Gil Freeman moves to New York City in the 1970s hoping to become an actor. He shares a flat with Lisa (who wants to paint) and Emma (who wants to write). Parts of this debut novel, such as the beach house visit and the first night of Gil's show, are very clever and very funny. The book is also about youth, friendship and ambition and what happens to them as time goes by. Each chapter is set a year later than the one before, enabling the author to reflect the mood of the moment (news reports re: Nixon and Reagan both figure in the background) and offer snapshots of key moments in the characters' lives. It's very entertaining and moving, too. After 470 pages I would have been happy for it to go on a lot longer.
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