the 2016 Leacock Medal. One Brother Shy (2017), Albatross (2019), Operation Angus (2021), and A New season (2023) were all instant bestsellers upon publication. He is currently working on his tenth novel, likely to be published in August 2025.
Terry Fallis earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from McMaster University and then spent several years working in federal and Ontario politics. In 1995, he co-founded Thornley Fallis, a full service communications and digital agency with offices in Toronto and Ottawa. He blogs at www.terryfallis.com and his twitter handle is @TerryFallis. Subscribe to his Substack posts here: https://terryfallis.substack.com
Terry Fallis earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from McMaster University and then spent several years working in federal and Ontario politics. In 1995, he co-founded Thornley Fallis, a full service communications and digital agency with offices in Toronto and Ottawa. He blogs at www.terryfallis.com and his twitter handle is @TerryFallis. Subscribe to his Substack posts here: https://terryfallis.substack.com
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March 29, 2020ariel has sold me on this book
I don't care about golf but I am intrigued.
I don't care about golf but I am intrigued.
January 2, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a very interesting story. I really liked Part I, even with all the talk about golf and fountain pens. The idea behind Adam being perfect at playing golf was intriguing and I was invested to see how he would decide between doing what he is best at, but doesn't really care about, and doing what he loves, which is creative writing. I enjoyed his conversations about books and creative writing with Bobbie, his professor and coach. I also really liked his relationship with Alli and the story they were writing together.
At the end of Part I the story takes an unexpected turn that I didn't like, to be honest. It just felt odd and even though I'm fine with how it affected the rest of the story, it could have happened differently.
I generally liked how the story progressed in Parts II and III. My only complaints are that things went too easily for Adam, and what he did to help the publishing company felt like using his celebrity status for his own work too, which is something he never wanted to do.
Fun fact. From the point the book was written, the last few chapters take place in the near future and the very last chapter is dated May, 2022, which is when I read the book. Obviously, I didn't know about that going in, but I thought it was a fun coincidence.
This was a very interesting story. I really liked Part I, even with all the talk about golf and fountain pens. The idea behind Adam being perfect at playing golf was intriguing and I was invested to see how he would decide between doing what he is best at, but doesn't really care about, and doing what he loves, which is creative writing. I enjoyed his conversations about books and creative writing with Bobbie, his professor and coach. I also really liked his relationship with Alli and the story they were writing together.
At the end of Part I the story takes an unexpected turn that I didn't like, to be honest. It just felt odd and even though I'm fine with how it affected the rest of the story, it could have happened differently.
I generally liked how the story progressed in Parts II and III. My only complaints are that things went too easily for Adam, and what he did to help the publishing company felt like using his celebrity status for his own work too, which is something he never wanted to do.
Fun fact. From the point the book was written, the last few chapters take place in the near future and the very last chapter is dated May, 2022, which is when I read the book. Obviously, I didn't know about that going in, but I thought it was a fun coincidence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
3.75 stars
Albatross is a contagiously positive story. The protagonists journey is filled with highs and lows that in the end gave me a new perspective on doing what makes you happy.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Seventeen year old Adam Coryell is dead set on a future in writing.
When a new gym teacher asks to test a theory on his class -one that states the measurements of a persons extremities will reveal a sport they’re bound to excel at- Adam is curious.
The teacher tells him that he scored in the 99th percentile for golf, which is unheard of. She gets Adam to pick up a club, and soon enough he is rising to global fame as a champion athlete. However, Adam still holds a love for writing, and will be forced to choose between what he loves, and what he’s good at.
~★~
Adam Coryell was a perfect protagonist for this story. I’ve never watched a full game of golf in my life, but found myself completely absorbed in his journey to stardom in the industry. The relationship between Adam and his teacher warmed my heart, especially with all of her encouragement and confidence in him.
Don’t let the golf aspect turn you away from this book; Albatross contains a message that goes far beyond the sport. It’s about staying true to your dreams and sticking to what you love despite all else. I found it nearly impossible not to become enraptured with this tale.
The writing remained lighthearted and efficient throughout, which served this story well. The narrative was humorous and true, making for an easy reading experience. It’s not often I read something form a Canadian author, and this one was a delight! I loved hearing about places in the country that I could identify myself, having lived here forever. Overall a wonderful book!
Albatross is a contagiously positive story. The protagonists journey is filled with highs and lows that in the end gave me a new perspective on doing what makes you happy.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Seventeen year old Adam Coryell is dead set on a future in writing.
When a new gym teacher asks to test a theory on his class -one that states the measurements of a persons extremities will reveal a sport they’re bound to excel at- Adam is curious.
The teacher tells him that he scored in the 99th percentile for golf, which is unheard of. She gets Adam to pick up a club, and soon enough he is rising to global fame as a champion athlete. However, Adam still holds a love for writing, and will be forced to choose between what he loves, and what he’s good at.
~★~
Adam Coryell was a perfect protagonist for this story. I’ve never watched a full game of golf in my life, but found myself completely absorbed in his journey to stardom in the industry. The relationship between Adam and his teacher warmed my heart, especially with all of her encouragement and confidence in him.
Don’t let the golf aspect turn you away from this book; Albatross contains a message that goes far beyond the sport. It’s about staying true to your dreams and sticking to what you love despite all else. I found it nearly impossible not to become enraptured with this tale.
