No, that's not the swimmer. It's a pathetic guy who can't get over the Smiths. He takes us back into the teenage world of the 80's when the Smiths could explain everything and save the whole world.

He writes about a poor little rich boy who can't make sense of his life without following the counter-culture movement with religious fervor.

If you ever suddenly threw out your whole wardrobe because of a new album, you will identify.

If you're like me, though, you will feel slightly sick to your stomach at the shallow angst of a Long Island jewish kid who knows so little about what's important in life.

Which is not to say I didn't like the book. It really grabs you. The story starts when the guy is already an adult, working for a rock magazine and trying to retain his hip youthfulness.

Through a series of convoluted yet rapid leaps, he comes to the conclusion that his whole life will start to make sense if he can get the Smiths back together for a reunion performance.

And more important than getting his life to make sense is getting the girl of his obsessions to be his.

If you were a fan of the Smiths, you should read the book. Like I said, despite it's stomach turning quotient, it is very readable.