The author of the Stephen Leacock Medal-winning The Best Laid Plans brings his trademark humour and sharp storytelling to a new novel set in the high-stakes world of a global public relations agency.
On his first day at Turner King, David Stewart quickly realizes that the world of international PR (affectionately, perhaps ironically, known as "the dark side") is a far cry from his previous job on Parliament Hill. For one, he missed the office memo on the all-black dress code; for another, there are enough acronyms and jargon to make his head spin. Before he even has time to find the washroom, David is assigned a major project: devise a campaign to revitalize North America's interest in the space program - maybe even show NASA's pollsters that watching a shuttle launch is more appealing than going out for lunch with friends. The pressure is on, and before long, David finds himself suggesting the most out-of-this-world idea imaginable: a Citizen Astronaut lottery that would send one Canadian and one American to the International Space Station. Suddenly, David's vaulted into an odyssey of his own, navigating the corporate politics of a big PR agency; wading through the murky but always hilarious waters of Canada-U.S. relations; and trying to hold on to his new job while still doing the right thing.
Equal parts clever and satirical, thoughtful and affecting, Up and Down is Terry Fallis at his best, confirming his status as a Canadian literary star.
Up and Down
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“One of CanLit’s crowned king of chuckles, Terry Fallis hits stratospheric heights with his latest well-balanced and unpredictable satire.”
—Telegraph-Journal
“Not too many Canucks have ventured to write humorous books. There is Stephen Leacock, of course. And Robertson Davies cranked out a couple . . . Count Terry Fallis among the few to achieve success at the form.”
—Ottawa Citizen
"Gently satirical and intelligently frothy, Up and Down achieves a delightful weightlessness as transporting as the space voyage it deals with."
—Andrew Pyper, author of The Guardians
"A rollicking good ride. Funny one moment, serious the next, always compelling: a reminder that we can all dream."
—Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, Member of Parliament
—Telegraph-Journal
“Not too many Canucks have ventured to write humorous books. There is Stephen Leacock, of course. And Robertson Davies cranked out a couple . . . Count Terry Fallis among the few to achieve success at the form.”
—Ottawa Citizen
"Gently satirical and intelligently frothy, Up and Down achieves a delightful weightlessness as transporting as the space voyage it deals with."
—Andrew Pyper, author of The Guardians
"A rollicking good ride. Funny one moment, serious the next, always compelling: a reminder that we can all dream."
—Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, Member of Parliament
About the Author
TERRY FALLIS grew up in Toronto and earned an engineering degree from McMaster University. Drawn to politics at an early age, he worked for cabinet ministers both at Queen's Park and in Ottawa. His first book, The Best Laid Plans, began as a podcast, then was self-published, won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, was re-published by McClelland & Stewart to great reviews, and was crowned the 2011 winner of CBC's Canada Reads as "the essential Canadian novel of the decade." His follow-up, The High Road, was a finalist for the 2011 Leacock Medal. A skilled public speaker, Terry Fallis is also cofounder of the public relations agency Thornley Fallis. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two children. Follow him on Twitter: @TerryFallis.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Birads101
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was worried that after reading his first 2 books, he couldn't keep me entertained without getting formulaic and predictable. But Fallis has done it again, and written another laugh-out-loud story, with The same snappy humour as his first 2 books, but completely different characters. I could hardly put it down. I was eager to find out what happens next in this quintessentially Canadian, cheer-for-the-underdog, we'll-show-those-arrogant-Americans tale, and loving each one-liner giggle.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fallis continues to find a twist to employment focused stories which entertain in such a delightful manner. A very easy and friendly read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By drahcir
Format:Paperback
When I read the first few pages of "Up and down", I had to stop and check the name of the narrator's character against "Best laid plans" and "The high road"- nope, different name...but seemed like the same character.
And I guess that's how I feel about this book- reminiscent of Mr Fallis' other two. Right down to the eccentric Canadian hero.
I also find a bit of a logic gap in this book- the premise is that a pair of 'citizen astronauts' would be put into orbit. As far as I'm aware, NASA essentially dropped any such idea after Christa McAuliffe ,selected during the "Schoolteacher in space" program perished in STS Challenger. The Challenger incident is only mentioned once partway through the book, although there are numerous references to the NASA old guard being skeptical about the 'citizens' flying in space. Might have been a bit more logical to have the Challenger talked about at the beginning, and something said about why NASA was willing to launch civilians again.
So, as much as I enjoy Mr Fallis' writing, I couldn't help but feel that I'd read it all before, and had difficulty accepting the premise of the novel. A good read... just not as good as his others.
And I guess that's how I feel about this book- reminiscent of Mr Fallis' other two. Right down to the eccentric Canadian hero.
I also find a bit of a logic gap in this book- the premise is that a pair of 'citizen astronauts' would be put into orbit. As far as I'm aware, NASA essentially dropped any such idea after Christa McAuliffe ,selected during the "Schoolteacher in space" program perished in STS Challenger. The Challenger incident is only mentioned once partway through the book, although there are numerous references to the NASA old guard being skeptical about the 'citizens' flying in space. Might have been a bit more logical to have the Challenger talked about at the beginning, and something said about why NASA was willing to launch civilians again.
So, as much as I enjoy Mr Fallis' writing, I couldn't help but feel that I'd read it all before, and had difficulty accepting the premise of the novel. A good read... just not as good as his others.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Up and Down,Good book but not as funny as previous books of Fallis. A...
A good book but not as funny as Fallis trevious books. A very improbable theme. Enjoyed the Canandian content. The Bad Guys did not turn out to be so bad.
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Published 25 days ago by Suzanne MacLean
5.0 out of 5 stars
More great stuff from Terry
I loved every word, the characters are every bit as wonderful as those in the political books. Combine the great characters with Fallis's obvious love of the space program and you... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Prairie Lynn
4.0 out of 5 stars
A mostly Canadian story that can be enjoyed by anyone -- even...
I had read and liked the first work done by Terry Fallis, the hugely enjoyable "The Best Laid Plans. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mstanik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read!
Terry Fallis has a very easy way of writing that makes it a joy to sit down with his books and become absorbed in the world of PR, NASA, and the great Canadian pastime, pissing off... Read more
Published 2 months ago by athena910
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