Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022--San Antonio

Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer is the second of two books in a series.  I read the first book (entitled Less) two years ago because it won the Pulitzer Prize, but I wasn't impressed for reasons that can be read here.   This second book got great reviews and since it was available for the Kindle through the library, I decided to read it, too.  I am happy to report that for me this second book is much better than the first.  It picks up 15 years after the breakup with his older poet lover when his former lover has died, when Less is having money problems but seems to have some new opportunities, but also when his relationship with Freddy (his new lover) through all these years may be running into trouble.  Less and Freddy have continued to live for free in his old lover's cottage in San Francisco, but upon his death, back rent is due.  Plus Freddy has taken a job a a college in Maine for a year, so they are living apart.  This new book covers the adventures and learning experiences that are a part of each of their lives.  Freddy, also a writer, leaves his job to go to a small island to write and to think through what he wants out of his life.  Less is traveling across the country in an old van to provide introductions for another better-known author who is apparently nearing the end of his life and insists on some detours.  Then Less continues after that tour with a theater company that is presenting one of his minor works on a theater tour based on an entire reading of the chosen story on stage with minimal props.  This tour involves Less having to return to the South where he grew up with great fear and anxiety due to being gay, provides him some insight on how audiences seem to appreciate his story, and gives him an opportunity to try to reconcile with his father who abandoned the family when Less was young.  It's not necessary to read the first book before reading this one and, as I said above, this is a better book in my opinion.  I gave it 4 1/2 stars out of 5.