Television
Rothery’s book is funny, thinky and with a style all her own ... Not a lot happens in Television, but plenty is intuited, expressed and discussed. In a world where soundtracks increasingly stand in for sustained dialogue, and pure stupidity gets a million hits, this book has the rhythm of clever conversation, and casual erudition, remembered fondly from My Dinner With André. It’s a glamorous, intriguing novel with a sense of still being in progress: There’s little resolution, but a lot of promise.
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Rothery’s themes of wealth, power, friendship, and the soulessness of the entertainment industry — the publisher describes it as 'Bojack Horseman meets Joan Didion' which really does sound great — are surely of interest to many readers. But some may find its indirect, subtle, even sly approach to its subject gets in the way.
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There’s no cat to save. The needs and wants of these characters never materialize, and what is hinted at shifts and sways through the story. But neither Verity nor Helen are ever really moving forward. Traditional plot gives way to vibes ... As much an ode to Hollywood as it is a critique. There is in some ways a celebration of how these characters live their lives, whether it’s writing screenplays in France or laying about drinking all day. Hollywood unlocks those perks. But whether the novel addresses how luck molds outcomes, there isn’t necessarily a resolution—there’s no happy Hollywood ending.
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