Fishbowl

Fishbowl Synopsis

Even a goldfish can dream of adventure...From his enviable view from a balcony on the 27th floor of an apartment block, Ian the Goldfish has frequent - if fleeting - desires for a more exciting life. Until one day, a series of unfortunate events give him an opportunity to escape...Our story begins, however, with the human inhabitants of Ian's building. There is the handsome student, his girlfriend, and his mistress; an agoraphobic sex worker, the invisible caretaker; the pregnant woman on bed rest; and the home-schooled boy, Herman, who thinks he can travel through time. And as Ian tumbles perilously downwards, he will witness all their lives, loves, triumphs and disasters...A truly original, philosophically joyful and charming novel with the unlikeliest of heroes. This is Tales of the City as seen by a goldfish.

Fishbowl Reader Reviews

In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.

• Kerry Bridges - 'This is a brilliant book which will engage you, make you laugh and cry and want to turn the last few pages really slowly so that it doesn't end. Highly original and definitely recommended.'
  
• Kathryn Whitfield - 'Fantastic, clever and original story, I loved it.'
• Marie Larby - 'Even the title of each chapter brings a smile to your face...I read it on holidays, and loved it.'
  
• Victoria Emerson - 'I found Fishbowl to be an intelligently written, light hearted, enjoyable read.'
  
• Angela Rhodes - 'What a rollercoaster of a ride ‘Fishbowl’ is. For me this was a dream of a novel: sexy, funny, sad, and affectionate'
  
• Laura Nazmdeh - 'A unique and entertaining novel told from the perspective of a goldfish that allows you to peek into the lives of colourful people.'
  
• Judith Griffith - 'A throughly enjoyable read about the inhabitants of an apartment block, interspersed with Ian the Goldfish's journey to freedom! Funny, moving and a must-read!'
• Jennifer Rainbow - 'I loved this book from the beginning, It's an authentic, riveting read with so much going on you won't be able to close the pages until you find out what happens next (especially to Ian the goldfish).'
• Phylippa Smithson - 'Be sure to take longer than 30 mins – that’s the period of time the book covers – to read the creative, humorous and ambitious writing of this very stylish book.'
• Poppy Osborne - 'Refreshing, funny and warm. Fishbowl is a such a brilliant novel that isn't just about a fish, its about us as humans.'
• Gavin Dimmock - 'Funny, warm and evocative. A tale of Ian, the goldfish, and his terrifying fall from the 27th floor.'
• Sarah Harper - 'Fishbowl far exceeded all of my expectations. Unique and very clever, full of humour and hope, this is a book you’re going to want to tell everyone about.'
• Peter Land - 'A warm, light and amusing book of lives touching each other, as seen through a fish eye lens.'
• Margaret Madden - 'A bright, comedic novel of substance...'
• Ruth Carson - 'this is a charming and quirky novel which I would recommend to anyone wanting to read something a bit different.'
  Angela Rhodes - 'For me this was a dream of a novel: sexy, funny, sad, and affectionate.'
• Annette Woolfson - 'Fishbowl is at times funny; quirky; unbearably poignant but ultimately is an uplifting read – which is strange given the earthward bound goldfish and the dodgy lift.'
• Edel Waugh - '. I really enjoyed the way the book was written, it made me wonder what the lives of other people would be like who live in similar buildings. Loved this!'   
• Oliver Keating - 'Every reader will want to know what happens to the Goldfish, you will have to read the book to find out. This book is a treat in store for anyone.'

Fishbowl Press Reviews

'Amazing' Cosmopolitan

'Quirky, ambitious, with a touch of serendipity' Red Magazine

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All versions of this book

ISBN: 9780091956936
Publication date: 31/03/2016
Publisher: Ebury Press an imprint of Ebury Publishing
Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780091956929
Publication date: 06/08/2015
Publisher: Ebury Press an imprint of Ebury Publishing
Format: Hardback

Book Information

About Bradley Somer

The author, Bradley Somer, was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Canada. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals, reviews and anthologies. His debut novel, Imperfections, was published in Fall 2012 by Nightwood Editions in Canada. Imperfections earned a starred review from Quill & Quire magazine, won the 2013 CBC Bookie Award for debut of the year, was one of the Canadian Bookseller's Top 8 Picks for 2012, and has received a host of other critic's praises (I've included some of that review attention, below). Bradley has spoken for many radio interviews, festivals and literary events and he continues to tour ...

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