The Chair Man

'The Chair Man' would make an excellent book club choice, stimulating discussion and lively argument. It contains masses of detailed information, selection from which can justify a wide range of interpretations. Many readers will admire Hollinghurst. He is a good father, particularly to his daughter Natasha, who considers him ""the best frigging dad in the world"", and he possesses ""in spades"" the ""primal need to feel and protect your own flesh and blood."" His son Ben thinks he ""could always see the good in others."" But that is exactly how many terrorists are remembered by almost all who knew and loved them.

"The nearest I ever got to a ""terrorist incident"" was in East London, when I heard the IRA bomb go off in Docklands in 1996. I cannot predict my reaction were I to be caught up personally in such events, but I hope I would not go the same way as Michael Hollinghurst, the central figure in this entertaining and elaborately-plotted novel. It is a gripping thriller that repays careful and close reading (and I will certainly read it again).""

Graham Smith, 2020

Mild-mannered Michael is one of Nature’s gentlemen. Then one unlucky day he falls victim to a terrorist bombing, and his life shrinks to the confines of his wheelchair. But Michael’s not about to take this sitting down. He reinvents himself as the ‘Chair Man’ and wages war on international terrorism from the comfort of his own living room. Following his journey we discover that a paraplegic’s best friend really is his dog, and just how much trouble you can get yourself into on the internet. The Chair Man is a carefully plotted descent into total mayhem. I enjoyed it! Goodreads

What makes this book so good is it’s basis in truth and the factual detail. The protagonist, Michael, is left paralyzed from the waist down from the horrific terrorist attack in the London transit system in 2005. Once he comes to terms with his disability, he wants to seek other terrorists out for retribution.

Of course this takes an unexpected turn and he himself is suspect as a terrorist. Further twists ensue from there.

This book holds up as well as any better know author of thrillers. I particularly loved the use of British jargon.

You won’t miss by picking this one up. Goodreads

On 7 July 2005 there were four separate but co-ordinated terrorist suicide attacks in London, England. Three were on trains in the London Underground (Tube; Metro) and one on a bus. The day has since become known, among British citizens at least, as 7/7. It is often deemed the equivalent of the infamous United States of America’s 9/11. Though not as extensive as 9/11 it was still traumatic and devastating. There were fifty-six, mixed race, deaths (including the bombers) and seven hundred and eighty-four injuries.

The tone, ethos, and background for this tale are established up front by the author’s dedication:

‘In memory of the victims of the London 7/7 atrocity and all other terrorist outrages.’

The tale commences with the introduction of the protagonist, a survivor, despite his serious injuries, of the bombings. The reader soon learns what is to be the driving force behind the subsequent events: desire for reprisal and revenge against those for dominance and destruction. Throughout, all characters are introduced in well rounded form which enables the reader to visualise, identify, and, where appropriate, empathise, with them.

The story unfolds from all perspectives: terrorist, victim, colleagues, medics, security personnel, friends, and family. It is to the author’s credit that he has attempted, with great success it must be said, to comprehend and understand the motivations, philosophies, and frustrations involved. It is obvious a considerable amount of research went into this remarkable tale for which the author should be commended.

Throughout the reader is kept engaged, suspecting but not quite sure of where the tale is going and frequently surprised by where it does take them. The style flows easily building upon each block as the reader progresses. Nevertheless, despite the steady onward flow, the read should not be rushed: there is considerable content to be absorbed including many valid observations on life and society and how it has changed. It would be easy to miss much of value if the reader does not take time to assimilate each element.

Alex Pearl has made this a realistic and relatable story by avoiding unnecessary frills other authors may have been tempted to incorporate. The reader will have no difficulty comprehending and identifying with the, sadly, modern scenarios. Though the plot, in association with the various sub-plots, may appear complex it is not really and is in no way cumbersome. Each event smoothly transitions to the next.

It is difficult to do this brilliant book justice in a short review. Anyone interested in reflections upon modern society and the impact of terror attacks, as well as those who simply enjoy a good book, will find this an engaging and involved read. The ending will also surprise them because it is certainly not anticipated. Goodreads

Corporate Lawyer Michael, severely injured in the 7/7 terrorist attacks, left wheelchair bound and thirsty for revenge, is on a quest to track down British jihadists that will drag his friends and family into mortal danger.

I am a disabled veteran, with some counter-terrorism training and experience, who was forced to use a wheelchair for 6 years during which time I retrained as a corporate lawyer. Oh boy.

What I like most about The Chair Man is how it shows the way one mind-blowingly, head-slapping stupid choice spirals out of control, dragging more people into its mess, who in turn demonstrate the sort of awful decision-making that is actually very realistic in the world of espionage. It is hypnotic and you cannot look away; you will root for the most unexpected, hopeless characters. I loved the moments when I found myself sort of cheering for the terrorists.

I had a hard time empathising with Michael. This is an upper middle-class white male with massive wealth, extraordinary medical support, friends and family who love him without question or awkwardness, and back him one hundred per cent. Michael is so badass that he is giving piano lessons within a similar amount of time that I was still struggling to bathe myself. Let us say our experiences of injury were basically opposites.

Eventually I accepted that this was my problem, and the author had made the right choice: this is a book about revenge spiralling out of control, not the grim and rather desperate nature of becoming disabled. You cannot have too much “another day of shitting yourself” get in the way of a good thriller. And this is a good, fun thriller. I particularly enjoyed the attention to period detail – I remember back in the day when we all started to get excited about tracking mobile phones – and Pearl’s research and pacing give this the feel of a more cerebral Bourne novel. If you are looking for suspense in slightly unusual packaging, this is a good choice. Goodreads