Answer As Man: A Novel of Creativity, Obsession, and Cancer

Answer As Man is a novel by Alex Garland that tells the story of Nathan Barley, a creative director for a television production company. Barley is a brilliant but troubled man who is obsessed with his work and his own mortality. The novel follows Barley as he struggles to come to terms with his cancer diagnosis and the impending end of his life.

Answer as a Man: A Novel

by Taylor Caldwell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4269 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	397 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Answer As Man is a powerful and moving story about the nature of creativity, obsession, and the human condition. Garland's writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are complex and believable. Barley is a flawed and often unlikable character, but he is also a deeply human one. He is a man who is driven by his passions, but who is also haunted by his fears. He is a man who is both brilliant and vulnerable, and his story is both tragic and inspiring.

Summary

Nathan Barley is a creative director for a television production company. He is a brilliant man, but he is also deeply insecure. He is constantly striving for perfection, and he is never satisfied with his work. Barley is also a workaholic, and he often neglects his personal relationships. He is married, but he and his wife are drifting apart. He has a daughter, but he is not a very good father to her.

One day, Barley is diagnosed with cancer. The news devastates him, but he refuses to let it get in the way of his work. He continues to work long hours, and he pushes himself to the limit. However, his cancer is slowly killing him, and he knows that he does not have much time left.

As Barley's health declines, he begins to reflect on his life. He realizes that he has spent too much time chasing success and not enough time living his life. He starts to make amends with his wife and daughter, and he tries to find meaning in his remaining days.

Answer As Man is a powerful and moving story about the nature of creativity, obsession, and the human condition. Garland's writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are complex and believable. Barley is a flawed and often unlikable character, but he is also a deeply human one. He is a man who is driven by his passions, but who is also haunted by his fears. He is a man who is both brilliant and vulnerable, and his story is both tragic and inspiring.

Characters

Nathan Barley is the main character of the novel. He is a creative director for a television production company. He is a brilliant man, but he is also deeply insecure. He is constantly striving for perfection, and he is never satisfied with his work. Barley is also a workaholic, and he often neglects his personal relationships. He is married, but he and his wife are drifting apart. He has a daughter, but he is not a very good father to her.

Sarah Barley is Nathan's wife. She is a successful businesswoman. She is intelligent and ambitious. She loves Nathan, but she is also frustrated by his obsession with his work. Sarah wants Nathan to be a better husband and father, but he is unable to change his ways.

Chloe Barley is Nathan and Sarah's daughter. She is a bright and curious girl. She loves her parents, but she is often neglected by them. Chloe wants Nathan to be a better father to her, but he is unable to change his ways.

Simon Ash is Nathan's best friend. He is a television producer. He is a kind and supportive friend, but he is also a realist. Simon knows that Nathan is a flawed man, but he loves him anyway. Simon tries to help Nathan come to terms with his cancer diagnosis, but Nathan is unable to accept his mortality.

Themes

Answer As Man explores a number of themes, including:

• The nature of creativity: Barley is a brilliant creative director, but he is also deeply insecure. He is constantly striving for perfection, and he is never satisfied with his work. Barley's obsession with creativity is ultimately destructive, as it leads him to neglect his personal relationships and his own health.
• The power of obsession: Barley is obsessed with his work, and he is also obsessed with his own mortality. His obsessions drive him to the point of self-destruction. Barley's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession.
• The human condition: Barley is a flawed and often unlikable character, but he is also a deeply human one. He is a man who is driven by his passions, but who is also haunted by his fears. He is a man who is both brilliant and vulnerable, and his story is both tragic and inspiring.

Critical Reception

Answer As Man received positive reviews from critics. The New York Times called the novel "a powerful and moving story about the nature of creativity, obsession, and the human condition." The Guardian called the novel "a brilliant and disturbing portrait of a man consumed by his own genius." The Los Angeles Times called the novel "a must-read for anyone interested in the creative process."

Answer As Man was shortlisted for the 2010 Booker Prize. It was also longlisted for the 2010 National Book Award for Fiction.

Answer As Man is a powerful and moving novel that explores the nature of creativity, obsession, and the human condition. Garland's writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are complex and believable. Barley is a flawed and often unlikable character, but he is also a deeply human one. He is a man who is driven by his passions, but who is also haunted by his fears. He is a man who is both brilliant and vulnerable, and his story is both tragic and inspiring.

Answer as a Man: A Novel

by Taylor Caldwell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4269 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	397 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE