LOVE AND OTHER NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES

Popular British web-master Millington (Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About, 2003) makes a stab at philosophical musing in this Nick Hornby–esque tale about a late-night radio disc jockey coming to terms with the randomness of life and death.

Rob is on his way to an appointment at the Bird Dog Pub when the pub explodes in a freak accident that kills everyone inside. Afterwards, although too traumatized by his near-miss to make even basic decisions (e.g., to take a bath vs. a shower), Rob resists his fiancée Jo’s suggestion to get psychological help. Then he breaks down during his radio show, discarding his assigned playlist to ramble on about his experience. Ratings soar, and he’s soon swamped by calls and e-mails. Two catch his attention: Beth, who e-mails that Rob is in danger, and Elizabeth, who argues with him on-air. Then there is the former American soldier Zach, who accosts him in the parking lot. All have had close calls with death, surviving while others perished. With Zach as self-appointed (or God-appointed, according to Zach) guardian, Rob goes on a quest to sort out why one person lives and another does not. He tracks down Elizabeth, a 46-year-old depressed former schoolteacher whom he rescues from a suicide attempt. He contacts Beth, a sexy spiritualist who claims that Rob is the target of fundamentalist Christians. Rob further survives an explosion, a fire and other miscellaneous violence while figuring out who in his world is nutty and who is genuinely nuts. Questions arise: What is coincidence? What is pre-ordained? What is the result of choice? And what does any of it matter compared to the hot, kinky sex Rob’s having with Elizabeth although she’s 15 years his senior and he’s still engaged to Jo?

Beneath the brittle humor and madcap adventure, Millington’s novel is oddly sentimental, even old-fashioned.