Under the Same Stars

by Tim Lott

It is late summer 2008 and, as the world economy goes into meltdown, forty-year-old Salinger Nash, plagued since adolescence by a mercurial depression, leaves the London house he shares with his girlfriend, Tiane, for his older brother's home in the Garden District of New Orleans. Carson Nash has persuaded Salinger that they should find their missing father, Henry- last known location Las Cruces, New Mexico. But it is with a sense of foreboding that Salinger sets off with his brother. Painfully aware that their own relationship is distant and strained, will dragging up the past and confronting their father going to help or harm them? Meanwhile back in London, Tiane isn't answering Salinger's increasingly urgent messages. Why? Tender, funny, unflinching, this is a road trip story in the great American literary tradition and an exploration of sibling rivalry that harks back to Cain and Abel. A vivid glimpse of a Britain's 'brother country' through the eyes of a skeptical outsider, a profound exploration of fraternal love and a gripping journey of the soul.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Tim Lott is the author of seven novels and a memoir, The Scent of Dried Roses, which won the PEN/J.R. Ackerley Prize. White City Blue won the Whitbread First Novel Award and his young adult book Fearless was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Book Award. Tim lives with his family in north-west London.

Reviews

[Bookkaholic Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

(See our full review over at Bookkaholic.) I warmed to this story of two English brothers and their journey to find their estranged father in America, even though Lott lacks subtlety in his portrayal of Americans – I can hardly think of a single American character who isn’t horrible or fake – and the Cain and Abel parallel would have been better left as a quiet undertone rather than an explicitly detailed connection. A revival of the literary road trip.

[Hugo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole book, which was well written and almost always engaging, seemed to leading up to some sort of grand revelation. However, there wasn't one.

[Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few books that have impressed me, made me laugh, and got me utterly hooked in under eight pages. Almost brutally convincing in his observation and inner monologue, Tim Lott opens with a playful yet arresting portrait of depressive Salinger and his somewhat detached relationships with his partner, father and brother.

Their father Henry is dying somewhere on the American continent, and his long-term partner and inveigling ‘stepmother’ has secretly written to Salinger’s brother, the cheerful God-fearing Carson, to let them know. Although Carson showed mysterious detachment to the death of their mother, turning up in England for the funeral for only two hours, he insists Salinger fly to America to find their father and say goodbye, despite only a vague clue as to their last-known whereabouts.

Shelving misgivings and mysterious pleas to stay in UK from partner Tiane, Salinger boards a plane to America and embarks on a road trip across Texas with a brother who represents his very antithesis. Carson is tinged with patriarchal idolatry, while conversely Salinger is embittered towards his father after taking solitary care of their abandoned mother in her sickly late years.

It would be unfair to paint this as any normal ‘finding oneself’ story, though it could easily have been a clichéd road trip revelation. This is more about brothers learning to respect each other for whom they are, and about the subdued reality that sometimes awaits when you open a can of worms. Under the Same Stars is not peppered with happy endings, poignant one-liners, and emotional goodbyes, instead it is realistic, dyspeptic dialogue and fantastic observation of familial life and common history.

Although perhaps Lott meant to pave the way toward one ultimate revelation, it is not the disclosure that ties the book in a neat little package, but the journey that weaves itself into a finely presented gift. Other works by Lott are similarly graced with praise for interior monologue, ‘so personal, so particular and near the bone and yet which is so utterly without self-regard', particularly with respect to a profoundly personal subject, depression. I for one will be seeking out Lott’s past and future works with furtive appetite for his insight and absorbing elucidation.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two estranged brothers take a road trip to find their even more estranged father. I wanted to read this after having heard Tim Lott reading from and talking about it at Latitude festival. It would appear to be quite heavily drawn from his own life - estranged from his brother who lives in America, they went on a road trip across America and the main characters share at least some of their characteristics.
Set in 2008 against the current events of the time - Katrina, elections, economy, his rather sceptical view of America mirrors the prickly awkward relationship with his brother. Looks at different ways to get through/get the most out of life; psychological analysis (how childhood/family affects you) v not delving or religion, commitment/responsibility v freedom etc. An interesting and good read, though ended a little weakly.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book enormously, coming to it without any great expectations. It is a tale of two brothers in search of their father and comes in the oft used form of the road trip around the USA. A lot of the book is about memory, and I sometimes found it odd what one or other of them did not recall of their early life, and I wondered about the difference between "who at I want to remember" and the truth. Perhaps obviously I empathised with the still British brother, perhaps because his sibling was slightly caricatured (as were many of the American characters. It made me laugh as well as think and I thought the many musical references spot on. I will follow up on Tim Lott.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falls somewhere between the high culture of the Cain & Abel story (via both Genesis and Steinbeck’s East of Eden) and the low culture of a buddy road trip flick. Despite a cheesy title and occasionally facile observations about modern America, it’s a strong psychological portrait of two brothers and their estranged father. (See my full review at Bookkaholic.)

