I am reviewing the first chapter of
On Top of the World by award-winning author David Lamb during his virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.
BLURB: FROM THE FUNNY AND NATURALLY BRILLIANT DAVID LAMB, award-winning playwright of the New York Times celebrated play, Platanos Y Collard Greens, comes a modern spin on Dickens’ classic tale that perfectly combines humor and romance in a story re-imagined for our digital, consumerist age. This version of Scrooge and Belle is familiar, yet unlike any you’ve come across before. Scrooge, or rather Scrooje, is music’s biggest superstar, with one hundred million albums sold, fifteen million devoted YouTube subscribers, two and a half million Facebook likes, and twenty-five million fanatical Twitter followers known as Scroojites. Belle, is a legal shark who gulps down her opposition voraciously and whose beauty and stunning figure causes traffic accidents as she zips through the sidewalks of Manhattan stylishly adorned and taking no prisoners. They never imagined being music’s most powerful couple, but that’s exactly what happened when Belle fell head over heels and gave the Coke-bottle glasses wearing, plaid and stripe attired, scrawny, biggest nerd on her college campus the ultimate makeover, turning him into a fashion impresario whose style sets trends from Milan to NY Fashion Week and who can be seen courtside at the NBA Finals sporting a perfectly-fitted cashmere suit. Then it happens. Belle realizes too late that she’s created a chart-topping monster as Scrooje’s ego explodes and he starts acting a fool. Now, it’s been three years since they've spoken. But tonight at Hollywood s biggest red carpet event, with the whole world watching, they’ll be given a second chance. Will Scrooje listen to the ghostly-advice of Marley, his best friend since the fourth grade, who at the time of his untimely drowning at his Brazilian poolside birthday bash was as big a star as Scrooje? Will Scrooje finally do right by his number one artist, Cratchit, a genius comedian, who Scrooje invariably rip offs every chance he gets? And with twenty-five million viewers tuned in will Scrooje finally shed his ego, jeopardize his image and declare his love for Belle, the one he betrayed and let slip away? Second chances don’t often come around. Will Belle even give him a chance? Mixing heart, soul, bling and romance in a fresh, original satire about race, class and celebrity worship Lamb establishes himself as one of the most talented and amazing writers today. And leaves no doubt that the Pacific Book Awards chose wisely when they selected On Top Of The World as the year’s Best Fiction.
COVER: What a great color scheme for this seasonal humorous tale. It fits in well with the main character and still hails back in time to the inspiration from Dickens.
FIRST CHAPTER: Scrooje narrates this story, bringing the reader from the present into his family's past, and shares his destiny.
KEEP READING: On first blush, I would say it's not my cup of tea. I'm looking to expand outside my comfort zone, though, so I would keep reading for a few more chapters. Scrooje is a fast talker, he's edgy. He's not afraid to say it like it is. Part of the challenge for me in this first chapter is that, though it's under 1300 words, there's a lot of information tossed at you right away before you even get to know Scrooje. It's probably Scrooje's style to toss everything at you like that. He admittedly has a warped ego. The last two paragraphs were strong and gave a glimpse into Scrooje you may not expect. Because I like exploring the psychology of characters--why they act the way they do--that ending is enough to encourage me to keep going.
Purchase Information:
File Size: 1498 KB
Print Length: 250 pages
Publisher: Woolly Mammoth Books (October 20, 2016)
Publication Date: October 20, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01IUFLP8W
I read the first chapter of this novel on the Pump Up Your Book website. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.
