I went to the launch of Victoria Hannan’s new novel, I Love the Whole World!, last week. Hannan was in convo with fellow author, Kate Mildenhall, who described this book as a ‘joy bomb’. And I absolutely agree.

In summary, it’s about a woman named Leslie. Leslie’s husband, Dennis, a physiotherapist, divorced her (and quickly re-partnered with Kimberley, his Alexander Technique teacher). Leslie, having drifted along in the marriage for decades, is indifferent to what happens next…

Dennis had been the only man she had ever loved, and was now a person she felt a numbing ambivalence towards. Thinking about Dennis was like going to the dentist to get a filling: a slight pinch, and then nothing.

And then Leslie wins a trip to Las Vegas. Wonder, she discovers, can be found in the most unlikely of places, and the trip reminds Leslie of who she once was (an aspiring artist) and what she might become.

There are no crazy plot twists; no big revelations; no pressure on the reader to take away a deep or life-changing message. This is a thoughtful (without ramming it down your throat), funny and relatable story. I loved it and I loved Leslie.

Firstly, it’s funny. The funny comes from a few sources (including some fart jokes) but it is Hannan’s repeated use of Leslie’s name that creates space around the character, separating the reader from Leslie – it’s just enough that we can laugh at the things that Leslie finds amazing (because some of them aren’t that amazing), yet also appreciate the deep sense of joy Leslie is experiencing. It’s infectious.

On thinking about her daughter –

Twenty-two was a complicated age for Moose, who was navigating it with more anger than Leslie remembered having at her age – but then the whole world was on rollerskates back then. Hard to be angry on rollerskates.

On arriving in Vegas –

Everything looked foreign and unreal yet somehow exactly as she had expected it to. There were huge billboards promoting music and magic shows, no-win, no-fee injury lawyers, medications. She spotted two dialysis clinics on the short drive from the airport to the hotel. Leslie wasn’t sure she’d ever seen a dialysis clinic at home. And yet, there were two here on this short stretch of road. What was happening to America’s kidneys?

On her breakfast waffle, served with maple syrup and bacon –

Leslie cut into the waffle… Whoever invented this deserved a Nobel prize! Which category, she wasn’t sure. Was there an overall winner for just generally making life better?

Secondly, the observations about America and Americans are brilliant and because we are seeing it all for the first time through Leslie’s eyes, Hannan gets away with it.

Her understanding of America was that they liked things big, and they liked them convenient.

Lastly, this book is an ode to solo travel. I love traveling on my own. Yes, I also love holidaying with family and friends, but being on your own schedule is outstanding (as Leslie discovers). Specifically, Hannan does what I think many enthusiastic travellers do (or is it just me, Leslie and Hannan?) – you visit a place and you love everything about it. And you imagine a life there. You might even check out neighbourhoods and real estate and think about whether you could work in this new found place. All that pure excitement comes through in Leslie.

She wanted to stand at the edge and peer over. She wanted to hike down and look up. She couldn’t remember the last time she wanted so much of everything.

This cold drink. This salty rim. This desert paradise. She wondered if she could live here after all. She could buy a house… She could decorate the house in tasteful desert colours.

There are shades of All Fours here (but not weird or gross, like some people found All Fours to be) – maybe the menopausal woman/ mother on a road trip to find herself is a new literary trend. If so, I’m here for it.

Leslie was having the time of her life, drunk on white rum and food colouring and champagne and pink lipstick and heat and tigers and velvet. She was in love with everyone (except Dennis) and everything. She had never felt a high like this before, and she realised that maybe it was happiness. If it wasn’t heat stroke and alcohol, then it was definitely happiness.

4/5

Leslie visits the (vast) breakfast buffet –

She had a Denver omelette made for her on the spot. She’d never heard of a Denver omelette before. Where even was Denver? … Was John Denver from Denver? …
She started with the omelette, still steaming hot, perfectly cooked. She took a bite. The combination of orange cheese, the little bits of ham and the tart green capsicum. It was rich but somehow not too heavy – it was delicious. It was goddam delicious. God! Leslie had a thought – what if every American city had its own omelette? How would she learn about this? How would Leslie eat them all?