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Being Simon Haines
Librarian Note: This a previously-published edition of ISBN 13: 9781910453353.
Meet Simon Haines.
For a decade he's been chasing his dream: partnership at the legendary, family-run law firm of Fiennes & Plunkett. The grueling hours and manic intensity of his job have come close to breaking him, but he has made it through the years and is now within a whisker of his millions: in less than two weeks, he will know the outcome of the partnership vote. He decides to spend the wait in Cuba in an attempt to rediscover his youthful enthusiasm and curiosity, and to clear his mind before the arrival of the news that might change his life forever. But alone in Havana he becomes lost in nostalgia and begins to relive his past…
Set against the backdrop of an uncertain world, and charged with emotion, Being Simon Haines is a searching story about contemporary London and aspiration, values and love. Painting a picture of a generation of young professionals, it asks the most universal of questions: are we strong enough to know who we are?
Meet Simon Haines.
For a decade he's been chasing his dream: partnership at the legendary, family-run law firm of Fiennes & Plunkett. The grueling hours and manic intensity of his job have come close to breaking him, but he has made it through the years and is now within a whisker of his millions: in less than two weeks, he will know the outcome of the partnership vote. He decides to spend the wait in Cuba in an attempt to rediscover his youthful enthusiasm and curiosity, and to clear his mind before the arrival of the news that might change his life forever. But alone in Havana he becomes lost in nostalgia and begins to relive his past…
Set against the backdrop of an uncertain world, and charged with emotion, Being Simon Haines is a searching story about contemporary London and aspiration, values and love. Painting a picture of a generation of young professionals, it asks the most universal of questions: are we strong enough to know who we are?
356 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 16, 2017
Review can also be found at:
https://wordpress.com/posts/overthera...
Being Simon Haines is an interesting journey through a man’s life, the choices he makes and his quest to accept who he is.
Simon is a very interesting and complex character. I started off not liking him much as he came across as quite arrogant but as the book goes on and I learnt more about his life I grew to like him. He seemed a very realistic character as he makes quite a few mistakes in his life and a few wrong decisions. He also suffers from paranoia and often has to reassure himself that everything is OK. The internal struggle that I’d described in the book was very interesting to read about and often provided some rather comic moments. His boss at the London law firm he works at was another interesting character with someone unusual character traits such as whispering all the time and finding excuses not to go home all the time which were quite amusing!
I enjoyed reading about the different parts of his life but I especially liked the description of his trip to Havana as Cuba is a country I have always wanted to visit. It was fascinating to learn a little more about the country’s history, specifically what it was like under Castro. The author describes the ways in which the citizens survived and made money to live on when so much was outlawed. It was interesting to read about some of his experiences at university and some of the traditions and secret clubs there were there. It was nice to read a book where being clever was described as being cool and celebrated instead of being dismissed as geeky. His work at the London law firm was a bit of an eye opener as it’s hard to believe that people work like that and that it’s considered legal. Unfortunately I do know this to be true as my sister used to be a lawyer in London and had a similar experience. As the author used to be a lawyer himself I do wonder if this part was based on his own experiences.
This book does read like a memoir, like other reviewers have stated and the author manages to keep the readers interest with interesting antidotes, and humor. There were a few bits which, to me, were a little descriptive and I felt deviated from the plot a bit though this didn’t stop my overall enjoyment of this book.
I really liked the ending as it was lovely to see how much Simon had grown and the type of person he had developed into. There wasa part of the ending that I wish had ended differently but that would probably have made it too perfect and not so realistic.
This is Tom Vaughan MacAulay’s debut novel and i look forward to reading more from him. It reminded me a bit of Any Human Heart by William Boyd so if you liked that book I think you’ll probably like this one.
Thank you to Red Door Publishers for my copy of this book and the chance to be on the blog tour.
https://wordpress.com/posts/overthera...
Being Simon Haines is an interesting journey through a man’s life, the choices he makes and his quest to accept who he is.
