Best beach reads 2005

Finding Myself
(Penguin Canada, 2005)
By Toby Litt

Writer Victoria About is a deliciously manipulative instigator -- and her indiscretions make her oh-so-appealing. She invites 14 friends to a vacation house in a seaside town in England for one month, free of charge. The catch is that she will observe and then write about the goings-on of the vacationers.

The entire book is visually laid out as a manuscript, complete with editor's revisions and provocative notes such as "he'll sue if you use his real name" or "the para. I've taken was so libellous that I'm not even letting the lawyers look at it." These scribblings will have you wondering just what happens at the house to make the editor and some of the participants so anxious about what Victoria writes.

The premise of the book reminds you of reality TV shows where human interactions are on display and, just as drama prevails on these unscripted television programs, tension takes a starring role in Victoria's production. A potential downfall of Finding Myself is the references to supposed scandal throughout the book may turn the denouement into a letdown for readers who may expect more of a stir than what actually occurs. But crass Victoria will have you chuckling at her antics and delighting in the consequences of her actions.