You Can Make Him Like You

Ben Tanzer's story of self-obsessed Keith Discuss this article

you52611_1
© ITP Images

Ben Tanzer
4/5

Enter Keith: a Chicago man pushing 40 and a self-proclaimed selfish idiot with an affinity to US indie rock band The Hold Steady, whose song shares this novel’s title. Between his job working on ‘marketing stuff for quasi-hipster corporations’ and dealing with hell-sent neighbours in his Gold Coast condo, Keith can’t control his constant fantasising about women. Early on, he bluntly admits: ‘I collect them in my head like I once collected baseball cards.’ Maybe his wayward desire wouldn’t pose such a problem if he weren’t married. Not to mention wife Liz’s ultimatum: either they have a baby or she’s gone forever.

In true Tanzer fashion, You Can Make Him Like You is littered with a barrage of pop-culture references. Told in a series of vignette-like chapters, the book chronicles the meltdown of a reluctant father. Readers are treated to Keith’s every thought, as his internal dialogue is often humorously interjected in conversations. Even when he’s on the verge of the big 4-0, our narrator faces a mountain of self-reflection and growing up before his child arrives. Had he not told us his age, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine him in his late twenties.

Compared to the protagonist, the supporting characters don’t get enough of the spotlight and consequently fail to develop into anything more than secondary figures in Keith’s shadow. But this coming-of-age story for late bloomers offers an erratic yet touching glimpse of marriage and fatherhood.

By Matt Sadowski
Time Out Bahrain,

Add your review/feedback

Subscribe to weekender newsletter

Prove you're not a robot:

Submit

Time Out Dubai

25 best things to do in Dubai this week
Darts, beach party, art exhibition, dining deals and more

Time Out
Abu Dhabi

25 best things to do in Abu Dhabi
Award-winning food, freediving, fine art and more Dhabi fun

Time Out
Doha

Doha Restaurant Awards: winners
Time Out reveals the best places to eat in Doha

The Knowledge

David Guetta considers working with Justin Bieber
May 5

Superstar DJ says Bieber has the ‘potential’ to become a ‘credible’ artist

Justin Bieber to play second Dubai gig
Apr 15

Beliebers in the Middle East will rejoice at second Sevens stadium concert

Oscars 2013: full list of winners
Feb 25

The 85th Academy Awards are underway in Hollywood, and here's the full list of winners as they come in

Newsletters

Sign up now