Simon is a very interesting and complex character. I started off not liking him much as he came across as quite arrogant but as the book goes on and I learnt more about his life I grew to like him. He seemed a very realistic character as he makes quite a few mistakes in his life and a few wrong decisions. He also suffers from paranoia and often has to reassure himself that everything is OK. The internal struggle that I’d described in the book was very interesting to read about and often provided some rather comic moments. His boss at the London law firm he works at was another interesting character with someone unusual character traits such as whispering all the time and finding excuses not to go home all the time which were quite amusing!
I enjoyed reading about the different parts of his life but I especially liked the description of his trip to Havana as Cuba is a country I have always wanted to visit. It was fascinating to learn a little more about the country’s history, specifically what it was like under Castro. The author describes the ways in which the citizens survived and made money to live on when so much was outlawed. It was interesting to read about some of his experiences at university and some of the traditions and secret clubs there were there. It was nice to read a book where being clever was described as being cool and celebrated instead of being dismissed as geeky. His work at the London law firm was a bit of an eye opener as it’s hard to believe that people work like that and that it’s considered legal. Unfortunately I do know this to be true as my sister used to be a lawyer in London and had a similar experience. As the author used to be a lawyer himself I do wonder if this part was based on his own experiences.
This book does read like a memoir, like other reviewers have stated and the author manages to keep the readers interest with interesting antidotes, and humor. There were a few bits which, to me, were a little descriptive and I felt deviated from the plot a bit though this didn’t stop my overall enjoyment of this book.
I really liked the ending as it was lovely to see how much Simon had grown and the type of person he had developed into. There wasa part of the ending that I wish had ended differently but that would probably have made it too perfect and not so realistic.
This is Tom Vaughan MacAulay’s debut novel and i look forward to reading more from him. It reminded me a bit of Any Human Heart by William Boyd so if you liked that book I think you’ll probably like this one.
Thank you to Red Door Publishers for my copy of this book and the chance to be on the blog tour.
July 19, 2019
For a decade Simon Haines had been chasing his dream partnership at the legendary, family run law firm Fiennes & Plunkett. To me Simon Haines seemed like a work acholoic. He had billed over three thousand hours in the previous twelve months. He had spent three consecutive days and nights at his desk. Mr Simon Haines had been brought up not to love money, nor to resent money, nor even to actively disregard money, but instead and most naturally never to ascribe a value to it that went beyond what was commensurate with his needs.
My review is part of a blog tour for Being Simon Haines. I would like to thank RedDoor for my proof copy and inviting me to take part in the blog tour.
June 22, 2017
Simon Haines is someone that so many people can relate to – he is stressed out to the eyeballs, working far more hours in the day than he should be which is completely destructive to any relationships or friendships that he tries to have. As soon as I started reading this book, something resonated with me as I could relate to Simon, thankfully not to the same extreme. I could emphasise with his desire to do well but at the same time, not feeling quite good enough and the crippling effects of anxiety, the irrational nature of anxiety and its ability to just take over.
The long, unsociable hours that Simon has been working is in pursuit of a partnership within the prestigious law firm, Fiennes & Plunkett. However this has come at a cost, he has lost his long-suffering girlfriend who has had enough – there are only so many evenings she can spend on her own, wondering when (or if) Simon is coming home from work.
At the start of this book, Simon seems a bit blase as to what has happened and his contribution to the relationship breaking down but, with hindsight, I think this is just because he is physically and mentally exhausted by the pressure he, and his employers, are putting him under.
Simon is now on a cusp of a life changing moment, the vote as to whether he will be made partner, which either way will change his future. Interestingly, Simon decides to spend this wait in Cuba, alone, exploring the Cuban culture on an organised holiday – but all does not turn out as he expects and what ensues is Simon rediscovering himself and the person he is, not the person he has become.
I really liked the author’s writing style, it is very descriptive in his nature which can sometimes be a bit of a turn off for me, but it really works and makes this a brilliant read. It suits the premise of the book; Simon is a man is travelling alone, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures so if it wasn’t descriptive it just wouldn’t ring true. I really enjoyed the two sides of this book, firstly learning more about Simon, his past and how he ended up at Fiennes & Plunkett as well as learning about Cuba, it’s history and the feelings of its residents. Simon meets some great (and strange!) characters during his time in Cuba.
