Always read the small print...

Robert Glancy's debut novel proves that the devil is indeed in the detail, in this case within the small print. We meet Frank Shaw whose job, on the bottom most rung of the corporate ladder, is to compile the terms and conditions (the bit nobody reads)in contracts compiled by his family law firm.

Following a near fatal car crash Frank pieces together his life from fragments of memories using his meticulous attention to detail. By appraising the rules of life through different 'terms and conditions' Frank discovers more about his former life than he ever understood before his amnesia.

1. Frank hates his job

2. Frank is suspicious of his wife

3. Frank wasn't the happy chappy everyone tells him he was

The novel is initially tricky to get into. Each chapter includes foot notes which feel more like an academic paper than a work of fiction however, a quarter of the way in to the book this feels natural as we get to know Frank, the narrator. What begins as an unusual quirk soon becomes an valid device which provides a handy and concise way to develop characters and plot lines. 

Interesting characters include Alice, Frank's wife and author of a seminal business book who struggles to understand the boundaries between real life and a self help seminar. Also Malc, Frank's brother whose emails from Thailand often go unanswered. 

The novel is at its best when Frank begins to understand the small print of his own life. Firstly challenging the point of his his career by unleashing 'corporate graffiti' in the small print of some pretty serious contracts. Secondly as he begins to unravel the deceit close to home. Original and compelling stuff.

The only unanswered question is why Frank ever accepted the status quo before his accident. A sobering prospect that it took a serious car crash for Frank to get a grip on life! 

Terms and conditions is a disappointing read that's slow burning, formulaic and predictable*

* Disclaimer: Of course, none of this is true, Terms and conditions is a great read! 

What the critics said...

This tale of a lawyer losing his grip on reality is original, very funny and very poignant. Read it! (Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen)

It's wonderful. Funny, poignant, simple and profound - it's the kind of book I absolutely love. And it has the best ending I've read in a very long time (Gavin Extence, author of The Universe Versus Alex Woods)