Christopher very kindly emailed me asking if I’d like to read his first novella, Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan. I accepted and devoured it in one sitting. All opinions in this review are my own.
Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan follows the story of Andy Jordan and Gino Bianchi as they discover they’re identical twins and their journey to find their birth mother. Eventually they learn about their birth mother’s devastating secret, which really sets the emotional tone for the rest of the novella.
The book explores family dynamics, finding your place in this world and building relationships with those around you. At a concise 171 pages, the book is fast-paced and draws you immediately into the dazzling lights of New York.
Family, Belonging, and New York City
Initially, you see the world through Andy’s eyes. He’s a Brit in America and works in graphic design. A case of mistaken identity leads him to Gino Bianchi, setting in motion a discovery that reshapes both of their lives. The book slowly introduces other characters, such as Gino’s mom, Andy’s mum and brother, and their friendship groups. The story is written in third person, which makes it easy to differentiate between the characters. Most chapters end with one character’s internal monologue, which allows you to see the situation through their eyes and gives them emotional depth.
Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan touches on some distressing themes, but Christopher’s deft writing keeps it from feeling too heavy or overwhelming. Other themes – such as finding your place in this world – were subtly conveyed through character perceptions. I felt Andy was the more introspective twin, and he shared observations about the world on his way to work. Gino, and his mother Angie, had a classic warm and effusive Italian American manner, which contrasted nicely with Andy and his mother Jeanette’s British reserve. These differences are lightly implied – a hug instead of a handshake, or “mom” instead of “mum”. But they really add to the immersive feel of the novella.
What I’d have loved more of
Speaking of subtleties in the book, it hinted that there’s emotional distance between Andy and his father. Both Andy and his mother in their internal monologues briefly touch on this. It’s not something that’s fully explored in the novella and I’d have loved to know more about their relationship to satisfy my own curiosity. However, I can understand why the book mainly focusses on the birth mother’s trauma.
I also wondered if any character might have been reluctant to reconnect, maybe wanting to protect their current family or avoid emotional upheaval. At the same time, I completely understand why the novella focuses on the birth mother’s experiences. Exploring other dynamics might have lessened the emotional impact of the mother’s story or extended the novella’s length.
All in all, I really enjoyed Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan. It explores difficult themes with sensitivity and restraint, while celebrating family, connection, and the search for belonging, all set against the bright lights of New York City. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a concise, emotionally engaging read.
Well done, Christopher. I look forward to reading what you write next.
You can pick up your copy of Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan here.
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