The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life

2002

Named one of the Books of the Year 2002 by the Sunday Star-Times, Dominion Post, and NZ Herald

Imagine your ex-wife is a filmstar and her face is everywhere you look, your own production company is failing, and at the age of 42 you'’re living in London on handouts from your parents. But then a surprise invitation to a millionaire’'s birthday party on a remote Pacific island provides the opportunity to cause some mayhem of your own . . .

This first novel from the prizewinning author of Alpha Male is both moving and laugh-out-loud funny and has been raved about by both readers and critics.

Nomination for the 2003 Montanas, The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life has been published in the UK by Jonathan Cape and in early 2005 will be released in the US by Warner Books.

'Brandt's prose would be funny regardless of context, but it's his ability to create well-observed, complex and believable characters – characters you care about, even when you want to wring their necks – that makes him stand out. This is a dazzling piece of writing.' —David Larsen, NZ Herald

'a well-written, moving story which manages to be genuinely funny' —David Sovka, Otago Daily Times

'Brandt's sophisticated, stylish first novel would make a perfect present for curmudgeonly friends who decry New Zealand as dour, portentous and altogether too difficult.' —Margot Schwass, Dominion Post

'an outstanding, hilarious debut novel . . . the feel-good read of the year.' —Steve Scott, the Press