958. Gabriel's Gift

Gabriel's Gift
Hanif Kureishi
2001
Around 180 pages

I am unsurprised to see that this was nixed from future editions from the List. It's not a very remarkable book and certainly it's the least remarkable Kureishi so far. So let's remark on it!

Rex Bunch is a washed up musician who once played with Leslie Jones. His partner Christine once designed clothes for rock stars, so the glory days are behind them both. Their son Gabriel is gifted a drawing by Leslie Jones. To prevent another argument from taking place, Gabriel makes copies of the drawing, giving one to his mom and one to his dad, and keeping the original to himself.

Gabriel seemed younger than his stated age of fifteen, although I guess he is stunted from his codependent relationship with his parents. But an unconvincing protagonist and a weirdly abrupt and strange ending make this one a no for me.

I haven't really enjoyed any Kureishi novel, so no tearful goodbyes this time.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

In early 2013, Kureishi lost his life savings, intended to cover "the ups and downs of being a writer", in a suspected fraud.

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