The writing remained lighthearted and efficient throughout, which served this story well. The narrative was humorous and true, making for an easy reading experience. It’s not often I read something form a Canadian author, and this one was a delight! I loved hearing about places in the country that I could identify myself, having lived here forever. Overall a wonderful book!
September 5, 2021
points off for being about golf (not a sport, waste of land and resources), weirdly juvenile writing style, characters don’t talk like humans or have believable motivations (adam is like preternaturally monogamous and devoted to his high school girlfriend who has no discernible character) also points off for the main character having gone to LEASIDE. felt really preachy and had a way too obvious moral/premise. i was bored.
August 18, 2020
3.5 — A young man who has a body perfectly suited to be a golf champion according to an algorithm developed by a Swedish professor... becomes a golf champion and a multimillionaire in no time at all. Only Adam has no interest in golf whatsoever. He finds it dull and a boring chore. He’s always wanted to be a fiction writer and now he has to do interviews and commercials for his sponsors and all these engagements that leave him no time for writing. The one thing that he mustn’t spend time on is actually practicing his golf skills. According to the professor, doing so will only harm his body’s intuitive abilities. So of course all his golf mates resent him.
The premise was very tempting to me because I’m not much into sports to begin with, and golf especially seems like a crashing bore. I would’ve enjoyed this more I think if Fallis hadn’t insisted on making Adam a saint. He had no faults of any kind. No bad habits at all. Only ever did good deeds and ever had good intentions. He did get into a fight once, but presumably to defend himself. I’m too cynical maybe. It just seems like a fairy tale. Not maybe. I’m definitely cynical. I should learn to lighten up. 3.5 for now. I’ll decide whether to upgrade to compensate for my negativity.
The premise was very tempting to me because I’m not much into sports to begin with, and golf especially seems like a crashing bore. I would’ve enjoyed this more I think if Fallis hadn’t insisted on making Adam a saint. He had no faults of any kind. No bad habits at all. Only ever did good deeds and ever had good intentions. He did get into a fight once, but presumably to defend himself. I’m too cynical maybe. It just seems like a fairy tale. Not maybe. I’m definitely cynical. I should learn to lighten up. 3.5 for now. I’ll decide whether to upgrade to compensate for my negativity.
March 26, 2022
Adam Coryell discovers he is born to play golf. Based on a scientific theory that everyone's body is suited for one specific sport, Adam not only excels but is in the 99th percentile of golf players in the world. Except he's never picked up a golf club in his life. In all honesty, he'd rather be a writer. But when the opportunity to be one of the most famous and successful golf players in the world seemingly falls in his lap one day in high school, Adam goes on a journey of self discovery that takes him around the world and back again, until he learns what it means to chase your destiny instead of being ruled by fate.
This was a really fun book! The premise was so interesting, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the sports aspect of this book. Adam is a quirky main character, very much in the vein of John Green's protagonists. I appreciated the discussions this book has around pursuing your dreams even if you aren't naturally gifted in that area, compared to doing something that comes easily to you that you may not be passionate about. I also appreciate that the book doesn't necessarily tell you what to think about Adam's choices. It doesn't necessarily demonize the parts of his life that are 'practical' because we do live in a world where you have to support yourself monetarily, and sometimes our choices prioritize that over our passions.
The writing style was very colloquial. It was definitely not my usual preferred style but it fits the story well. It makes for a very engaging, quick and easy read. I'd definitely recommend this book for people who are seeking out YA/Adult crossover novels.
My biggest issue with the book is that Adam seems a bit too perfect. Everything pretty much works out for him, and that's not inherently a problem, but there doesn't seem to be much internal turmoil to cause him to grow throughout the novel. There is one major plot point about halfway through the book that shakes things up, but I didn't feel like Adam changed much because of it. He was always level-headed, even as a 17 year old boy, and by the end of the novel about 7 years from when the story starts, he doesn't seem all that different. He makes responsible choices throughout, and none of the conflict in the story really comes about because of his own decisions or actions. So his learning opportunities feel more like tests rather than struggles he has to take responsibility for. I found the ending kind of abrupt too, which I think lends itself to my issue with the novel's tidiness. I would have liked a bit more character growth in Adam to make me feel more deeply for his story.
This was a really fun book! The premise was so interesting, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the sports aspect of this book. Adam is a quirky main character, very much in the vein of John Green's protagonists. I appreciated the discussions this book has around pursuing your dreams even if you aren't naturally gifted in that area, compared to doing something that comes easily to you that you may not be passionate about. I also appreciate that the book doesn't necessarily tell you what to think about Adam's choices. It doesn't necessarily demonize the parts of his life that are 'practical' because we do live in a world where you have to support yourself monetarily, and sometimes our choices prioritize that over our passions.
The writing style was very colloquial. It was definitely not my usual preferred style but it fits the story well. It makes for a very engaging, quick and easy read. I'd definitely recommend this book for people who are seeking out YA/Adult crossover novels.
My biggest issue with the book is that Adam seems a bit too perfect. Everything pretty much works out for him, and that's not inherently a problem, but there doesn't seem to be much internal turmoil to cause him to grow throughout the novel. There is one major plot point about halfway through the book that shakes things up, but I didn't feel like Adam changed much because of it. He was always level-headed, even as a 17 year old boy, and by the end of the novel about 7 years from when the story starts, he doesn't seem all that different. He makes responsible choices throughout, and none of the conflict in the story really comes about because of his own decisions or actions. So his learning opportunities feel more like tests rather than struggles he has to take responsibility for. I found the ending kind of abrupt too, which I think lends itself to my issue with the novel's tidiness. I would have liked a bit more character growth in Adam to make me feel more deeply for his story.