This book took me out of my comfort zone but I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written debut which will stay with me for some time. I look forward to more from Tom Vaughan MacAulay.
The long, unsociable hours that Simon has been working is in pursuit of a partnership within the prestigious law firm, Fiennes & Plunkett. However this has come at a cost, he has lost his long-suffering girlfriend who has had enough – there are only so many evenings she can spend on her own, wondering when (or if) Simon is coming home from work.
At the start of this book, Simon seems a bit blase as to what has happened and his contribution to the relationship breaking down but, with hindsight, I think this is just because he is physically and mentally exhausted by the pressure he, and his employers, are putting him under.
Simon is now on a cusp of a life changing moment, the vote as to whether he will be made partner, which either way will change his future. Interestingly, Simon decides to spend this wait in Cuba, alone, exploring the Cuban culture on an organised holiday – but all does not turn out as he expects and what ensues is Simon rediscovering himself and the person he is, not the person he has become.
I really liked the author’s writing style, it is very descriptive in his nature which can sometimes be a bit of a turn off for me, but it really works and makes this a brilliant read. It suits the premise of the book; Simon is a man is travelling alone, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures so if it wasn’t descriptive it just wouldn’t ring true. I really enjoyed the two sides of this book, firstly learning more about Simon, his past and how he ended up at Fiennes & Plunkett as well as learning about Cuba, it’s history and the feelings of its residents. Simon meets some great (and strange!) characters during his time in Cuba.
This book took me out of my comfort zone but I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written debut which will stay with me for some time. I look forward to more from Tom Vaughan MacAulay.
October 7, 2017
It's a book about raw ambition, aspiration, going beyond oneself to achieve that, to achieve that at any cost and resultant conflicts, sacrifice/compromise on personal life, love, family and getting shattered when anything goes wrong. It's the story of many of present day professionals, whom we see around us and amaze at the hours they put in, the way they lead their life, which is so different from the generation before.
Simon Haines, the protagonist is an associate in a law firm, in the race of becoming a partner after eight years of consistent hard work inching towards his goal. He reminisces, when, just before the decision about the partnership is to be arrived at, he and his competitors are sent away and he goes to Cuba. Moving between his past and present, the narrative keeps you captivated. The author himself is a lawyer and has had the first hand knowledge the life, the intrigues and the pressures and he brings small nuances and constructs the characters beautifully.
Simon Haines can be in any country, in any profession, the story would still remain true to various extents. The languages, the scenarios, the circumstances might change some but the story of the Simon Haines's of the present generation of professionals will be strikingly similar.
Very readable.
Simon Haines, the protagonist is an associate in a law firm, in the race of becoming a partner after eight years of consistent hard work inching towards his goal. He reminisces, when, just before the decision about the partnership is to be arrived at, he and his competitors are sent away and he goes to Cuba. Moving between his past and present, the narrative keeps you captivated. The author himself is a lawyer and has had the first hand knowledge the life, the intrigues and the pressures and he brings small nuances and constructs the characters beautifully.
Simon Haines can be in any country, in any profession, the story would still remain true to various extents. The languages, the scenarios, the circumstances might change some but the story of the Simon Haines's of the present generation of professionals will be strikingly similar.
Very readable.
June 2, 2017
Simon Haines used to love studying and languages were his primary interest when he was still at university. However, he's also loved the idea of a big salary for many years and is striving to make millions as a partner of Fiennes & Plunkett, a prestigious law firm in London. The battle to be the chosen one at the firm has finally come to an end and Simon travels to Havana to rest and wait until he'll receive the phone call he's been waiting for for years. In Havana Simon finally has the time to think about what working for the firm actually means, what he's given up to reach his ultimate goal and if it was worth it to fight for the partnership. Is it a good idea for Simon to be alone in a country he doesn't know very well and will he get the news he's so desperately hoping for or have his efforts all been in vain?
