This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Dylan Insch for Readers' Favorite
Incompetence by Will Thorpe follows Wes Haas, a university literature professor driving east through the Pacific Northwest on a personal pilgrimage to Idaho. Haas is currently dealing with a major professional crisis after refusing to alter his graduate syllabus according to arbitrary institutional metrics, a situation made worse by an unexpected harassment investigation launched because he winked at a colleague. The road trip serves a dual purpose; he must also pick up his teen son, Linus, from his ex-wife’s home in Montana. As the miles stack up, Haas revisits the bizarre sequences that ended his marriage, while contemplating his bond with a ballerina named Aletheia and her unique pet cat. He’s running out of time to figure out how to be a proper father while his entire career is in jeopardy.
Incompetence by Will Thorpe is a satirical road trip novel that strips away the shiny veneer of modern careerism to reveal the complex realities of middle-aged parenthood. It covers themes like institutional absurdity, reconciliation, and the ghosts of memory. The pacing is well-balanced, never rushing Haas’ inner realizations. Haas is a fascinating guide on this trip; his memory lapses and biases make him feel like a real person. The mounting pressure from his university administration creates a strong sense of inevitable disaster that looms over every rest stop and campsite. The depiction of campus politics is brutally funny, contrasting with the open nature of the vast country setting of his trip. The writing is unique and engaging, opting for raw dialogue and dark humor to keep readers engaged. It is fascinating to watch the pieces of Haas’ past slide into place against the backdrop of the open highway. I think readers who appreciate an uncompromising, witty look at modern-day identity crises will be captivated by this tale from the very first mile.
