Best Friends

by Thomas Berger

Named a "New York Times Notable Book" and reviewed by the same publication as "One that ranks near Berger's best: tautly drawn tragicomedy, taking one more mythical swipe and contemporary life," I have to confess...........meh.

Perhaps I was expecting too much; after all, Berger's work "The Feud" was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and "Little Big Man" is known throughout the world (this according to the author bio on the back cover.)

Or perhaps there was a reason that this book was also on the Borders' 99 cent markdown pile, and that's because, while it's written extremely well, the story is a little- well- something. Old? Told? Expected? I'm honestly not sure which adjective to use.

Oh sure, the book was entertaining enough- which is to say I started reading it, wondered how it would end, and thusly finished it. Along the way there were great small "aside" moments and lots of rich character detail, which is probably what contributes to Berger's books being as popular as they apparently are.

But the basic story.

My lord.

It's been told.

Two guys are best friends their whole lives. Predictably, they are different people. Predictably, they are motivated by different things. Predictably, undercurrents of jealousy permeate. Predictably, they find themselves at a crossroads.

It's pretty much the same story, in fact, as ANOTHER "Best Friends" novel I'd read several years back- this one by Martha Moody, I believe- except that instead of two men experiencing the fallout of differences over morals and money, it's two women experiencing the fallout of differences over morals and money, and manages to weave in the porn industry. Points.

Would I rave about this book to a friend? Probably not. Would I loan it to them if they happened to pull it off my shelf and wanted to read it? Sure. I may even give Berger another try and check out one of the works more raved about on the back.

This one, though? Will probably get shelved.