April 29, 2020
(southern old lady accent) Well, wasn't that just sickly sweet?
I get that this story is some people's cup of tea: nothing ever goes wrong, it all reads like a fairy tale/ fable, every character is basically an angel, everyone's qUiRkS are off the charts (took me a while, but finally realized why this book's writing felt so familiar, it reminded me of Gitty Daneshvari's School of Fear series; I'm pretty sure that having super quirky characters and dialogue is sort of her trademark by now), everything falls into place like puzzle pieces, it's just pure feel-good escapism. But it doesn't work for me. It didn't work for Red, White & Royal Blue, and it didn't work here either.
First and foremost, our main character Adam is boring as fuck. He has no negative qualities. He becomes a golfing champion by chance and by no effort of his own, he takes criticism for his writing like a champ, his girlfriend breaks up with him in the beginning but OF COURSE they reconcile years later because she obviously never got over him either, he uses all his money for The Greater Good, he only snaps once in the entire book. It's BORING. Everyone on Earth has good qualities and, um, less-than-good qualities, and that's what makes us interesting. Adam doesn't, Adam's basically a saint. Everything goes his way throughout the book.
Then: I lost interest (there's a verb in Greek, ξενερωσα, perfect for this occasion) in the book after the Dubai incident. I'd already suspended my disbelief for the entire premise of the book (a teenager who happens to play golf perfectly, more perfectly that the professionals! He can't even practice because it'll affect his perfect playing! He can't even THINK about golf, or else!), but then that scene came up. Give me a fucking break.
The incident above was also the ONLY time that anything "negative"/ out of Adam's control happens in the book. From that moment on, everything is totally smooth sailing. Even his girlfriend becomes an overnight sensation, somehow, for her very first book ever. Nothing ever goes wrong in the book, and just like Adam himself, it's BORING. There's no tension, there are never any high stakes in the book. Adam even goes to the OLYMPICS and just wins, effortlessly.
And, of course, there's another ....small..... issue. Maybe this one counts as a personal pet peeve, so I saved it for last: from reading the synopsis, I thought the book would be tackling the dilemma of "I'm good at golf and I can earn a living from it, but I hate it and it doesn't fulfill me; I want to be a writer instead, but I'm not amazing at it; can I juggle both? Should I pursue one and not the other, at the cost of my living or my happiness respectively? Which one should I choose?" which would have held some nuance (Christ, I've been using that word in all my reviews lately, like an overenthusiastic kid who just learned a new word and has to say it ALL THE TIME) But the book chooses to have Adam just choose golf with all the enthusiasm of a dead fish and zero self-reflection about how it's providing a comfortable life for him. Oh, all the wealth just HAPPENS to be there, he doesn't care, he's so not selfish like that! He's still going to look down his nose at golf every change he gets! Oh, poor little rich kid and his problems, like Robyn said.
The 1-star rating may seem a little harsh (my actual rating is 1,5), because I did finish the book, no problem, and I didn't actively hate it during reading. However, I know I'll never be revisiting it again, and the more I think about it, the more issues I have with it. SPARE ME. I can't wait to move on from this book.
P.S. I couldn't care less about all the fountain pen talk. I skimmed every single description of fountain pens and inks. The names meant nothing to me and it happened again and again.
I get that this story is some people's cup of tea: nothing ever goes wrong, it all reads like a fairy tale/ fable, every character is basically an angel, everyone's qUiRkS are off the charts (took me a while, but finally realized why this book's writing felt so familiar, it reminded me of Gitty Daneshvari's School of Fear series; I'm pretty sure that having super quirky characters and dialogue is sort of her trademark by now), everything falls into place like puzzle pieces, it's just pure feel-good escapism. But it doesn't work for me. It didn't work for Red, White & Royal Blue, and it didn't work here either.
First and foremost, our main character Adam is boring as fuck. He has no negative qualities. He becomes a golfing champion by chance and by no effort of his own, he takes criticism for his writing like a champ, his girlfriend breaks up with him in the beginning but OF COURSE they reconcile years later because she obviously never got over him either, he uses all his money for The Greater Good, he only snaps once in the entire book. It's BORING. Everyone on Earth has good qualities and, um, less-than-good qualities, and that's what makes us interesting. Adam doesn't, Adam's basically a saint. Everything goes his way throughout the book.
Then: I lost interest (there's a verb in Greek, ξενερωσα, perfect for this occasion) in the book after the Dubai incident. I'd already suspended my disbelief for the entire premise of the book (a teenager who happens to play golf perfectly, more perfectly that the professionals! He can't even practice because it'll affect his perfect playing! He can't even THINK about golf, or else!), but then that scene came up. Give me a fucking break.
The incident above was also the ONLY time that anything "negative"/ out of Adam's control happens in the book. From that moment on, everything is totally smooth sailing. Even his girlfriend becomes an overnight sensation, somehow, for her very first book ever. Nothing ever goes wrong in the book, and just like Adam himself, it's BORING. There's no tension, there are never any high stakes in the book. Adam even goes to the OLYMPICS and just wins, effortlessly.
