Gillis as only Gillis can: the politics of love, human action as theater, and the dreams we dream and chase forever. The Consequence of Skating, Gillis' fourth novel, blends politics, drama, ice skating, mountain climbing, the music industry and world affairs - not to mention artificial intelligence and G.O.D. - to create an inimitable tour de force. Centering on Mickey Greene, an actor who has fallen from grace, the novel follows Mick as he maneuvers through a series of adventures that set him on a course of reconstructing his life in a way he never before imagined.
"Steven Gillis possesses that rarest of gifts, the voice that seems to flow effortlessly. This guy makes it look easy. Read the first three pages of The Consequence of Skating, and if you're not hooked, go see a doctor."
—Jonathan Evison, author of All About Lulu and West of Here
Steven Gillis is the author of the novels Walter Falls (2003), The Weight of Nothing (2005), and Temporary People (2008). Steve's stories, articles and book reviews have appeared in over four dozen journals. A collection of Steve's stories—titled Giraffes—was published in February, 2007. A second collection of Steve's stories—titled The Principles of Landscape—will be published by Black Lawrence Press in 2011. A 3 year member of the Ann Arbor Book Festival Board of Directors, and a finalist for the 2007 Ann Arbor News Citizen of the Year, Steve taught writing at Eastern Michigan University and is the founder of 826michigan and the co-founder of Dzanc Books in partnership with Dan Wickett.
Dan_Wickett
Posted August 3, 2010
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Quick note up front--I'm a good friend of Steven, not to mention the guy in charge of Dzanc Books, which Black Lawrence Press is an imprint of--just so that's clear from the beginning. That said, I also will be the first to let a friend of mine know that what they've written isn't up to their standards.
This is not at all the case here. I'm old enough to still want to read books turning pages by hand, not a swipe of the thumb, and have a shorter attention span when I'm reading from my computer but I've read The Consequence of Skating from beginning to end seven times now, and five of those were while sitting at a kitchen table, scrolling through the pages with a mouse.
I liked Steven's earlier novels, and then loved his short story collection, and last novel, Temporary People. I loved Temporary People enough to worry when sitting down with The Consequences of Skating--I didn't think he'd be able to top that one and it's always tough telling an author they did a good job, but maybe not as good as a previously written book. I didn't have to do that--The Consequences of Skating is a great book.
To suggest the plot is thin or listless, and then go on to spend three or four sentences describing what sounds to be a fairly detailed plot (while only covering about 15% of the actual plot) is ridiculous. To take a shot at the copy editing of a book that was sent to the reviewer as a clearly marked Uncorrected Proof, even worse.
There's a reason I was able to read The Consequence of Skating five times on my computer screen--it's a great novel. The plot is rich, the characters deep and interesting, the wanderings from what seems to be the main storyline, not wanderings at all, but necessary side trips. It's a book that will keep you on your toes in all the best ways.
I think it would be perfect for book clubs as both the plot and the characters yield plenty to talk about, as do the consequences referred to in the title.
6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2010
A compelling meditation on media influence and social isolation, Gillis' fourth novel explores the struggle for redemption and acceptance in a world saturated by information. Ten months out of therapy for dope abuse, once-promising actor Mickey Greene works the off-season late shift at an amusement park in the small but prominent art town of Aldwich. A pop-conscious news junkie, Mick bides his time ice-skating while he obsesses over former girlfriend Darcie and dreams of producing Harold Pinter's play Moonlight, which he is convinced will resurrect his acting career. He soon befriends Cam, a 12-year-old ice-skater without parental constraint; begins dating a successful local singer; and keeps tabs on his mysterious friend Ted, who has turned a personalized porn program into a dangerous political forecaster known as G.O.D. As Mick establishes an improvised family to help him repair the mistakes of his past, he soon realizes that nothing can prepare him for his greatest challenge yet-success. Meticulous and provocative, Gillis' tale is a sure-footed display of the heart's ability to reclaim itself, one step at a time. --
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2012
I finished this book thinking maybe I'm just not smart enough to understand it. That is, until I realized Mick is basically just another addict jonesing for a self-destructive relationship who fills his own head with so much b.s. that he can't see it until it's too late. Textbook example of what happens when one goes it alone in recovery.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ivictory
Posted May 2, 2012
This is an example of what I always tell my book club is a non-book. No plot, no ending, nothing of real importance. It is simply a small slice of life. It took me one-third of the book to even get interested. There was too much time spent trying to impress the reader with how much the author knew about playrights, play scripts, and computer functions. Sorry, but this was definitely not one I would recommend.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.baba2
Posted April 28, 2012
Maybe for some people, but I could not relate to the protagonist or even find him remotely engaging. I gave up trying and did not finish the reading the book.
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Posted March 29, 2012
Wow amazing book so intersting I like.........................!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 1, 2013
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Posted March 29, 2012
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Overview
Gillis as only Gillis can: the politics of love, human action as theater, and the dreams we dream and chase forever. The Consequence of Skating, Gillis' fourth novel, blends politics, drama, ice skating, mountain climbing, the music industry and world affairs - not to mention artificial intelligence and G.O.D. - to create an inimitable tour de force. Centering on Mickey Greene, an actor who has fallen from grace, the novel follows Mick as he maneuvers through a series of adventures that set him on a course of ...