Synopses & Reviews
Frank has been in a serious car accident and he's missing memories-of the people around him, of the history they share, and of how he came to be in the crash. All he remembers is that he is a lawyer who specializes in fine print.*
Everyone keeps telling Frank that he was fine before the accident, “just a bit overwhelmed,” but as he begins to reclaim his memories, they're at odds with what everyone is saying. His brother Oscar is intent on going into business with an inventively cruel corporation.** Alice, Frank's wife, has written a book called Executive X that makes Frank furious, though he isn't sure why. And to make matters even stranger, stored in a closet is a severed finger floating in an old mustard jar that makes him feel very, very proud.
As more memories flood in, Frank's tightly regulated life begins to unspool as he is forced to face up to the real terms*** and the condition of his life.**** Robert Glancy's debut novel is a shrewd and hilarious exploration of freedom and frustration, success and second chances, and whether it's worth living by the rules.
* Yes, exactly like this.
** We can't tell you what it's called for legal reasons, but believe us, it's evil.
*** Which are rarely in his favor.
**** Which is a total mess.
Review
"Frank sorts through the 'terms and conditions' of his life in agonizing, comic detail, mingling fantasy and reality . . . . The format (emails and obsessive footnotes) is entertaining, and the authors insights into the predatory aspects of human behavior are spot on." —New York Times
"A clever office send-up . . . . a remarkably fun read." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An original office comedy that dots all the Is and crosses all the Ts: Think a dash of Office Space, a pinch of Palahniuk and a glance at Regarding Henry." —Kirkus
"Carefully plotted, fresh and amusing . . . . Frank, himself, is wryly funny and likeable, so much so that when he eventually exacts his delightful and appropriate revenge you feel like cheering." —Midwest Book Review
"Delivered with a profusion of witty quips and tongue-in-cheek footnotes, Glancy's first novel is written with a wry humor that belies the poignant life lessons within." —Booklist
"Very funny . . . . the work wittily explores the little moments that add up to disappointment and regret . . . . VERDICT Highly recommended." —Library Journal, starred review
"Terms & Conditions, the first novel from promising author Robert Glancy, is a mystery tale unraveled through the frequent use of footnotes. While this may not seem like the pitch for an engrossing storyline, Glancys witty tone and keen insight into human nature help make this book not just readable but highly enjoyable." —BookPage
"A hilarious take on what happens when an expert in drafting the fine print loses his memory . . . . The fun is literally in the footnotes. They are ironic, insightful, and laugh-out-loud funny." —Washington Independent Review of Books
"An extravagant treat of an office novel, for fans of Memento and The Mezzanine. I loved it." —Ed Park, author of Personal Days
"Its wonderful. Funny, poignant, simple and profound—its the kind of book I absolutely love. And it has the best ending Ive read in a very long time." —Gavin Extence, author of The Universe Versus Alex Woods
"This great debut feels fresh and playful, and exceptionally readable (footnotes have never been so addictive). Every book seems to have ‘funny and life-affirming written on it but this one actually is." —Matt Haig, author of The Humans
Synopsis
A clever and caustic office comedy about a lawyer who drafts the fine print in contracts—the part no one reads—and his search for a more meaningful life.
Synopsis
“Original, very funny, and very poignant. Read it!” —Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
About the Author
Robert Glancy was born in Zambia and raised in Malawi. At fourteen he moved from Africa to Edinburgh and then went on to study history at Cambridge. He currently lives in New Zealand with his wife and children.