And, of course, there's another ....small..... issue. Maybe this one counts as a personal pet peeve, so I saved it for last: from reading the synopsis, I thought the book would be tackling the dilemma of "I'm good at golf and I can earn a living from it, but I hate it and it doesn't fulfill me; I want to be a writer instead, but I'm not amazing at it; can I juggle both? Should I pursue one and not the other, at the cost of my living or my happiness respectively? Which one should I choose?" which would have held some nuance (Christ, I've been using that word in all my reviews lately, like an overenthusiastic kid who just learned a new word and has to say it ALL THE TIME) But the book chooses to have Adam just choose golf with all the enthusiasm of a dead fish and zero self-reflection about how it's providing a comfortable life for him. Oh, all the wealth just HAPPENS to be there, he doesn't care, he's so not selfish like that! He's still going to look down his nose at golf every change he gets! Oh, poor little rich kid and his problems, like Robyn said.
The 1-star rating may seem a little harsh (my actual rating is 1,5), because I did finish the book, no problem, and I didn't actively hate it during reading. However, I know I'll never be revisiting it again, and the more I think about it, the more issues I have with it. SPARE ME. I can't wait to move on from this book.
P.S. I couldn't care less about all the fountain pen talk. I skimmed every single description of fountain pens and inks. The names meant nothing to me and it happened again and again.
April 15, 2020
Honestly, I love this book so much. The writing style took me some time to get into, but once I did I was hooked and couldn't stop reading until I finished the whole book. I'll keep thinking about this book and the whole idea behind it for a long time, it was charming and I wish more people would read this.
February 1, 2020
This book is overall quite pleasant. I just don't think it would ever have been published without Fallis's name recognition. I don't have a desire to finish it because I'm already certain as to how it will end, and the lack of actual adversity is just making it so bland. It reminds me a bit of when I'd write stories in elementary school and I'd get bad marks because even though my actual WRITING was strong, my plots were totally boring and nothing of substance actually happened.
This could be categorized as a nice little escapist modern fairy tale, perhaps the wholesome fantasy of the upper middle class teenage boy. But the main character seems to have no flaws or depth and as I said there just seems to be an astonishing lack of adversity and conflict. Is it really necessary to spend 400 pages asking whether you should follow your dreams or do what's expected of you? Poor little rich kid. Boring.
(To be clear because Goodreads keeps changing the shelf to "read" - I abandoned this book about 1/3 of the way and it should be officially marked as DNF.)
This could be categorized as a nice little escapist modern fairy tale, perhaps the wholesome fantasy of the upper middle class teenage boy. But the main character seems to have no flaws or depth and as I said there just seems to be an astonishing lack of adversity and conflict. Is it really necessary to spend 400 pages asking whether you should follow your dreams or do what's expected of you? Poor little rich kid. Boring.
(To be clear because Goodreads keeps changing the shelf to "read" - I abandoned this book about 1/3 of the way and it should be officially marked as DNF.)
November 28, 2021
The story doesn't take down any unexpected road but it does it well.
For me this book really picked up in the second hand. The first half really focuses on laying down the story before delving deeper. I still found it fun to read and enjoyed the humor.
For me this book really picked up in the second hand. The first half really focuses on laying down the story before delving deeper. I still found it fun to read and enjoyed the humor.
November 24, 2019
I now know what a 1950 Conway Stuart model 60 is, Adam loved them but did not love golf. Terry Fallis is a Canadian author and Albatross is his newest book. After enjoying “Best Laid Plans”. this is the second book of his I have read.
Ever heard of PIPP, neither had Adam, Body type Analysis for Predictive Innate Pinnacle Proficiency - PIPP
What was I in for as I read about his gym teacher measuring his arms, legs, torso on the first day of classes! What kind of book is this? Matching stained fingers are noted by Adam and his teacher, then enter the obscure Swedish kinesiologist peddling his PIPP theory all makes for a quick enjoyable read
I thought Best Laid Plans was good, Albatross is even better. All will be able to relate to this funny, yet tender story. Lesson learned, stay true to your dreams.
Sort of out of the storyline however I want to share with my fellow female readers - an excellent explanation of Adam’s mother sore feet albeit a fiction book, is there truth in this? Adam comments to his mother’s high heels “They look like medieval torture devices. That’s exactly what they are, mom agrees. It’s all part of a patriarchal conspiracy to oppress women in the marketplace. And I would not be surprised if an engineer, obviously a man, designed them.” I laughed right out loud.
Ever heard of PIPP, neither had Adam, Body type Analysis for Predictive Innate Pinnacle Proficiency - PIPP
What was I in for as I read about his gym teacher measuring his arms, legs, torso on the first day of classes! What kind of book is this? Matching stained fingers are noted by Adam and his teacher, then enter the obscure Swedish kinesiologist peddling his PIPP theory all makes for a quick enjoyable read
I thought Best Laid Plans was good, Albatross is even better. All will be able to relate to this funny, yet tender story. Lesson learned, stay true to your dreams.
Sort of out of the storyline however I want to share with my fellow female readers - an excellent explanation of Adam’s mother sore feet albeit a fiction book, is there truth in this? Adam comments to his mother’s high heels “They look like medieval torture devices. That’s exactly what they are, mom agrees. It’s all part of a patriarchal conspiracy to oppress women in the marketplace. And I would not be surprised if an engineer, obviously a man, designed them.” I laughed right out loud.
April 11, 2020
God, this book was such a wreck. I truly wanted to love this book. It seemed like something that I would love and that it would be such a fun book but I just could not enjoy it the way I wanted to.
