An improvisation on a number of themes by Helen Garner, on one level this book is a study of literary semiotics and linguistic meaning. More importantly, perhaps, it’s a careful picture of what it was like to be in Sydney and living the life of the mind during the Big Brother season of 2005.
“Almost absurdist, definitely brilliant … A delight to read.” Kerryn Goldsworthy, Sydney Morning Herald
“Fantastic cock and bull story … Part novel, part fantasy autobiography, part metaphysical fugue in the spirit of Lewis Carroll.” Geordie Williamson, The Australian
“A farcical and slyly illuminating celebration of domesticity and more. The narrator – home-husband, grammarian (retired), endearingly grumpy old man – takes us on a shandean dance towards Meaning that takes in everything from Saussure to Big Brother. Jones never puts a foot wrong.” David Malouf
Living By My Wits: Literary works by Alex Jones 