Rubber Soul

Liverpudlian Bobby "Dust Bin Bob" Dingle's carefully scavenged collection of R&B singles, procured from visiting Merchant Marines, provides an escape from his loutish step-brothers, two thugs destined for jail or worse. The records also provide a common bond between Bobby and the members of a group then called Long John and the Silver Beatles, a bond that will endure across two decades. As the years pass, Bobby and the Beatles cross paths many times. Bobby finds love and true family in America while the Beatles embrace fame across the world. Bobby's past and the Beatles' hubris will unite in a violent climax in Ferdinand Marcos' Philippines. Kihn's affection for his subject matter is undeniable, as is his knowledge of the Beatles, but that combination is not enough to create a convincing and engaging narrative. Inserting a fictional character into the lives of well-documented celebrities like the Beatles can be tricky. Bobby's relationship with the Beatles never feels authentic, his step-brother's recurring role as antagonist to the musicians feels forced, and the prose is mediocre. The unconvincing narrative combined with the historical details suggests the author's talents might be best focused in non-fiction. Agent: Judy Coppage, The Coppage Company. (Sept.)