Midnight in a Perfect Life by Michael Collins

[Lindach]

 

 

I loved the last two Michael Collins' books that I read- Death of a Writer and the Keepers of Truth.Both drawing graphic images of life in Middle America and the desloation in small towns in the Midwest where industry has closed and jobs have gone and the future is bleak. I was disappointed this time as this novel did not have characters I could empathise with and I found the ending unsatifactory.
Set in Chicago, 'Midnight in a Perfect Life',tells the story of Karl, an author of two successful books who is struggling to find inspiration while suffering 'writer's block'.It is hard to like Karl and his wife Lori, who undergo unsuccessful IVF treatment. Karl's father comitted suicide after killing his mistress and his mother is fading away in a nursing home and these facts are having a strong influence on Karl's behaviour and relationships. It seems his life is one big mess. It is a dark book and shows a dark side of life that perhaps I could have done without reading about! Read his earlier books which I found fantastic.