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600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
Last post 08-09-2012 21:57 by MandyJ. 10 replies.
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08-08-2012 20:50
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Post ID: 1,012,541
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lovelytreez
  - Joined on 05-04-2007
- BELFAST
- Posts 21,779
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600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
Paperback, 334 pages
Expected publication: August 14th 2012 by Amazon Encore
Source – Amazon Vine
My Rating – 5 stars
I was initially attracted to this novel as Edward, the narrator, has Aspergers (like my son). Maybe I’m a sucker for punishment but I like to know how ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) is presented in fiction – sometimes authors hit the nail on the head e.g. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time which was equally enjoyed by my son and I, whilst others really miss the mark and one can’t help suspecting they’re using it in an effort to make their novel quirky, to give it a twist. Edward passed our stringent authenticity test and I think he will endear himself to many, many readers.
Aspergers does not define Edward but it’s part of who he is and it explains his love of facts and avoidance of ambiguity. Yes, he can be blunt, lacking diplomacy but it’s his OCD which dominates his life. He lives apart from his family and communicates with his father through a solicitor – he’d love to have a better relationship with his father but it takes two to tango. His days are structured around various “data collection” – recording his waking time, the daily weather statistics, compelled to watch old videos of the 50s/60s US police drama, Dragnet, at 10.00pm each evening without fail. He has a vast collection of letters of complaint, letters which he composes to various individuals who have slighted/offended him in some way but which remain unsent, on the advice of his therapist!
However, life is about to change for Edward who, at 39, has led a reclusive existence with very little human contact. His first experience of internet dating is an education. A new neighbour brings new opportunities for interaction. It’s not an easy transition but Edward starts to emerge from his cocoon and stamp his personality on the world.
600 Hours of Edward is an excellent debut novel with a narrator whose personality will immediately engage the reader. It made me laugh out loud at times and even sniffle a little but ultimately it left me feeling positive and optimistic. I felt I got to know Edward and his hometown, Billings, Montana which exists in real life, including Edward’s local convenience store, Albertsons and his actual street! If you enjoyed Heft by Liz Moore I think you will be equally enthralled by 600 Hours of Edward.
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annecater
 - Joined on 05-04-2007
- Land of Red Arrows & Sausages
- Posts 34,973
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
How bizarre! I've just this very minute read your review of this on Amazon, and immediately added it to my wishlist. Sounds great - Cheers!
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shanzi
  - Joined on 05-04-2007
- Berkshire
- Posts 9,653
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
I too will be adding this to my Wishlist. I also read the book by Mark Haddon. I will be on the look out for this when it reaches the charity shops. Thanks for the review
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janetandjohn
 - Joined on 11-03-2007
- MODeration in all things except books!
- Posts 21,055
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
Ooooh treez! I am going to read "Heft" this month,and my TBR is big enough already, but it has to go on my wish list now 
Mrs Mac of janetandjohn  http://www.mac-adventureswithbooks.blogspot.com/ IMG]
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kaydee23
 - Joined on 12-16-2007
- Posts 9,606
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
I like the sound of this one - on the wishlist it goes. Thanks Treez...I think!
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natsplatt
 - Joined on 04-18-2008
- Bristol
- Posts 17,083
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
Another heading onto the wishlist, thanks Treez!
Nat
Currently Reading:some books, lol!
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alison44
  - Joined on 04-16-2010
- St Helens, Merseyside
- Posts 4,573
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
I really like the sound of this. I'm also always interested in books with characters with Aspergers, having taught a couple of children who had it. And I totally agree with what you say Treez about some writers using it to make their novels quirky. That's why I felt a bit uncomfortable about the Kathy Lette book I read a few weeks ago, although I know her own son has Aspergers. Anyway, this is going on my wishlist. I attempted Nanowrimo last year and failed miserably, and have no intention of ever trying again, so I have nothing but respect for anyone who produces anything worthwhile as a result of it!
http://alisoninwriterland.blogspot.co.uk/
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lovelytreez
- Joined on 05-04-2007
- BELFAST
- Posts 21,779
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
 alison44:
I really like the sound of this. I'm also always interested in books with characters with Aspergers, having taught a couple of children who had it. And I totally agree with what you say Treez about some writers using it to make their novels quirky. That's why I felt a bit uncomfortable about the Kathy Lette book I read a few weeks ago, although I know her own son has Aspergers. Anyway, this is going on my wishlist. I attempted Nanowrimo last year and failed miserably, and have no intention of ever trying again, so I have nothing but respect for anyone who produces anything worthwhile as a result of it!
I have heard mixed reports about the Kathy Lette book, I know she is writing from personal experience but it really doesn't sound like a book I'd enjoy so it won't be going on my wish list!
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MandyJ
 - Joined on 05-04-2007
- Cheltenham
- Posts 4,613
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Re: 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
Oh dear - yet another one for the wishlist....
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