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished ! I really like Tim Lott !!

[Tony Lawrence]

I have read this out of order, this is my last, not his, although all TL’s books are stand-alone (except White City Blue/When We Were Rich*). As with most of his books it builds a strong character-led story around contempoary events, in this case the 2008 crash and Barack Obama election. But that is an aside, this is an unapologetic road book and redemption story. Estranged brothers Salinger and Carson Nash are on a trip to see their – even more estranged – sick father, travelling from New Orleans to Texas. As the boys explore and rebuild their relationship and mutual history there are sub-plots about a photo (no spoilers), their wives/partners, and the circumstances of their father absconding to live in America. We also get lovely little comic-tragic snippets from the trip; the Indian healer in the teepee, the loss of the car, dead dog, and US-UK cultural interplay are highlights. This is a great book, what an assured writer Lott is … now to move on to his 2 YA novels!

*and a 3rd 'Now We Are Forgiven'

[Paul Mamani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salinger and Carson, have totally different personalities. Their father abandoned them when they were young, to emigrate to the States with his new girlfriend. They both carry the same wound but deal with it in different ways. Carson follows his father to America where he too gets married. He becomes estranged from Salinger who stays in Britain, carving a life for himself in art.

The father however, is having nothing of either son. He has chosen a totally selfish way of living, albeit honest and without hypocrisy. When he falls terminally ill, he does not contact his sons for comfort and solace, it is his wife who contacts them and tells them the news. Salinger has been resentful of his upbringing and is now chronically depressed. When the letter comes he has no intention of going to States to find his father, let alone re-open relationships with his brother. And it is his girlfriend who persuades him.

[Amber Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this hear to read and I think it was hard because 1) I had just finished my English Literature mock exam so all that was running through my head was how to analyse texts so, when I was reading it all I could do is analyse 2)because I was just getting out of a book hangover and 3) after reading 3 books for my English Lit exam I wasn't ready to read.

[Claire W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from the slightly wierd American people depictions, I really enjoyed this book. No laugh out load moments, but the story carried me swiftly on and I feel impacted by the story. I shall be seeking more of Tim Lott's books.

[Jimbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of the characters is appealing, so I didn't care what happened to them.
Oh and - isn't it years and years since British passports included your profession?

[Joceline Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

is a book that reaches your heart, a story different from the others.

[Maria Hegarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and loved the ending. It got a little too philosophical for my tastes at times but I found the story very moving and will buy more of Tim Lott's work.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Tim Lott novel, always enjoy his writing

[Sylvie Chartrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that book. I can't say that it made me laugh out loud, but I found the relationship between these two brothers very believable. The dialogues are very well written. One thing bothered me though. I'm not sure I bought how Southern people are depicted. A little too caricatural for me. But I went on anyway because I enjoyed the story.

[Rose Burbos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read and eventually before the Story ends I realize all the mystery of Carson. I believe that Salinger Plays to be true to himself and that helps him find out what will give meaning to his life.

[Azmylle · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's quite a weird book. Not really what I'm expecting it to be. Tbh I was drawn to be the book mainly due to its very pretty cover. Guess this is a wrong book for me to read despite the pretty cover. Ok move on to the next book.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable - manages to be both funny and moving. Some great 'travelogue' descriptions and lots of references to American literature and rock music - would like to see a playlist.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burnt through this - after picking it up from our culture editor. Really enjoyed it - spiky and smothered masculine familial relations.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't get very far in this, I Picked it up because I enjoyed Fearless but this is completely different not quite my cup of tea.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Fairly enjoyable read about the strained relationship between two brothers who are tracking down their estranged father.

Quite thought provoking, however not as riveting as I had hoped.

[Scott Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a patch on his other books, but vaguely diverting.

[Sue Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wit h no brothers or sons of my own this was foreign territory for me. So that's what they get up to!

[Rivka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant.

[Mair Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, intriguing road trip novel. Glad I have discovered Tim Lott, will keep an eye out for more from him!

[Lindsay Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know what to make of this book at first but i did actually enjoy it. It started off quite slow but turned out to be a story that kept me intrigued

[JenniferB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes road trip in USA, including Las Cruces. Not really my type of book, but some good points

[Abi]

interesting book. worth a read.