This eagerly awaited new novel from Trevor Cole combines the humour and sharp observations of contemporary life that he is known for with an irresistibly twisted premise, for fans of the quirkily macabre Six Feet Under and Dexter, and readers of Paul Quarrington, Miriam Toews, Jonathan Franzen, and, of course, Trevor Cole.

In his first two, GG-shortlisted novels, Trevor Cole proved himself a master of drawing us into the shadowy side of human nature with sharp observation and warm wit. In Practical Jean, he goes a step further: this is a darkly humourous and revelatory tale of an ordinary, small-town woman with the usual challenges of middle age — a do-nothing husband, a family that refuses to understand her — who realizes her fondest wish is to protect her dearest friends from the indignities of aging and illness. And that's when she decides to kill them . . .

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

"With his diabolical deadpan, Trevor Cole reminds us that literary fiction can be at once thoughtful, provocative, and blackly funny.  Practical Jean is wicked smart fun."
– Annabel Lyon, author of The Golden Mean

"Practical Jean may be the blackest comedy ever written about the white middle class. Hilarious and heartbreaking, piquant and poignant, it’s a grim pleasure to watch Jean Vale Horemarsh abandon herself to brutal altruism and to the fatal redemption of her dearest friends. Trevor Cole has deeded us an outstanding novel and done, memorably, what no one else has yet managed: taken the too-touted quality of practicality by the scruff and given it a killing shake."
– Bill Richardson, author of Bachelor Brothers’ Bed and Breakfast

"This wicked take on female friendship gives chilling new meaning to the phrase "tough love." Practical Jean is Trevor Cole at his satirical best."
— Lynn Coady, author of Mean Boy


Praise for Trevor Cole:
"Cole is one of the best young novelists in this country." 
— Globe and Mail

"Complex, amusing, charming, vexing, and vastly entertaining. . . . Trevor Cole has enormous talent." 
— Paul Quarrington

"Fine writing, with a light and generous touch. . . . Just delicious!"
— Globe and Mail

"[Norman Bray is] the flat-out funniest novel of the year. . . . In the tradition of novels like Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim." 
— Winnipeg Free Press

"Cole's writing is reminiscent of that of Carol Shields: he can be hilariously funny and profoundly serious at the same time."
— Montreal Gazette

"A jaw-dropping, near-perfect satire." 
— Chatelaine

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

Visit Trevor Cole's website.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

TREVOR COLE is the author of two acclaimed previous novels, Norman Bray in the Performance of His Life and The Fearsome Particles, both of which were shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction and long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Trevor is also an award-winning magazine journalist.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page