Adam, the main character speaks like a 65 year old man reliving his glory of youth. As someone who is just a few years younger than Adam, it was brutal listening to the way he spoke. I know this was done intentionally since his parents brought it up in the beginning of the book, but there was no point to it. As shown by both the critics in his class, and of his published book, he is not a good writer. There is no point to emphasizing the way he speaks, when it is unrealistic. Maybe a young adult in the 1950's would speak the way he did, but a teen who grew up in Toronto- no way.
Additionally, this book tried to be funny, but it was just cringy. I felt embarrassed for the jokes that were made during this book, and they felt like the target audience would have been for a man in his 60's. The humour did not fit it with the time period of this novel.
The Birthmark story was underwhelming. It was such a stupid idea that Adam came up with on the spot, and it was ridiculous for Terry to have made this into such a large plot point. A whole published short story about this? Give me a break. Come up with something new, and original, and maybe it would have been realistic for this to have been published without Adam outing himself.
Overall, this book was such a good idea. The second I heard about this I knew that I had to read it. Unfortunately, the execution was not what I expected, it couldn't be more than a 2 star for me. (I feel super ironic rating it 2 stars on Goodreads when Adam's book was also 2 stars).
Adam, the main character speaks like a 65 year old man reliving his glory of youth. As someone who is just a few years younger than Adam, it was brutal listening to the way he spoke. I know this was done intentionally since his parents brought it up in the beginning of the book, but there was no point to it. As shown by both the critics in his class, and of his published book, he is not a good writer. There is no point to emphasizing the way he speaks, when it is unrealistic. Maybe a young adult in the 1950's would speak the way he did, but a teen who grew up in Toronto- no way.
Additionally, this book tried to be funny, but it was just cringy. I felt embarrassed for the jokes that were made during this book, and they felt like the target audience would have been for a man in his 60's. The humour did not fit it with the time period of this novel.
The Birthmark story was underwhelming. It was such a stupid idea that Adam came up with on the spot, and it was ridiculous for Terry to have made this into such a large plot point. A whole published short story about this? Give me a break. Come up with something new, and original, and maybe it would have been realistic for this to have been published without Adam outing himself.
Overall, this book was such a good idea. The second I heard about this I knew that I had to read it. Unfortunately, the execution was not what I expected, it couldn't be more than a 2 star for me. (I feel super ironic rating it 2 stars on Goodreads when Adam's book was also 2 stars).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2019
Adam Coryell is a golf phenom with no effort, but wants to be a writer. About mid-book, I found I really didn't like him much. Not because he was making money at a game he didn't care about, but because he is so perfect and even tempered. Even when he breaks up with Alli and when he has a meltdown on a TV interview, it was a bit emotionally flat. He takes criticism without any hurt and everything always go his way. He doesn't really fail ever. Everything always works out. It was emotionally flat and lacked the humour I usually like in Fallis's books. Blah!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2019
Delightful is the word that comes to mind. Terry Fallis books are funny - they always have a strong comedic premise - but they also have depth. They have a clear moral without being cheesy. And this book is my favourite of them all.
Adam is a teenager who wants to be the next great Canadian novelist. But when his gym teacher measures him and finds out he has the proportions of the ideal golf player - closer to perfect than has ever been discovered - he takes a different path. Golf comes so easily to him that his first ever swing rivals the skill of the top professionals. So begins the most apathetic professional athletic career in the history of sports.
Oh, and there is a lovely romance, a deep platonic friendship, and lots of obscure references to writing implements. And a couple key moments featuring libraries.
I enjoyed learning about golf (surprisingly), and getting a behind the scenes look at the glamour of professional sports. Early in the book Adam becomes richer than he ever dreamed possible, and I love love loved what he chose to spend his money on. It's fun to imagine a responsible, literary-minded Canadian having millions of dollars to spend.
This is a rare book that will appeal to almost anyone. Including people who don't generally think of themselves as "readers."
Adam is a teenager who wants to be the next great Canadian novelist. But when his gym teacher measures him and finds out he has the proportions of the ideal golf player - closer to perfect than has ever been discovered - he takes a different path. Golf comes so easily to him that his first ever swing rivals the skill of the top professionals. So begins the most apathetic professional athletic career in the history of sports.
Oh, and there is a lovely romance, a deep platonic friendship, and lots of obscure references to writing implements. And a couple key moments featuring libraries.
I enjoyed learning about golf (surprisingly), and getting a behind the scenes look at the glamour of professional sports. Early in the book Adam becomes richer than he ever dreamed possible, and I love love loved what he chose to spend his money on. It's fun to imagine a responsible, literary-minded Canadian having millions of dollars to spend.
This is a rare book that will appeal to almost anyone. Including people who don't generally think of themselves as "readers."
August 29, 2024
the writing style was so juvenile, oof
June 20, 2019
Yes, Terry Fallis’ books are funny. But they’re more than a simply comedic read, they really do, as the acknowledgment says, talk about life. What happens when you’re happy to make do with the lemons life has given you and you’re content to set about making lemonade but then out of nowhere, you win the DNA lottery and you’re pretty much force-fed champagne lemon gelato? Ad if you’re not sure what I’m getting at, you’ll have to read the book! The albatross of good fortune is an interesting concept, as is that of God given talents vs that which one works so hard to achieve. As always, the road is hilly, life is messy and the results are bittersweet. A reaffirming read, I enjoyed Albatross and there are interesting insights into writing, publishing and fountains pens!
