Book info

• Title Who is Tom Ditto?
• Author Danny Wallace
• Year 2014
• Genre Contemporary

Tom got a note from his girlfriend. It says she hasn't left him, but she's gone. But where the hell is she? When is she coming back? And what is Tom supposed to do in the meantime? With each new clue to Hayley’s whereabouts, Tom is forced to question whether he truly knows his girlfriend at all. Because who is Hayley really, anyway? Who is this other strange girl following him? And who, for that matter, is Tom Ditto?

Thoughts

Danny Wallace’s novels follow the pattern he set for himself as a non-fiction writer, in that characters go on bizarre adventures and learn meaningful life lessons along the way. Charlotte Street was about following the clues from a set of photographs, Tom Ditto is about following people themselves.

Most of the book is entirely bonkers. It kicks off with an intriguing proposition: Tom’s girlfriend has disappeared with a note saying she’s gone but not really gone. From there, once Tom’s worked through his anger, he starts finding out clues and figuring out what life is all about.

Although it’s an odd story, a bizarre premise following a concept that I hope doesn’t catch on, it’s still endearing. They’re great characters, there’s plenty of humour in there too, and it’s believable whilst at the same time being totally unreal. And it comes to an unexpectedly happy ending, so phew!

Rating: 4 / 5