Being Simon Haines is an impressive story. It reads like a memoir, especially in the beginning it felt like I was reading a non-fiction book, which is something I really loved. Simon works, drinks, works some more and then he drinks again and works. He hardly ever sleeps, only when he can't go without it any longer. He's never home and he's spending more hours in the office than anywhere else. He doesn't spend time with his girlfriend, friends and family. He just works. He's extremely intelligent and I could understand his drive to reach the top, but I also felt pity for him because of everything he's missing out on and is giving up for the sake of his career and millions on his bank account. Is money the most important thing there is in life and is work actually more important than spending time with your loved ones? It's something Simon needs to figure out and being in Havana gives him plenty of time to think. Tom Vaughan MacAulay skillfully describes Simon's journey. His past, thoughts and feelings are complex and multilayered, which made his story incredibly interesting for me.
Simon Haines doesn't think about the process, he's focused on the result. He does everything he can to reach his goals. This determination could be admirable, but in this case it's going far. I felt sad for him at times, was fascinated by his story and enjoyed reading about his colleagues, the way the law firm works and the challenges he has to face. His story captivated me from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The ending is surprising and very fitting. Tom Vaughan MacAulay's descriptions of the law firm itself, Simon's character, his university years, his relationships and the defining moments of his life are vivid, spot-on and very well thought through. The story is thought-provoking and intriguing. I absolutely loved this original and special book and highly recommend it.
Being Simon Haines is an impressive story. It reads like a memoir, especially in the beginning it felt like I was reading a non-fiction book, which is something I really loved. Simon works, drinks, works some more and then he drinks again and works. He hardly ever sleeps, only when he can't go without it any longer. He's never home and he's spending more hours in the office than anywhere else. He doesn't spend time with his girlfriend, friends and family. He just works. He's extremely intelligent and I could understand his drive to reach the top, but I also felt pity for him because of everything he's missing out on and is giving up for the sake of his career and millions on his bank account. Is money the most important thing there is in life and is work actually more important than spending time with your loved ones? It's something Simon needs to figure out and being in Havana gives him plenty of time to think. Tom Vaughan MacAulay skillfully describes Simon's journey. His past, thoughts and feelings are complex and multilayered, which made his story incredibly interesting for me.
Simon Haines doesn't think about the process, he's focused on the result. He does everything he can to reach his goals. This determination could be admirable, but in this case it's going far. I felt sad for him at times, was fascinated by his story and enjoyed reading about his colleagues, the way the law firm works and the challenges he has to face. His story captivated me from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The ending is surprising and very fitting. Tom Vaughan MacAulay's descriptions of the law firm itself, Simon's character, his university years, his relationships and the defining moments of his life are vivid, spot-on and very well thought through. The story is thought-provoking and intriguing. I absolutely loved this original and special book and highly recommend it.
September 25, 2018
Being Simon Haines was very kindly provided to me by Red Door Publishing who were aware of my recent decision to leave life as a solicitor behind and I approached it wondering what parallels would be drawn.
After working for a decade to attain partnership at the esteemed city law firm Fiennes and Plunkett Simon Haines takes a well earned break to Havana to reflect on his life choices both professionally and personally.
I was immediately familiar with the legal office setting although thankfully I never had to face whispering Rupert Plunkett the partner extraordinaire. Vaughan MacAulay clearly knew his stuff which I appreciated although I do question how much a legal outsider would absorb. There is plenty for the non legal professional however and anyone who has worked in an office, had a slave driver for a boss or just generally questioned their work life balance will take something from it.
I thought initially there would be more about Havana Simon's holiday destination and whilst there were one or two solid Cuban chapters (providing a smattering of humour), I was surprised how quickly the holiday passed. My favourite parts however were the flashbacks, especially to Simon's life at university where he first met best friend Dan and girlfriend Sophie. From the outside, good looking, rich Dan was a character easy to hate however he was probably my favourite character in the book. Whereas I liked Dan I struggled to like Simon as I found him so self centred. Driven by self doubt and a consuming desire not to fail he became increasingly isolated as the book progressed and I found myself despairing at his actions.
I genuinely had no idea as to how the book would pan out. I presumed each chapter would be some sort of self contained story from which Simon would take 'learnings' yet that's not how it panned out and I still didn't know how the book was going to end right up to the very last chapter.
I thought the ending sad, overwhelmingly sad, but equally applaud Vaughan MacAulay for being brave and not "Hollywood-ing" it.
