Book Review: In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) by Ian Hollis

In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) by Ian Hollis

Welcome to the intricate world of ‘In a Large, Loud City,’ where the lives of its inhabitants are as complex as the city itself. At the centre of it all is Adam – a man of many faces and many lives – and Belle, a young mother whose son carries his name. This enthralling narrative weaves through time, from hospital rooms to mysterious trains and alternate realities, exploring the connections that bind us and the secrets that pull us apart.

As Angela grapples with trust and familiar warmth, Amanda navigates the complexities of marriage and identity. Simultaneously, characters like Benji Sabrina, Julie and Max find themselves entangled in quests for truth and meaning, whether it’s through spiritual journeys or desperate races against time.

Spanning from the daily grind to existential dilemmas, this story delves deep into the human psyche and the countless choices that define us. Each chapter is a jigsaw piece in a grand puzzle, revealing a tapestry of human frailty, resilience, and the eternal quest for understanding.

Join us on the rollercoaster of emotion, revelation, and introspection, as ‘In a Large, Loud City’ takes you on a journey you won’t easily forget.

In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) Review

I was compensated for my time reading the book and writing this review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and are based on my honest personal experience reading the book. Nor did the author in any way shape or form ever pressure me to give a positive review.

In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) is the sequel to the engrossing tale that began with In a Small, Quiet Village. The story, which is set in the midst of a bustling metropolis, centers on the lives of Adam, a man with several aliases, and Belle, a young mother whose kid bears his name. The novel delves into the complex relationships and hidden depths of its diverse cast by weaving together a tapestry of interrelated storylines.

Amanda manages the difficulties of marriage and self-discovery while Angela struggles with concerns of familiarity and trust. In the meantime, Benji, Sabrina, Julie, and Max, among others, set off on spiritual expeditions or hectic races against the clock in search of purpose and the truth. The novel explores the human psyche, revealing layers of sensitivity, resilience, and the never-ending quest for understanding. It moves from routines to existential dilemmas.

Using every chapter as a component of a larger whole, In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) creates a moving picture of human weakness and the never-ending search for comprehension. As the protagonists negotiate the nuances of metropolitan life and the complexity of the human experience, get ready for an intense emotional ride full of revelations and introspection.

This sequel wasted no time in continuing the story from its predecessor, immediately immersing us in Belle and Adam’s journey into parenthood. The messy dynamics between Belle, Adam, and Amanda are further explored, alongside the lives of rest of the rest of the ensemble cast from the previous book, including Max, Julia, Benji, and Sabrina. It tried to follow up on their stories from the epilogue in the previous books as well. One thing I noticed and liked is that the pairings in this book are different from the pairings in the epilogue from the previous book, creating unique dynamics, storylines, and interactions out of it. Doing that made the storyline original yet still interesting and relevant for someone who has read the first book.

I’ll be honest, perhaps it’s because this book delves into more mature themes, but I found myself scrutinizing Belle and Adam’s infidelity more intensely this time around. After all, shouldn’t they be more mature in this book than the last? The decision to keep the baby also left me feeling uneasy and conflicted. I typically steer clear of discussions about abortions out of respect for people’s right to choose, but the more I immersed myself in the story, the more I questioned whether bringing an innocent life into such a messy situation was the right choice.

Of course, these are just my personal feelings, shaped by my own morals and values, which I recognize are separate from the quality of the story. The drama between Belle, Adam, and Amanda is undeniably messy, and it’s not something I’d condone in real life. However, I can’t deny that it made for an entertaining read. Despite my reservations about the characters’ predicament, I found myself eagerly turning the pages to uncover what happens next.

My favorite storyline undoubtedly revolves around Amanda, Adam, and Belle (if it isn’t already glaringly obvious), as their dynamic is by far the most captivating and entertaining. However, that’s not to say the other storylines fall short. Each character’s journey serves as a vehicle for exploration, expansion, and growth, stemming from developments established in the previous book. While there were no glaring issues with the other storylines, I can’t think of a lot for me to dissect and analyze compared to the intricate interplay between Amanda, Adam, and Belle within their storylines and developments. It’s definitely the phenomenon of multi-POV favoritism playing here since I struggled to be invested in their story as much as Amanda, Adam, and Belle’s.

To sum up, In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens) explores the intricacies of interpersonal interactions and the never-ending search for understanding through a rich array of interwoven stories. Even though certain plots are more interesting than others, the work itself overall is well done.

I think by far the best aspect of this book is its continuation of the previous book, and it did its job as a sequel very well. If you want this book to further explore things from the previous book or just want to see more of the cast, this book would be for you.

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About the Author of In a Large, Loud City (Where Something Almost Always Happens)

Two-time award winning novelist, Ian A. Hollis, (Firebird Awards (July 2022), Literary Titan Book Award Winner (August 2022)), has always been interested in creative writing and, after taking a course at University of New South Wales in 2012, the beginnings of an upper-middle grade novel began percolating. Ten years later, he completed In a Small, Quiet Village (Where Nothing Much Ever Happens), what he describes as a slice-of-life, light-hearted drama with elements of magical realism.

Movies are a big inspiration for Ian when he writes. Films like folksy Fried Green Tomatoes (at the Whistlestop Café), and the coming-of-age Japanese movies A Gentle Breeze in the Village, and Fireflies: River of Light shaped Ian’s approach to writing. He thinks a great book is one that readers can relate to and that keeps them engaged mentally and emotionally. He hopes his story evokes something out of his young readers that stays with them long after the book is closed.

When he’s not writing thought-provoking books for middle grade readers and young adults, Ian enjoys watching movies, listening to music, playing piano, engaging on social media, and playing video games. A composer of music, Ian taught English in China for five years and now teaches students online where he lives on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. In a Small Quiet Village (Where Nothing Much Ever Happens) is the debut book in his Cities & Villages saga.

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