Less.

Writer Arther Less isn't having a good time of things lately. His book sales have declined, his publisher has turned down his newest novel and to top it all his younger boyfriend is getting married to someone else. When Arthur receives a wedding invitation to his (now) ex's wedding he is too distraught to attend but to refuse would be churlish. Arthur's solution to the problem of the wedding invitation is to embark on a whirlwind trip around the world which incorporate a series of work-related events and pleasurable side trips. His tour includes hosting literary soirees in Paris, attending a writers retreat in India, teaching at a German summer school and attending the birthday party of a friend of a friend in the Moroccan desert to name but a few. Only when the wedding and the accompanying celebrations are over does Arthur feel he can finally return home comfortably.

I picked Less up on a whim, I liked the cover and it had had promising reviews - hell, it had even won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction! I was looking for a lighthearted read and this book was branded as being hilariously funny by numerous reviewers. Well, I worked my way through this parody of an educated American abroad stony-faced, I didn't even crack a smile. This was another book that left me wondering what all the great reviews were about. It was a great idea for a novel and there were so many scenes that had potential but failed to deliver. Less himself was flat, an unfleshed out character that I could not get to grips with, and the book was filled with cliches and cliched characters. 

This was a tedious read, the only thing I liked about it was the surprisingly sweet ending. Less was mediocre at best and I'm left scratching my head as to why it has received so much acclaim.

Not recommended.