Dazed and Aroused

Male model Alex exists in a bubble of slogans, consumerism, castings and never fully engaging in the world. A ghost in his own life, he allows a plethora of vacuous models and parties and drink and drugs invade his aura while his only tethers to a grounded life, his long-suffering girlfriend Nathalie and sceptical friend Hugo watch on.

This debut novel from ex-model Bower, carries an authenticity that allows its transient nature, never really existing in one place to, move it along. Alex is never still, never fully engaged, never taking his life by the hands- instead he is at the whim of his agency, his fellow models and hangers-on he meets along the way. You get the sense that ultimately there will always be someone with higher cheekbones, more defined abs and his life is headed towards a quick rush followed by a crushing hangover. As lives collide, intersect and spill into each other, as Alex is unable to keep the separation between his two worlds intact, we move towards a sombre climax.

The book, making good use of found slogans and adverts is a solid mediation on emptiness and apathy, funny and contemporary all at once.