White Apples

This was my first Jonathan Carroll novel, but I can confidently say that it won't be my last.

Vincent Ettrich is a serial womaniser, advertising executive and also recently dead. Except now he's not. He's been brought back by the love of his life for the sake of their unborn son. A son he knew nothing about. But he can't remember being dead, or why or how he's been brought back. And there are forces at work who want to keep him from ever raising that child.

The scope of imagination on display here is mind boggling. Carroll juggles ideas about the afterlife, the meaning of life, what we are here for and how our actions affect others, while keeping what is at heart a love story moving along at a nice pace.

This is part thriller, part existential treatise, part philosophical tract....and if that sound off-putting, it shouldn't. This is a wonderful book, full of life love and above all ideas. It will make you think, which is no bad thing.

I shall now go and work my way through Mr. Carroll's back catalogue. My only regret is that I didn't discover this author earlier!

Very highly recommended.