Title: Care of Wooden Floors
Author: Will Wiles
First published January 1, 2012
295 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780007424436 (ISBN10: 0007424434)
Rating: 3.32
Overview
In Care of Ceramic Tiles, a debut novel by a darkly humorous author, we follow the story of Jack, a struggling writer, who is asked by his college friend to house-sit his upscale apartment and take care of his beloved cats. The catch?
Jack knows nothing about taking care of cats, or high-end apartments for that matter. As he tries to keep up with Oskar’s detailed instructions, a series of unfortunate events unfold, leading to a hilarious chain of events that threaten to destroy the apartment and Jack’s sanity.
Care of Ceramic Tiles is a witty, thought-provoking tale about the quest for perfection, the cost of alienation, and the challenge of maintaining a beautiful home. And yes, it’s also about how to take care of ceramic tiles.
Editoral Review
Care of Wooden Floors, written by Will Wiles, is a captivating novel that explores the life of a man who agrees to house-sit for a friend in a foreign country. The book was first published on January 1, 2012, and falls under the genre of literary fiction.
The story is set in an apartment in an unnamed Eastern European city, and the plot revolves around the protagonist’s attempts to maintain the apartment’s wooden floors in pristine condition while dealing with various obstacles.
The story’s protagonist is a British man named Oskar, who is a writer and editor by profession. He is a meticulous person who is overly concerned about the apartment’s wooden floors and takes every precaution to ensure that they remain in perfect condition.
However, things take a turn for the worse when a party hosted by his friend leaves the apartment in disarray, and Oskar is left to face the consequences.
The book’s strength lies in its ability to portray complex characters and their relationships with each other. Oskar is a likable protagonist who is relatable and flawed, making him a compelling character.
The other characters in the book are equally well-developed, and each one contributes to the plot’s overall development.
Wiles’ writing style is impeccable, and he has an excellent command over language. The pacing of the story is perfect, and the plot structure is well thought-out, keeping the reader engaged throughout.
The themes explored in the book, such as loneliness, isolation, and the human condition, are universal and resonate with readers from all walks of life.
The book’s weaknesses are few and far between. Some readers might find the plot to be slow-moving, but this is a minor issue that does not detract from the overall quality of the book.
Overall, Care of Wooden Floors is a must-read for fans of literary fiction. The book is well-written, well-paced, and explores universal themes that are relevant even today.
It is a testament to Wiles’ skill as a writer and his ability to create memorable characters and captivating stories.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literature that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the human condition. Care of Wooden Floors is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and it deserves a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
