Steven is your typical inner city dweller wrestling with the usual dramas that beset the average Generation X-er: becoming a postman, fretting about misplaced apostrophes in public spaces and being wrongly accused of Rottweiler murder. With trusty friend Gina leading the investigation, Steven plays amateur detective to clear his name, and along the way discovers the value of platonic and romantic friendships plus the easiest way to assemble your own zine. Adam Ford's first book of prose (previously he s had a collection of poetry published, Not Quite the Man for the Job) is a humorous, amiable romp through familiar terrain. As with most first novels, autobiographical aspects seep through the narrative, but fortunately Ford eschews the grungy nihilism so prevalent in 20-something literature and sticks with Nick Earls-styled sitcom where the male protagonist is a lovable but inept schmo. Man Bites Dog has a definite sense of time and place and quietly champions Ford s love of independent culture--drinking in dingy pubs, listening to performance poetry and drawing comics. With a low quota of existential angst and a high volume of whimsy, Man Bites Dog would appeal to adults and young adults alike who are after a lightweight read.

Thuy On is a Melbourne writer and reviewer.

C. 2003 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors

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