A collection of short stories interspersed with a series of the adventures of Frank and Philby, two students who meet at med school. Many of the stories are hilarious, while some verge on the surreal.

The adventures of Frank and Philby follow their first meeting at med school and how their friendship started, and after a number of funny and often embarrassing incidents to the final instalment when the two young men are in their thirties and somehow involves fish and Keanu Reeves. Frank and Philby are two opposites, Frank super cool - and although he often gets it wrong he still manages to get the girl, while Philby has a confidence problem and never seems to have success. But they make a team, and an inseparable pair. (Frank and Philby's adventures of their 5th year at med school are told at length in Nick Earls' World of chickens)

Other stories feature the problems of sharing an apartment with a jealous unicorn, lions that roam the wards at night, a guy who fixates on the woman who cuts his hair, the family in witness protection that cannot settle, a shopping mall that appears to go on forever, and the man who wants to change his name, to the more thoughtful story about the young student with a heat condition.

Nick Earl has a great sense for the comic especially where it concerns young men and their preoccupations. But there is also a touch of satire to be found here and a sure perceptiveness. The writing is confident and assured, the stories varied but always entertaining, a worthwhile read. ( )

Short stories. ( )