Richard Murphy (1) (1966–)

This really isn't a typical read for me -- I'm not the type to read novels about romance or sordid affairs. However, the description of this book, for some reason, enticed me and I went ahead and requested it. After I flew through the book in 3 days, I find that it's one of the few novels that leaves me with a sense of sorrow at the end -- not because of the subject matter, but for the pure fact that the book was over.

The book itself seems to know that its subject matter is absolutely show more perfect for the time in which it's being published. While the housing market is currently in a slump, house flipping and re-decorating shows are still among the most watched in the country -- and no matter what's going on, no one can ever resist a good story of someone's taboo sexual escapades. This book manages to mix the two in a way that flows seamlessly, keeping the reader intellectually interested alongside the slowly growing plot that gets more scandalous with each page turn. And Murphy's poignant and poetic way of storytelling makes this novel much more than a tale of lust and lumber.

While we seem to get to know other characters' stories much more quickly than we do that of the narrator, he's very likable in a vague sort of way. His voice is intelligent and witty; often sarcastic and always masculine. As the narrator and the story develop, we're given a very insightful look into the male psyche. Another reason that this book really works is because of its honesty honed from Murphy's real life experiences. We also find ourselves learning right along with the characters in the book; whether it's a tip on how to handle a contractor, a home renovation secret or the realization of how the small, simple things in life really *are* the best.

Overall, this book is a light, fun read that still lets you pause to think occasionally and dwell on how the book echoes our own experiences. Definitely something I'd recommend for the reader who likes to use books to get away from their own realities -- but not too, too far. show less

Harry Sullivan reads people's houses the way a fortune teller reads tarot cards - he can predict the future of your marriage from the tiles in your master bathroom. Confessions of a Contractor tells the story of one fateful summer where Harry falls in love, deals with his past and makes decisions about his future.

I was worried, as I started the book, that there would be too much detail about the contracting process; instead, I found that Harry gives you just enough detail to keep it show more interesting. If you think flashing is something that gets you arrested and don't know the difference between blueboard and drywall, you will still be able to follow the renovation discussions. I did find the scale of these renovations a little daunting. A remodeling quote of $468,000? You can buy a couple of houses in my neighborhood for that price! But it's easy to see how, on a project of that size, he can get drawn into the most intimate parts of their lives.

The writing is terrific. There are some wonderful phrases, the kind that make you stop, go back, and read them again. Harry's friends are a great mix of high-powered business types, illegal immigrant contractors and oddball personalities, and they play well off each other. There is a fun story on the surface, but there is also a story underneath - the story of Harry coming to terms with his past and his future. The story of the wood his father collected and the way Harry ultimately deals with tells a wonderful story all its own.

Read my full review here. show less

John Cheever says that the hallmark of good fiction is when the action on the surface of the narrative is underlined by deeper meaning below the surface. Confessions of a Contractor has that in spades. On the surface, it is a romp through the lives of LA's too-wealthy-to-give-a-crap-about-money set, and as such it holds up hilariously, and I think it's easy to get fooled into thinking this is merely a good, light summer read because of Murphy's effortless and breezy tone. But Confessions is show more much more psychologically astute than just that. The novel is really about the unfulfilled needs and desires we all have, but that wealthy people try to fill up with the right tile for the bathroom and a new addition to the guest house. Murphy very cleverly shows that, once the basic human needs of food, shelter and clothing are met, if the more basic human need for love goes unfulfilled, no amount of expensive food, shelter or clothing is going to fill that aching void.

A very exciting first novel. I can't wait for more. show less

If I were to give a one word review of Confessions of a Contractor, that one word would be: Pleasure. Henry is a likable narrator, and Murphy writes him with a self-deprecating humor that most of us can appreciate. Confessions is more than the sexual romp it appears to be in the first few paragraphs, it is much deeper -but still fun! It’s no Oprah book. It’s a story of a man trying to do right by his standards, bumbling it often, but still getting up and trying again, and it is a story show more of friendships. It’s about the sometimes misguided things do to help their friends, like threaten your friend’s fiance’ with a salad fork and promise to be his worst nightmare if he hurts your friend, or like taking a cordless drill and saw and going after the self-important ass who causes your friends and their families a great deal of grief and trouble.

Click for full review: http://thekoolaidmom.wordpress.com/2008/08/31/confessions-of-a-contractor-by-ric... show less