Description
The Year of the Gherkin by John Dobson is a sharply witty, laugh-out-loud South African novel that captures the chaos, insecurities, and small triumphs of modern urban life. Meet Jason Brydon, a thirty-something everyman stuck in a job he detests, with a maxed-out credit card, a rapidly receding hairline, and a father who’s an Olympic-level drinker. Set against the backdrop of Cape Town’s middle-class social scene, Jason’s world is a patchwork of misguided resolutions, cringeworthy social blunders, and relentless self-delusion.
With New Year’s resolutions in hand — find a better job, lose nine kilograms, land a blonde girlfriend (low maintenance, of course), and hit 250 Facebook friends — Jason is convinced this will be his year. But as reality rudely intervenes, the odds are hilariously stacked against him. From battling his petty boss and dodging smug acquaintances to navigating disastrous dates and the tyranny of body corporates, Jason’s misadventures strike a perfect balance between satire and painfully recognisable truth.
The Year of the Gherkin is an ideal pick for readers who enjoy irreverent, character-driven comedies with a distinctly South African flavour. A smart, self-deprecating read for anyone who’s ever vowed to “get it together” — and failed spectacularly.
