BOOK TOUR x Random Things Tours - The Better Brother by Simon Gravatt

 

Michael and Jack Merriweather are more strangers than brothers at this point. And honestly, Michael would prefer it to stay that way. But after their Father passes away and stipulates that his successful funerary business is to be left to both of them equally they're left speechless, and even more so when they find out they won't get their inheritance at all if they refuse to work together for at least five years.

Right away, it's clear that they're not just disagreeing on how to run a business - this is personal. And their feud isn't only threatening to destroy their family legacy, but seeping into every aspect of their lives. The Merriweather brothers are on a path of destruction, and they'll each do anything to prove once and for all that they've always been the better brother. 

"Death happens and life goes on."

A morbidly hilarious tale of sibling rivalry and family drama, with multi-faceted, layered tension and conflict. Each little aspect of their central arguments are peeled back to reveal they're more than surface value, revealing burning resentment, bitterness and a painful desire to win no matter what. Jack and Michael were so blindingly different - Michael was uptight, cold and narcissistic, Whereas Jack still feels like the little brother, wondering why Michael has such contempt for him and constantly feeling betrayed, mistreated and trodden on. But despite falling into the trope of big brother/little brother, both men were complex and interesting people with unique lives. 

One seems to want to be a better brother, one wants to be the better brother. 

There was an odd pacing to this story, firstly because not much actually happens but it was still all too easy to get sucked into their petty and serious drama and their attempt at trying to run a business, secondly being the passage of time throughout the story. There's quite a lot of jumping time and while there is headings letting us know the new timing of the chapter, the passing of time did get a little confusing and jarring at times. 

Brimming with oddly charming prose, this tale of backstabs, betrayals and brotherly rivalry is definitely one to make you think about what family really means to you. 

CW: references to suicide and death, infidelity, break-ups, family trauma, funerals, pregnancy, divorce. 

About The Author

Simon Gravatt is a first-time novelist who lives in South London.

He's drawn from  personal experience as a brother and business owner to write his tale of sibling rivalry and  the combustibility of small business.

Simon is married with two adult children.

Thank you to Red Door Books and Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in this tour. I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.