Poles Apart

Freelance writer Everett Kane has been sent to Florida to supervise his dad's rehab from a recent stroke. His mum, a CEO of a major real estate corporation, is bankrolling the trip, which softens the blow a bit -- Dad is not the easiest of people to get along with. At the rehab facility, Everett meets a feminist hero of his, Beverley Tanner, and is inspired to create an anonymous blog about feminist issues. Anonymous, because he feels that being a man writing about women's issues would detract from his message. Then the blog becomes wildly popular, and the race is on to unmask the (wo)man behind the writing.

This was an enjoyably fast-paced and light book. I found some of the parents' dialogue a bit unrealistic, or at least sounding too show more similar to Everett's, and I was able to predict a couple of plot points, but this was not supposed to be a mystery novel so I don't necessarily hold predictability against it. One thing I especially liked was the fact that the blog's posts were never reproduced in the book. The essence and objective were described, giving the reader an opportunity to imagine what they would be like rather than showing them a post and having them possibly think "Ugh, THAT's what the Internet in the book is freaking out about?" This technique of describing writing without showing it reminds me of Walter Blythe's poem "The Piper" in the later Anne of Green Gables novels.

The book ends with some facts about women in the world and women in Canada, showing where we can do better to promote gender equality. We have a long way to go, and I think a blog like Everett's would certainly not go amiss. show less

Poles Apart is the fifth novel from best-selling and award winning author Terry Fallis.

Blogs are de rigueur reading nowadays. I must admit I read and follow many, many blogs on widely varying topics. (And thank you you're reading this one!) Some bloggers share personal details, but others choose to remain anonymous. Such is the case with the blog that is at the center of the plot in Poles Apart.

Eve of Equality is a new feminist blog that becomes an overnight success when it posts a story on the owner of a chain of 'high-end' strip clubs that are opening up across the country. Why would the author not acknowledge their success? Television shows, radio hosts, newspaper articles and even a book deal await this feminist movement advocate! show more Well, the author happens to be a man named Everett Kane, who truly is an ardent feminist. But who will take a man's writing on feminism seriously?

As Everett attempts to keep his identity private, there are others just as determined to find out who he is. Everett's location choice for his new apartment is a great comedic plot device. It also brings in a great cast of supporting players and a romantic possiblity. Everett is in Florida to help his father recover from a stroke. Dad is a unique personality with some good lines, as is the recuperating feminist pioneer also in residence at the home.

The dialogue is great fun, witty and smart and the characters are all a little left of centre - you can't help but mentally cheer for them. The plotting is somewhat telegraphed but is great fun. But mixed within this comic tale are many grains of truth. Everett's blog posts, musings and beliefs can all be read and taken quite seriously as they contain many valid points.

Poles Apart is another witty, charming read from Terry Fallis, again underscoring whey he has earned the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour more than once. Although No Relation remains my favourite Fallis book, I quite enjoyed Poles Apart. show less

2.5 stars. Tempted to put this on my chick lit shelf: it had that kind of light-weight writing, but wasn't as much fun. I didn't find it particularly humourous & the main character's relentless attempts at being witty got tiresome. Also I found the whole premise kind of irritating, feministly speaking. However, the plot kept me going enough to finish the book.

2.5 stars. Tempted to put this on my chick lit shelf: it had that kind of light-weight writing, but wasn't as much fun. I didn't find it particularly humourous & the main character's relentless attempts at being witty got tiresome. Also I found the whole premise kind of irritating, feministly speaking. However, the plot kept me going enough to finish the book.

yep. this book was just okay.

i have now read four of fallis' five books. and while i have been entertained at times, there are some things about his style that just don't work for me - which were more evident to me in this book and 2014's No Relation.

generally, his books are great if you are in the mood for something light and fun. but when you get into specifics for each book, you might hit some problems. some of the issues i struggle with in fallis' books are: repetition; product placement (naming brand names); simplistic; predictability; way too much 'telling'.

in poles apart i wasn't quite as taken with the characters as i have been in his previous books, though i quite liked the secondary character of beverly tanner and would have show more loved more from her. the characters seemed a bit flat, and things felt a bit too flip.

so, overall, i didn't like this one too much - though beverly tanner salvaged things for me somewhat. show less

Amusing diversion, but only a couple of laugh-out-loud moments on my part.