Book Review: Tuesday by Lou Gibbons

Reviewed by Elizabeth Stargiotti

Offbeat, atmospheric, and surreal: a modern fable for the age of corporate burnout that grants you permission to go after what you want

Lou Gibbons’ Tuesday is a bold and ambitious blend of corporate satire, modern fairytale, and existential midlife-crisis drama.

The first in a series set to explore the seven deadly sins through the lens of everyday life, this novel follows Dave Welch—a former rugby player turned reluctant civil servant faced with an unrelenting boss, a wife he suspects of infidelity, a son he barely knows anymore, and three weeks to turn it all around. Unsure of where he stands—or even what he wants—Dave’s only hope at a sense of normalcy is to find a company willing to plant roots in Wales or lose his job, and possibly more.

When a promising (if questionably serendipitous) lead from an American supplier lands in his inbox, Dave can’t quite believe his luck; but when an unexpected invitation to an Icelandic Greentech conference brings him face to face with the mysterious, fantastical Sal, Dave’s ambitions are confronted with his morals and something even more powerful: the discovery of the person Dave himself wants to be.

Painted in lyrical prose, Tuesday is packed with immersive descriptions that drop the reader directly into the scene. Whether it’s the fluorescent dread of corporate life or the lush rendering of the wilds of Iceland, as strong sense of atmosphere brings the settings and story to life. Though the intricacies of business operations are at times under-explored and the characters—greedy capitalists, smarmy politicians—occasionally archetypical, the sincere exploration of environmental sustainability, the wry humor, and the ultimately hopeful message give readers much more to appreciate. Additionally, Gibbons’ witty style is packed with cultural references and moments of levity that make its heavier themes like burnout, greenwashing, and personal failure feel approachable and even conquerable.

As a protagonist, Dave can be somewhat self-indulgent and even frustrating in the way he is characterized early on. But for those who enjoy a true character transformation, this won’t be a deterrent. Dave is a man paralyzed by expectation and bureaucracy, forced to confront who he has become, what he has lost in the process, and who he still can be if he chases what he truly wants.

Plot-wise, Gibbons isn’t afraid to keep readers guessing. Just when you think you know where the book is headed, it swerves. At times operatic in character and relationship development, the quick pacing encourages engagement and investment in Dave’s increasingly dramatic day-to-day as his inner conflicts and the unpredictable nature of life collide.

Ultimately, though, this unpredictability is what allows the true message of Tuesday to shine: that no matter what life throws at you, it is always possible to change course and choose the life you want rather than the one you’ve been handed.

This book rewards patience, slowly guiding us from irritation with Dave’s inertia toward a grudging sympathy and ultimately admiration for the way he begins to confront the forces holding him back. It captures the isolation and disorientation of being stuck in a life that no longer fits.

For readers interested in quirky, thoughtful stories about burnout, self-reinvention, and the strange magic hiding in everyday life, Tuesday is a promising and enriching start to what looks like an excellent series.

Thank you for reading Elizabeth Stargiotti’s book review of Tuesday by Lou Gibbons! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post Book Review: Tuesday by Lou Gibbons appeared first on Independent Book Review.