Click on the covers for details on each novel
Norman Bray in the Performance of His Life
Short-listed for: The 2004 Governor General's Award
Short-listed for: The Commonwealth Writer's Prize for Best First Book (Canada & Carib.)
Long-listed for: The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Adapted for Radio & Audio Book.
Optioned for Film
Teetering on the edge of financial ruin and clinging to the faded light of his career, Norman must answer to the bank, his family, and, most of all, his own illusions about himself.... Skewering and darkly funny, yet poignant and tender, Norman Bray in the Performance of his Life explores the fragility of ego and the precarious ties of love and family, while finding the humanity and black comedy in the plight of a man who has reached the end of the line — and has only himself to blame.
Short-listed for: The 2004 Governor General's Award
Short-listed for: The Commonwealth Writer's Prize for Best First Book (Canada & Carib.)
Long-listed for: The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Adapted for Radio & Audio Book.
Optioned for Film
Teetering on the edge of financial ruin and clinging to the faded light of his career, Norman must answer to the bank, his family, and, most of all, his own illusions about himself.... Skewering and darkly funny, yet poignant and tender, Norman Bray in the Performance of his Life explores the fragility of ego and the precarious ties of love and family, while finding the humanity and black comedy in the plight of a man who has reached the end of the line — and has only himself to blame.
"A triumph"
"fine writing .... a triumph for Trevor Cole."
— Maclean's
"A book to be cherished"
"Brilliant and side-splitting funny.... a remarkable achievement, a book to be cherished both for the depths of its ironies and the breadth of its responsiveness.
— Books in Canada
"Very, very funny"
"Norman's performance is filled with giddy surprises and wonderful set pieces. The book is smart and deft; it zips along. This is fine writing, with a light and generous touch."
— The Globe and Mail
"Sparkling"
"Trevor Cole, in his debut novel, has created a character as complex, infuriating, unpleasant and funny as any we've seen in a long time."
— Montreal Gazette
"It's really good"
"Cole belongs to the Truman Capote school of stylists; his prose is clear as a mountain stream."
— Toronto Star
"fine writing .... a triumph for Trevor Cole."
— Maclean's
"A book to be cherished"
"Brilliant and side-splitting funny.... a remarkable achievement, a book to be cherished both for the depths of its ironies and the breadth of its responsiveness.
— Books in Canada
"Very, very funny"
"Norman's performance is filled with giddy surprises and wonderful set pieces. The book is smart and deft; it zips along. This is fine writing, with a light and generous touch."
— The Globe and Mail
"Sparkling"
"Trevor Cole, in his debut novel, has created a character as complex, infuriating, unpleasant and funny as any we've seen in a long time."
— Montreal Gazette
"It's really good"
"Cole belongs to the Truman Capote school of stylists; his prose is clear as a mountain stream."
— Toronto Star
The Fearsome Particles
Short-listed for: The 2006 Governor General's Literary Award
Long-listed for: The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Adapted for: Radio
Optioned for: Film
"Trevor Cole has masterminded a densely-layered tale that sensitively peels away the complex facades of the individual members of a small, excruciatingly contemporary family, to reveal their (and our) most intimate fears and vulnerable desires" — The Governor General's Award jury statement
Trevor Cole’s debut novel garnered rave reviews and comparisons to Truman Capote and Kingsley Amis. Now the Governor General’s Award finalist is back with an exceptional novel that captures a family at its crucial turning point, as a father faces the limits of what he can do to protect the people he loves.
Hear Trevor reading from The Fearsome Particles
Hear an in-depth interview at Bookninja
Short-listed for: The 2006 Governor General's Literary Award
Long-listed for: The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Adapted for: Radio
Optioned for: Film
"Trevor Cole has masterminded a densely-layered tale that sensitively peels away the complex facades of the individual members of a small, excruciatingly contemporary family, to reveal their (and our) most intimate fears and vulnerable desires" — The Governor General's Award jury statement
Trevor Cole’s debut novel garnered rave reviews and comparisons to Truman Capote and Kingsley Amis. Now the Governor General’s Award finalist is back with an exceptional novel that captures a family at its crucial turning point, as a father faces the limits of what he can do to protect the people he loves.
Hear Trevor reading from The Fearsome Particles
Hear an in-depth interview at Bookninja
"Reminiscent of Carol Shields"
"At his best, Cole's writing is reminiscent of that of Carol Shields: he can be hilariously funny and profoundly serious at the same time."
— Montreal Gazette
"Smart and perceptive"
"Cole is an experienced, award-winning journalist as well as one of the best young novelists in this country, and he's done his homework."
— The Globe and Mail
"most entertaining ..."
The Fearsome Particles is one of the most entertaining novels I've read this year.... Its power comes from its narrowing of focus, and from Cole's significant strengths as a writer.
— The National Post
"A major talent"
... subtle black humour, a sprinkling of pathos and large doses of human failing.... With writing like this, Trevor Cole is quickly gaining a reputation as a major talent, deservedly so.
— Edmonton Journal
"At his best, Cole's writing is reminiscent of that of Carol Shields: he can be hilariously funny and profoundly serious at the same time."
— Montreal Gazette
"Smart and perceptive"
"Cole is an experienced, award-winning journalist as well as one of the best young novelists in this country, and he's done his homework."
— The Globe and Mail
"most entertaining ..."
The Fearsome Particles is one of the most entertaining novels I've read this year.... Its power comes from its narrowing of focus, and from Cole's significant strengths as a writer.
— The National Post
"A major talent"
... subtle black humour, a sprinkling of pathos and large doses of human failing.... With writing like this, Trevor Cole is quickly gaining a reputation as a major talent, deservedly so.
— Edmonton Journal