Ezra Slef: The Next Nobel Laureate in Literature by Andrew Komarnyckyj is a wickedly smart novel.

I'm going to be honest, the synopsis didn't give me a good idea of how this book was going to go. The level of comedy and intelligent sarcasm in this book is through the roof. The introduction alone was smirk-worthy! We're welcomed into a world of biographical parody full of jest, irony and sarcasm galore. I'm highly impressed with this book, and it's a breath fresh air.

I do think this book will be a bit of a niche. Not everyone is going to like it. You have to get the humour and references packed within the book to really get a grasp on it. I don't know all of the references myself, but I could still appreciate the amount of work that went into it.

Having a lead character who's writing a biography about a man who's not being too helpful giving up his biographical information, and then also dealing with his own turmoil and writing career is an interesting take. We have the funny comments about not caring about what year they were born in, especially if it doesn't effect the story. The intriguing take on an author going after a reviewer for a negative review (which is really big in the online book world right now). The fear or allusions to writers putting all of their heart and soul into their work and either losing their loved ones due to lack of availability or losing our on a career due to someone not liking their work... And all the while, being a good story to boot!

The Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen references (which, honestly, if you aren't big into the book world kudos to you and we won't make fun of you - they are women that might accidentally be mistaken for one another since they are amazing writers from many years ago), the hilarious and wise footnotes, and the best quote of the whole book really make this story a gem."

"It is the mark of a true genius that he is able to employ so many words in the service of telling us nothing at all." Honestly, this felt like sentence I wanted to put in so many essays back in my post-secondary school days. Sometimes, the story doesn't tell you anything even when it's telling you something.

Overall, this is a wickedly wise and hilarious book. It's amusing, eye opening and fresh. I highly recommend this book if you want a splash of comedy with lots of drama and parody packed tight in it.

Four out of five stars.

I received the book for free from the author, Andrew Komarnyckyj, in exchange for an honest review. ( )