December 15, 2019
Terry Fallis is my favourite Canadian author. I fell head over heels in love with his writing when the Best Laid Plans came out, and I think this book might be my next favourite....when I read his work it feels like this man lives inside my brain and writes the way I think, the way I talk. This novel, speaks to me on so many levels, but as an avid reader, an aspiring novelist, and a library lover and board member all I can think to say is - thank you good sir for writing stories that sit with me, inspire me and remind me of how many good, decent people there are in the world. Your books lift me:
October 26, 2019
I may actually hate this book.
Don't get me wrong. Fallis' witticisms still amuse me, but the plot and characterizations are terrible. It's transparently a wish-fulfillment fantasy for your average white man, written by an author with whose privilege insulates himself and his family from the complications surrounding the lives of young people today. The protagonist finds himself unimaginably wealthy and celebrated for his sports ability without having worked to earn this privilege, and the 'problem', in this plot, is how his celebrity and fortune alienate him from others (as well as the reader), and prevent him from achieving success in other spheres of life through his own merits. Fallis attempts to generate some empathy for the character through catastrophes, but as the character's material welfare is never jeopardized, I can't help but feel this book will fail to resonate with millennials. Having worked several jobs that not only paid poorly, but also had a negative impact on my health and life outside of work, this book comes across as unbearably tone-deaf to the experience of modern young Canadians.
Beyond the issue of the plot and character, stylistically, all Fallis' books--and characters--have begun to sound the same, in terms of both narration and dialogue. He's like the Sophie Kinsella of popular fiction for male feminists. He's not unaware of this flaw: several meta-discussions on this occur later in the book. I do wonder whether, given his stable position in the publishing world, he might attempt to diversify his writing style in the future.
Don't get me wrong. Fallis' witticisms still amuse me, but the plot and characterizations are terrible. It's transparently a wish-fulfillment fantasy for your average white man, written by an author with whose privilege insulates himself and his family from the complications surrounding the lives of young people today. The protagonist finds himself unimaginably wealthy and celebrated for his sports ability without having worked to earn this privilege, and the 'problem', in this plot, is how his celebrity and fortune alienate him from others (as well as the reader), and prevent him from achieving success in other spheres of life through his own merits. Fallis attempts to generate some empathy for the character through catastrophes, but as the character's material welfare is never jeopardized, I can't help but feel this book will fail to resonate with millennials. Having worked several jobs that not only paid poorly, but also had a negative impact on my health and life outside of work, this book comes across as unbearably tone-deaf to the experience of modern young Canadians.
Beyond the issue of the plot and character, stylistically, all Fallis' books--and characters--have begun to sound the same, in terms of both narration and dialogue. He's like the Sophie Kinsella of popular fiction for male feminists. He's not unaware of this flaw: several meta-discussions on this occur later in the book. I do wonder whether, given his stable position in the publishing world, he might attempt to diversify his writing style in the future.
August 16, 2021
Infalliable white guy makes millions from golf while resenting the sport the whole time. Amasses millions of dollars and only considers giving them to charity at the very end of the book. Doesn't cry. Doesn't get therapy after a ridiculous attempted kidnapping. Stays chaste to his high school ex-gf throughout his whole college and pro golf career. Gets into the masters course after the deadline with one easy phone call? His gf becomes overnight best seller for her first book??? I mean just let something go wrong (that is actually believable... I'm looking at you, attempted kidnapping atop the Burj Khalifa). Character aside, the writing is so awkward! The dialogue is ridiculous, who, in 2020, uses words like gadzooks naturally??? Everything is skimmed over so quickly and there is no depth to anything or anyone. I feel like the core of the plot has potential, but Fallis failed to realise it! Ironically, all of the criticism Adam cops for his short story during his class is exactly what's wrong with this book... is it meta, or complete unawareness on the writers part? Maybe I would've liked this book if I was 12...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2019
Terry Fallis does it again! It is so uplifting to read his books. This newest novel of my favourite Canadian author is ostensibly about golf (!), but, as usual, it is more importantly about life. As always, the main character is endearing, there are strong female characters, and the story is a page-turner.
I always look forward to reading Fallis’ novels and I particularly enjoyed the way he used Adam, his writer character, to make comments about writing and literature. I quite agree with his statement about fiction being the ideal vehicle for truth-telling, even better than creative non-fiction. And that is Terry Fallis’ forte: telling the truth and doing so in an exceptionally entertaining way.
I always look forward to reading Fallis’ novels and I particularly enjoyed the way he used Adam, his writer character, to make comments about writing and literature. I quite agree with his statement about fiction being the ideal vehicle for truth-telling, even better than creative non-fiction. And that is Terry Fallis’ forte: telling the truth and doing so in an exceptionally entertaining way.
July 2, 2020
This went from being kinda irritating to read to frustrating. I couldn't stand Adam as a main character as he went from being whiny and ungrateful in the beginning of the book to just throwing money at problems in the end of the book. The Goodreads synopsis calls has a "journey of self-discovery" in it and I guess that's true if the "self" he discovered was that he was rich and could use his fame to do whatever he wanted.
I do think it's kind of funny that near to the end of the book Adam talks about going on to Goodreads and reading unfavorable reviews and here I am writing one. A self-fulfilled prophesy.
The second star is for Bobbie, the only character I truly liked and the real MVP.
I do think it's kind of funny that near to the end of the book Adam talks about going on to Goodreads and reading unfavorable reviews and here I am writing one. A self-fulfilled prophesy.