If you have been in work hell you should read this and reflect on Simon's choices. It will certainly make you think. Lawyers out there will also enjoy the office setting and no doubt recognise a colleague, client or deal or two along the way. Thank you Red Door Publishing, a very timely read!
After working for a decade to attain partnership at the esteemed city law firm Fiennes and Plunkett Simon Haines takes a well earned break to Havana to reflect on his life choices both professionally and personally.
I was immediately familiar with the legal office setting although thankfully I never had to face whispering Rupert Plunkett the partner extraordinaire. Vaughan MacAulay clearly knew his stuff which I appreciated although I do question how much a legal outsider would absorb. There is plenty for the non legal professional however and anyone who has worked in an office, had a slave driver for a boss or just generally questioned their work life balance will take something from it.
I thought initially there would be more about Havana Simon's holiday destination and whilst there were one or two solid Cuban chapters (providing a smattering of humour), I was surprised how quickly the holiday passed. My favourite parts however were the flashbacks, especially to Simon's life at university where he first met best friend Dan and girlfriend Sophie. From the outside, good looking, rich Dan was a character easy to hate however he was probably my favourite character in the book. Whereas I liked Dan I struggled to like Simon as I found him so self centred. Driven by self doubt and a consuming desire not to fail he became increasingly isolated as the book progressed and I found myself despairing at his actions.
I genuinely had no idea as to how the book would pan out. I presumed each chapter would be some sort of self contained story from which Simon would take 'learnings' yet that's not how it panned out and I still didn't know how the book was going to end right up to the very last chapter.
I thought the ending sad, overwhelmingly sad, but equally applaud Vaughan MacAulay for being brave and not "Hollywood-ing" it.
If you have been in work hell you should read this and reflect on Simon's choices. It will certainly make you think. Lawyers out there will also enjoy the office setting and no doubt recognise a colleague, client or deal or two along the way. Thank you Red Door Publishing, a very timely read!
June 22, 2017
I am sure that I speak for many that when we were young we all had dreams about what we wanted in our careers and then tried to aspire to achieve them. Meet Simon Haines is just that sort of a guy. Tom Vaughan MacAulay’s debut novel is about chasing his very own dream.
For Simon Haines his dream is that partnership at the prestigious law firm Fiennes & Plunkett for these past year Simon has put in blood sweat and tears not to mention the gruelling long hours, lost weekend to achieve his ambition. Within a matter of just a few weeks or so he will know if his dream and the rewards that go with it will be his. It is part of his DNA he wants this more than anything and he believes it is his reward for the sacrifices he has made over the years on relationships and friends that have come and gone. Now it is this close and he wants it so badly.
Now Simon heads of to Cuba for a break by himself before he finds out if his dream that will change his life has come true. There he spends time on this break alone touring Cuba and while there he discovers something else and that is his old former self, the old Simon Haines not the current driven and determined Mr Haines. Is this an epiphany moment? During this time, he meets some interesting people not to mention the culture of Cuba.
This is book that does not really read like a novel it comes across as something different, something more personal as we discover Simon from his early days. A story set against a backdrop of a world that seems be changing by the hour and along with it the people. Dream and aspirations and what makes us who we are. A captivating debut and what that left me asking a few questions. Thought provoking. I really enjoyed Tom’s style of writing and how he made the story read like a memoir.
Thank you to Red Door for the advanced review copy of Being Simon Haines
For Simon Haines his dream is that partnership at the prestigious law firm Fiennes & Plunkett for these past year Simon has put in blood sweat and tears not to mention the gruelling long hours, lost weekend to achieve his ambition. Within a matter of just a few weeks or so he will know if his dream and the rewards that go with it will be his. It is part of his DNA he wants this more than anything and he believes it is his reward for the sacrifices he has made over the years on relationships and friends that have come and gone. Now it is this close and he wants it so badly.
Now Simon heads of to Cuba for a break by himself before he finds out if his dream that will change his life has come true. There he spends time on this break alone touring Cuba and while there he discovers something else and that is his old former self, the old Simon Haines not the current driven and determined Mr Haines. Is this an epiphany moment? During this time, he meets some interesting people not to mention the culture of Cuba.
