About the Book
The author of the Stephen Leacock Medal-winning The Best Laid Plans brings his trademark humour and sharp storytelling to a new novel set in the high-stakes world of a global public relations agency.
On his first day at Turner King, David Stewart quickly realizes that the world of international PR (affectionately, perhaps ironically, known as "the dark side") is a far cry from his previous job on Parliament Hill. For one, he missed the office memo on the all-black dress code; for another, there are enough acronyms and jargon to make his head spin. Before he even has time to find the washroom, David is assigned a major project: devise a campaign to revitalize North America's interest in the space program - maybe even show NASA's pollsters that watching a shuttle launch is more appealing than going out for lunch with friends. The pressure is on, and before long, David finds himself suggesting the most out-of-this-world idea imaginable: a Citizen Astronaut lottery that would send one Canadian and one American to the International Space Station. Suddenly, David's vaulted into an odyssey of his own, navigating the corporate politics of a big PR agency; wading through the murky but always hilarious waters of Canada-U.S. relations; and trying to hold on to his new job while still doing the right thing.
Equal parts clever and satirical, thoughtful and affecting, Up and Down is Terry Fallis at his best, confirming his status as a Canadian literary star.
About the Author :
TERRY FALLIS grew up in Toronto and earned an engineering degree from McMaster University. Drawn to politics at an early age, he worked for cabinet ministers in Ottawa and at Queen’s Park. His first novel, The Best Laid Plans, began as a podcast, then was self-published, won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, was re-published by McClelland & Stewart to great reviews, was crowned the 2011 winner of CBC’s Canada Reads as “the essential Canadian novel of the decade,” and was adapted as a CBC Television series and a stage musical. His next two novels, The High Road and Up and Down were finalists for the Leacock Medal, and in 2015, he won the prize a second time, for his fourth book, No Relation. His other novels include Poles Apart, One Brother Shy, Albatross, and Operation Angus, and were all national bestsellers. A skilled public speaker, he lives in Toronto with his wife, and blogs at www.terryfallis.com.
Review :
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE OLA EVERGREEN AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE STEPHEN LEACOCK MEDAL FOR HUMOUR
“One of CanLit’s crowned king of chuckles, Terry Fallis hits stratospheric heights with his latest well-balanced and unpredictable satire. . . . Fallis is a gifted storyteller."
—Telegraph-Journal
"Up and Down kept me smiling, made me laugh out loud, and occasionally moved me to tears. In short, I was entertained. His hilarious running commentary on the minutiae of modern life recalls the comedy of Seinfeld. In Up and Down, space is the metaphor for a braver, better world."
—National Post
“[A] comic novel . . . with entertaining plot twists designed to engage anyone looking for hilarious and astute commentary on the differences between Canadians and Americans. . . . A fascinating story of the divergence of Canadian and American values, the importance of family, unlikely friendship, second chances, ageism, a love of Sherlock Holmes, insight into the awe-inspiring world of space travel, and the importance of using your head but following your heart.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
“As plot elements go, space travel and public relations make an unusual combo. But Terry Fallis pulls it off in Up and Down, a breezy, gentle satire. . . . [A] lighthearted plot involving slamming doors, vaudeville turns, plot twists, and a lot of good-natured badinage. . . . Vivid and dazzling. . . . [Fallis] displays formidable chops when it comes to narrative pacing, wrangling subplots, balancing comedy and pathos and generally moving things along in a sprightly and entertaining fashion. . . Characters are nimbly sketched. . . . [Fallis] might have a shot at another Leacock.” —Globe and Mail
“Funny and delightful. . . . If Terry Fallis talks like he writes, then I want to meet this man because he is very droll indeed. A sly humour that doesn’t slap you upside the head, but more subtle with hints of sarcasm, all in a good way. . . . The premise of this book is a bit over the top but in his hands it works and it’s funny. . . . Memorable. . . . Quite enjoyable from start to finish.”
—Montreal Gazette
“Not too many Canucks have ventured to write humorous books. There is Stephen Leacock, of course. And Robertson Davies cranked out a couple. . . . Count Terry Fallis among the few to achieve success at the form.”
—Ottawa Citizen
"Gently satirical and intelligently frothy, Up and Down achieves a delightful weightlessness as transporting as the space voyage it deals with."
—Andrew Pyper, author of The Guardians
"A rollicking good ride. Funny one moment, serious the next, always compelling: a reminder that we can all dream."
—Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, Member of Parliament
“In Landon Percival, Terry Fallis brings to vivid life an unexpected hero—tough yet endearing, brave yet vulnerable. As told by the adorably self-deprecating David Stewart, Landon’s highly entertaining story of NASA intrigue and public relations high jinks reminds us of what it means to be Canadian.”
—Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author of The Day the Falls Stood Still
“Terry Fallis has done it again. Up and Down is another hilarious page-turner that also packs an emotional punch. Only a very talented writer can balance humour and pathos so skillfully. Beautifully written, these characters rocket off the page and straight into your heart. This is satire at its finest.”
—Ali Velshi, former CNN Anchor and Chief Business Correspondent