The second star is for Bobbie, the only character I truly liked and the real MVP.
September 29, 2019
I have to approach every Terry Fallis book with the reminder to myself that they can't all be "The Best Laid Plans," otherwise I'm bound to be disappointed. That is one of my very favourite books. That said, Fallis writes compulsively readable and fun novels. The premise of this book was far fetched but I liked how it examined the role of being happy within our chosen careers. As usual, this was a fast read that was over too quickly.
May 11, 2021
A lovely, sweet little read. It handles some quite heavy topics with the dexterity of a pro golfer. Driving points straight and beyond what would be expected.
The story creates a nice conversation around what we are born to do versus what we want to do. The despair of dangling between destiny and desire walking through the unfulfilled death valley of dreams. Also, this book has an unconventional love for alliteration.
The story creates a nice conversation around what we are born to do versus what we want to do. The despair of dangling between destiny and desire walking through the unfulfilled death valley of dreams. Also, this book has an unconventional love for alliteration.
October 6, 2019
This novel was such a pleasure to read! It’s funny, heartfelt and so much more about life than it is about golf. I loved the main character, Adam, and his relationship with Bobbie. Although there were a few moments that felt a tad far-fetched, I couldn’t help but love this book. Such an enjoyable, cozy read that actually has a bit of depth to it. I’ll definitely read more by this author.
September 29, 2020
“And I read. I read for a very long time. It was pure escape, and took me completely out of my own mind and matters. It helped restore balance and perspective. I needed it.”
June 17, 2020
"Albatross" has to be the biggest and best surprise read of 2020 for me! I absolutely LOVED this book. The book is about the sport of golf (honestly, I hate anything to do with golf, but I still loved this book) and about two students that love creative writing (I also love anything to do with writing). It is set in Toronto, Canada in the beginning and branches out to Stanford, California and a quick visit to Dubai, as well.
Terry Fallis has a way of making me laugh... there are so many humorous moments woven throughout these pages, that I just didn't want the book to end. The literary references near the end of the book were hilarious and I loved all the references about small press publishers, books and libraries. This was definitely my kind of book.
Terry Fallis has a way of making me laugh... there are so many humorous moments woven throughout these pages, that I just didn't want the book to end. The literary references near the end of the book were hilarious and I loved all the references about small press publishers, books and libraries. This was definitely my kind of book.
January 18, 2021
this was such a quirky book, i want to read like three more. i can't even really put my finger on its weirdness (the writing? the whole weird ass golf prodigy concept? the plot that was also super random at times? the characters that had zero personality but whom i still kind of enjoyed reading?)
just take my word for it. something was very different about this novel *vague gesturing*
just take my word for it. something was very different about this novel *vague gesturing*
December 9, 2019
Terry Fallis brings his dry sense of humour to the Albatross. Although I am not a golf fan, it was an interesting concept. After listening to his previous books on podcast, I could hear his narration in my head and wish that his new publisher was open to the podcasts (which for the record, i have listened to AND purchased the books).
Looking forward to more Angus!!!
Looking forward to more Angus!!!
November 5, 2020
The main character Adam showed great maturity in his approach to life and his career and his philanthropy. If only more high school students (or even adults!) would show such maturity. The book was easy to read without being overly simplistic. Humorous without being corny. And, public libraries and book mobiles - golden!!!
June 7, 2020
This is a beautiful, down to earth and funny story following Adam through nine years of his life from a senior in high school in Toronto wanting to pursue writing, to being swept into the golf world and celebrity without notice after a teacher decides to test an obscure experiment by a disgraced Swedish scientist.
It sounds ridiculous, and another reviewer said it might not have been published without Fallis' name recognition. Which is ironic because the biggest character arc for Adam is wanting to be rewarded for himself and his hard work not his celebrity. It is a book that I feel like I could write essays on and explore the many themes and arcs that exist beautifully woven into the novel. I give out 5 stars beyond frugally but I give it not because it is a grand masterpiece but because it is an unique premise executed with refreshingly little cliques and is so beautifully Canadian. It stands out as a one of a kind and maybe that would result in an unknown author being rejected but I am so glad that the publishing world is opening up to fresh stories.
I pulled out my notepad for the first time in a long time, writing down lines, and trying to capture every feeling as I experienced it. As someone who has read five hundred books in the last three years, I have become very aware of most executions before they happen. I know the tropes, the arcs, the cliques, but here with a third still left I was still left wondering what else would Fallis write.
The characters are beautifully human. They felt human. They felt real. Not cliches, though Bobbie did have an outlandish way of using old phrases-but as someone who has employed both Great Jehoshaphat and Thus Spake Zarathustra as serious if purposely humourous exclamations I can't really judge her. The main characters we get to really see are Adam, Bobbie Davenport and Alli. And I love them all and they have their motivations and their realness and they are all funny, in my way which never happens. Am I just Canadian funny?
I loved that we got to see Adam and Alli be the best literary couple who exchanged chapters of a novel. What more of romance do we desire? But you also see their different abilities and different focuses in writing, and you the natural descent of relationships post high school especially with distance. Though it never became drama heavy or even over focused upon, instead we the natural progression of relationships, many feeling we have experienced as well.
Adam and Bobbi Davenport's relationship is touching, they and Alli are all linked by their ink stained hands which is so relatable. But also their offball humour and love of knowledge with different directions. It is paternal but it is also platonic and effortlessly endearing and beautiful.
