Fishbowl

Even a goldfish can dream of adventure… From his enviable view from a balcony on the 27th floor of an apartment block, Ian the Goldfish has frequent – if fleeting – desires for a more exciting life. Until one day, a series of unfortunate events gives him an opportunity to escape… Our story begins, however, with the human inhabitants of Ian’s building. There is the handsome student, his girlfriend, and his mistress; an agoraphobic sex worker, the invisible caretaker; the pregnant woman on bed rest; and the home-schooled boy, Herman, who thinks he can travel through time. And as Ian tumbles perilously downwards, he will witness all their lives, loves, triumphs and disasters… A truly original, philosophically joyful and charming novel with the unlikeliest of heroes. This is Tales of the City as seen by a goldfish. The author, Bradley Somer, was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Canada. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals, reviews and anthologies. His debut novel, Imperfections, was published in Fall 2012 by Nightwood Editions in Canada. Imperfections earned a starred review from Quill & Quire magazine, won the 2013 CBC Bookie Award for debut of the year, was one of the Canadian Bookseller’s Top 8 Picks for 2012, and has received a host of other critic’s praises (I’ve included some of that review attention, below). Bradley has spoken for many radio interviews, festivals and literary events and he continues to tour with reading engagements. FISHBOWL is his UK debut.