The Clerk – An honest review

The Clerk

Matt Cowper

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thomas Copeland has just turned forty years old, but unlike some men his age, he’s not going to have a midlife crisis. Sure, he works at a small grocery store on the North Carolina coast, he doesn’t have many friends, and he’s unmarried and childless, but he’s content with his simple life.

Others, however, are not so content, and they want to make sure Thomas knows it. Between a family curse, wanderlust-filled (and lust-filled) co-workers, a dangerously unhappy sister, and a vindictive ex-friend-with-benefits, Thomas finds himself in an exhausting battle to maintain his idyllic lifestyle.

Will Thomas be able to resolve – or at least survive – these dramas? Will he find love, or just tepid one-night stands? Will his boss ever notice he’s cleaned the bathroom? What will he get his Secret Santa giftee? And what will be the ultimate fate of the grocery store where he works?

“The Clerk” is both satirical and poignant, a riveting exploration of the choices people make in the pursuit of freedom and success. You’ll never look at a grocery store the same way again.

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I don’t read literary fiction very often, I usually prefer books with a little more action, but when it’s done well, as it is here, it can be very enjoyable. Thomas Copeland is a very good character whom I was interested in following as he made his way through life, dealing with his family, friends and co-workers.

In the grand scheme of things, little happens to Thomas Copeland, he simply lives a life, but it’s a life (okay so only a part of a life) that’s worth reading about, filled with the kind of people many of us can relate to, I know I certainly could. As each character, whether it be family, friend, or co-worker, entered the scene, I wanted to know what drama they were going to put in the way of Thomas’ efforts to simply live his life, and how he was going to deal with it.

Matt Cowper has done a great job of writing not only an interesting and well fleshed-out main character, but a whole cast of characters who bring plenty to the story, without overwhelming the person you’re supposed to care about.

While the whole book is good, and written in a style that makes it easy to get into and and enjoy (I went through it in next to know time) there are some standout moments/scenes, which I won’t spoil by revealing them here.

All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who is after someone more than chase scenes/fight scenes/heavy romance or action.