46% Better Than Dave by Alastair Puddick
a book about huge barbecues, muddy shoes, and jealousy. The new neighbour down the street from Dave Brookman is wrecking his life. Because of a strange coincidence involving his name, age, and the town where he grew up, Dave Brookman. But there is one significant distinction. This new Dave has achieved much greater success in every regard. Dave’s idyllic life becomes a lot less perfect as he begins to doubt everything about himself. And what begins as friendly competition quickly develops into obsessional jealousy and irrational behaviour that could cause Dave to lose everything. Before it’s too late, can he get a handle on things?
46% Better Than Dave by Alastair Puddick
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The idea behind this novel is that a neighbour moves in with the same name, occupation, and other details. But it’s just a little better. Although you are competing with yourself, you are not the one doing it. discovering that you have more to contribute to life than what is around you. I have a lot of wonderful ideas for today. The book is extremely lovely. If I call it an “easy read,” it sounds like a straightforward novel, but it’s actually a very cosy, pleasant book. Despite my familiarity with the aesthetic, it yet feels new.
It’s like a reverse “It’s a Wonderful Life,” where the main character compares himself to the new neighbour and tries to outdo him, almost destroying himself in the process. It is a funny story, and as the main character’s antics get sillier and sillier, it is also a potent psychological exploration of the harm that jealousy causes to ourselves.
Dave Brookman enjoys his life. Everything a middle-class man could desire: a wonderful wife, two wonderful children, an approaching promotion at work, and a top-notch Meat Master 3000 grill. Then a brand-new neighbour begins living there. Dave Brookman is also his name. And he is living a lot better life. He has a brand-new Meat Master 4000, his wife is a former model, his kids seem almost flawless, and he runs his own business. The “original” Dave can’t stop thinking about how much superior the “new” Dave is to the “original” Dave in every regard.