We explored Canadian identity beautifully and effortlessly, it felt grounded in our culture without trying to say much. We saw the cross border of fame, and the different outputs and we saw the gorgeous Canadian nature and how Ontario looks geographically and how it is positioned in dialogue. It is refreshing to know the geography, I am so use to not knowing and as I got older only by other fiction but experiencing stories here is like being seen.
Albatross is something weighing on your shoulders, around your neck but it is also a bird and on the cover you have albatross rearranged to fit inside a bird cage. Doubly invoking a caged bird by name and depiction. Which is one of the key items in the novel, Adam feeling trapped, feeling like he should be grateful. Which he is but grateful and fulfilled are different things. I found this very resonate as I read this and Becoming by Michelle Obama in a 24 hour period and they have a similar conversation over the juxtaposition of success and satisfaction.
Many in the west are more fortunate than we have ever been, having access our parents, grandparents didn't and yet we can feel unfulfilled, unsure we want to pursue something just because we are good. So this is a larger question.
I love Adam's journey of writing, it is neither immediate, easy or the way you would assume and I love it for him.
There is always a danger of going forward and that is you don't know what will happen especially in the near future. I might not have considered this much but this novel published in August of 2019, has significant scenes in 2020 and then all the way to 2022. I wonder why things were not pushed back to line up with them having in the present day. Though three years does not seem much of a gamble. There are scenes in late spring and summer of 2020 that now seem unlikely as of Covid, and the 2020 Olympics became the 2021 Olympics. It could be considered an alternate timeline or seen as less presumptive for it to be set as a future gold. And no one would have guessed this outcome in advance, still it will always seem wrong as it is a phantom Olympics.
There are many spoiling elements I could talk about but I will leave that for another time. In the end this was a refreshing and quirky look at coming of age and finding what does success looks like.
It sounds ridiculous, and another reviewer said it might not have been published without Fallis' name recognition. Which is ironic because the biggest character arc for Adam is wanting to be rewarded for himself and his hard work not his celebrity. It is a book that I feel like I could write essays on and explore the many themes and arcs that exist beautifully woven into the novel. I give out 5 stars beyond frugally but I give it not because it is a grand masterpiece but because it is an unique premise executed with refreshingly little cliques and is so beautifully Canadian. It stands out as a one of a kind and maybe that would result in an unknown author being rejected but I am so glad that the publishing world is opening up to fresh stories.
I pulled out my notepad for the first time in a long time, writing down lines, and trying to capture every feeling as I experienced it. As someone who has read five hundred books in the last three years, I have become very aware of most executions before they happen. I know the tropes, the arcs, the cliques, but here with a third still left I was still left wondering what else would Fallis write.
The characters are beautifully human. They felt human. They felt real. Not cliches, though Bobbie did have an outlandish way of using old phrases-but as someone who has employed both Great Jehoshaphat and Thus Spake Zarathustra as serious if purposely humourous exclamations I can't really judge her. The main characters we get to really see are Adam, Bobbie Davenport and Alli. And I love them all and they have their motivations and their realness and they are all funny, in my way which never happens. Am I just Canadian funny?
I loved that we got to see Adam and Alli be the best literary couple who exchanged chapters of a novel. What more of romance do we desire? But you also see their different abilities and different focuses in writing, and you the natural descent of relationships post high school especially with distance. Though it never became drama heavy or even over focused upon, instead we the natural progression of relationships, many feeling we have experienced as well.
Adam and Bobbi Davenport's relationship is touching, they and Alli are all linked by their ink stained hands which is so relatable. But also their offball humour and love of knowledge with different directions. It is paternal but it is also platonic and effortlessly endearing and beautiful.
We explored Canadian identity beautifully and effortlessly, it felt grounded in our culture without trying to say much. We saw the cross border of fame, and the different outputs and we saw the gorgeous Canadian nature and how Ontario looks geographically and how it is positioned in dialogue. It is refreshing to know the geography, I am so use to not knowing and as I got older only by other fiction but experiencing stories here is like being seen.
Albatross is something weighing on your shoulders, around your neck but it is also a bird and on the cover you have albatross rearranged to fit inside a bird cage. Doubly invoking a caged bird by name and depiction. Which is one of the key items in the novel, Adam feeling trapped, feeling like he should be grateful. Which he is but grateful and fulfilled are different things. I found this very resonate as I read this and Becoming by Michelle Obama in a 24 hour period and they have a similar conversation over the juxtaposition of success and satisfaction.
Many in the west are more fortunate than we have ever been, having access our parents, grandparents didn't and yet we can feel unfulfilled, unsure we want to pursue something just because we are good. So this is a larger question.
I love Adam's journey of writing, it is neither immediate, easy or the way you would assume and I love it for him.
There is always a danger of going forward and that is you don't know what will happen especially in the near future. I might not have considered this much but this novel published in August of 2019, has significant scenes in 2020 and then all the way to 2022. I wonder why things were not pushed back to line up with them having in the present day. Though three years does not seem much of a gamble. There are scenes in late spring and summer of 2020 that now seem unlikely as of Covid, and the 2020 Olympics became the 2021 Olympics. It could be considered an alternate timeline or seen as less presumptive for it to be set as a future gold. And no one would have guessed this outcome in advance, still it will always seem wrong as it is a phantom Olympics.
There are many spoiling elements I could talk about but I will leave that for another time. In the end this was a refreshing and quirky look at coming of age and finding what does success looks like.
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