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I must say I really have enjoyed reading David Nicholls, first with One Day, then A Question of Attraction, and now finishing up with The Understudy. They're all light reading-- no Tolstoy or Joyce here-- but if you're looking for a laugh and an entertaining diversion, you won't be disappointed.
In this novel he follows the life of actor Stephen C. McQueen (no, not that Steve McQueen), the understudy to movie heartthrob Josh Harper, who is doing a turn in a one-man play on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End. Stephen is literally waiting in the wings for his big break, weary of reprising the role of Sammy the Singing Squirrel to make ends meet, but the leading man is never ill, so Stephen never gets his chance to take center stage. His life off-stage is what really is the main interest here, and when it begins to intersect with his stage life things start to get interesting. Stephen makes a Faustian bargain with Josh Harper, which involves his American wife (whom Stephen fancies), having his chance to headline the show, and keeping secrets about Josh Harper's many romances.
Nicholls's characters are well-drawn and true-to-life, they're witty and interesting. The only place I think he stumbled was with the character of 7-year-old Sophie, Stephen's daughter, who spoke and acted like a sophisticated 16-year-old. Nevertheless, this is a funny and well-plotted novel. Another enjoyable read by Mr. Nicholls.
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