Review of Fill The Gaps

Post by **Ami Sanghavi** » 25 Apr 2025, 14:06

[Following is a volunteer review of "Fill The Gaps" by Andrew Johnston.]

4 out of 5 stars

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Adulthood is not an easy phase and comes with its set of problems. There is so much going on, and relations keep taking a toss. There is disillusionment and fractured friendships, and there is a constant pressure of financial stability. All of this and much more is captured in this book titled Fill The Gaps by Andrew Johnston.

The novel mainly centers on Isaac, a sharp-tongued and restless man who is dealing with many things in his life, such as personal failure, a failed relationship, and a sense of inadequacy. As a means to get out of all this, he instead spirals even deeper into it through failed job interviews, getting involved in petty crime with a guy called Cullen, and much more. His world has become increasingly chaotic and inwardly tangled.

I felt that the author did a good job of bringing out the textures of everyday life with precision and nuance. Isaac's character sketch has been perfectly brought out through his interactions with his roommates and others. The main focus of the book is on the character rather than the plot, and Isaac's inner turmoil always remains front and center.

I liked how the book effectively captured the drifting, sometimes toxic equations between friends who have grown apart but are just holding on to each other out of habit, guilt, or memories. The interactions between Will, Isaac, and Lyle felt really striking at times and too real. I also liked the fact that the author kept Isaac's character raw and did not hide his worst traits, like his arrogance, insecurities, or passive-aggressive nature.

The book also captured the anxious aimlessness that comes from doing ‘everything right’ and still feeling stuck. This is something that a lot of people in the modern age face and go through. I thought this was nicely brought out by the author.

I don't have any criticisms or dislikes for the book as such. However, I do feel that it is a bit offbeat, and not everyone will like it. There is a chance that it might feel a little abrupt as well. If you are someone who wants a plot in a novel, then this book is not for you. I personally enjoyed it because I do enjoy these kinds of novels.

Considering my personal likes for the book, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I took out a star because it was not the best book. It was good, but there is surely room for improvement with respect to shifts in the tone being smoother than abrupt. The editing was really amazing, as I did not find any errors.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading character-driven stories.

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Fill The Gaps
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