This is book that does not really read like a novel it comes across as something different, something more personal as we discover Simon from his early days. A story set against a backdrop of a world that seems be changing by the hour and along with it the people. Dream and aspirations and what makes us who we are. A captivating debut and what that left me asking a few questions. Thought provoking. I really enjoyed Tom’s style of writing and how he made the story read like a memoir.
Thank you to Red Door for the advanced review copy of Being Simon Haines
March 27, 2018
This book falls far outside of what I'd consider my 'typical' read. I tend to be into romances/dramas, and at first I feared this would be a bit blokeish for me. Actually, there's plenty of drama, and a bit of romance too.
This debut novel follows a young man called Simon that almost all of us ambitious folk can relate to. He's striving for partnership in a law firm, but the climb is proving vertical. He's stressed out of his eyeballs, smoking too much, drinking so much it made me feel queasy at points during the book, neglecting his home life and his poor girlfriend, and generally being a bit of an a** at times.
Yet, the thing that's quite interesting about this book is you never (or I never) quite formed a solid 'I like him'/'I don't like' him opinion on Simon, nor other characters in the book actually. Simon's girlfriend is much the same: at times she's naggy, at other times you really will her to leave Simon. I liked the fluidity of the characters; there was no pantomime baddy or goody, just real, relatable, multi-faceted people that you were interested in following and learning more about.
For people who work in law or other professional occupations, these characters are totally relatable and believable. Just walk down the City of London at lunchtime and you'll see the smarmy suited and booted types, half-way to drunk at 1pm. Seeing inside one of their psyches will make you feel more sorry for them.
This debut novel follows a young man called Simon that almost all of us ambitious folk can relate to. He's striving for partnership in a law firm, but the climb is proving vertical. He's stressed out of his eyeballs, smoking too much, drinking so much it made me feel queasy at points during the book, neglecting his home life and his poor girlfriend, and generally being a bit of an a** at times.
Yet, the thing that's quite interesting about this book is you never (or I never) quite formed a solid 'I like him'/'I don't like' him opinion on Simon, nor other characters in the book actually. Simon's girlfriend is much the same: at times she's naggy, at other times you really will her to leave Simon. I liked the fluidity of the characters; there was no pantomime baddy or goody, just real, relatable, multi-faceted people that you were interested in following and learning more about.
For people who work in law or other professional occupations, these characters are totally relatable and believable. Just walk down the City of London at lunchtime and you'll see the smarmy suited and booted types, half-way to drunk at 1pm. Seeing inside one of their psyches will make you feel more sorry for them.
June 14, 2017
As the ofiicial blurb says, Being Simon Haines paints a portrait of a generation of lost young professionals, and asks the biggest question of all: even if we find out what makes us happy, are we strong enough to choose it? It's an introspective, meandering voyage of self discovery that gives interesting insight into life at the top of the career ladder and what it takes (and costs) to achieve such dizzying heights of success. I found it to be a bit long and wordy at times, with some of the minor characters, particularly those met in Cuba, rather irrelevant and superfluous, but I was still rooting for Simon to get what he wanted right up until the end. Now that I've turned the final page, I'm still not entirely sure if he got his happy ending or not though.
full review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...
full review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...
September 26, 2017
Being Simon Haines is a wonderfully written first novel. Coming from a medical background, where one chooses their career path at the age of 17, it is inevitable that the question "Did I make the correct choice?" pops up after a particularly gruelling and difficult day. This is what this book explores, through its flowing prose and fascinating characters. In short, this is simply a well written book. It doesn't need ridiculous plot twists and cheap drama to captivate the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found myself relating in many ways to the protagonist. I urge any young city professional to read it!
June 8, 2017
A brilliant story that I think captures the youthful enthusiasm of every young person who's found themselves in the deep end of life. Although not my preferred genre, this book is beautifully written and really keys in on all of the common thoughts, problems, habits, pressures and worries of those aspiring to make it in the big city. Being Simon Haines is a wonderfully refreshing story and Tom MacAulay has really hit the nail on the head with this one!
July 20, 2017
Great first book! Amazing character development. I really felt what it was like to be in Simon's shoes. Looking forward to more from this promising young author!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews