Dave J. Andrae’s The Friends of Allan Renner proposes an intelligent exploration of life through a multi-level, multiperspectival narrative which comes by virtue of Allan Renner’s encounters and discourse with his eclectic assortment of friends.

This book is definitively an offering of food for thought, brimming with revelations about life and people in general. This is a narrative that is provocative in its ideals and shines through its characters, their thoughts, actions and personalities during their congregations with central character Allan Renner often giving a story within a story as their backstories are also very revealing about human nature. Moreover, although this work is a fictional story, the subject matter of their encounters and conversations are realistic, important, and quite often thought provoking with topics such as astrophysics, cosmology, modern culture, racism, film making, futurism, sex, dating, technology, as well as artistic endeavors.

Ultimately, as the story’s protagonist, Allan Renner is an interesting characterization. He is intelligent, amiable, stalwart, a film buff and occasionally, works freelance as a production assistant. Meanwhile, within the seven chapters of the book, each chapter is centered around an encounter with a different friend. Perspectively, life is seen through the diversity of fascinating viewpoints with each acquaintance. Also at play is the diversity of their backstories which allows for a deeper look into their thought processes with the conversations delving into various aspects of the human condition.

First, we meet Akhil Das, a well-degreed high school guidance counselor, astrophysics enthusiast, and unfortunate alcoholic. Akhil and Allan delve into conversation on the topics concerning cosmology and the beginning and end of humanity. Next, we meet Allan’s friend Sadie Guildwood, an attractive middle-aged woman who was once head-vocalist in a semi popular band, as well as social media blogger. Essentially the interaction between Sadie and Allan presents a bit of sexual tension as there is a potential for a romantic encounter between the two that does not materialize but hope for it looms in the air. Their conversations include juxtaposing working in cinema versus working as a musician, the future of humanity, future technology, and Transhumanism. Additionally, there are spates of inner mentations concerning their likes and dislikes about one another. The pace picks up, when the two meet with an acquaintance of Sadie’s that take things on an interesting twist. Moving on to the next friend, we meet Fred, a multiracial African American jazz enthusiast who grew up somewhat privileged. Also a budding film director and teacher, Fred believes in the power of cinema to help people. What makes this chapter stand out is the reactions of characters while waiting for a seasoned criminal to come and audition for a film. The remainder of the book encompasses chapters based on his parents, his pet Havapoo Ruby, as well as pivotal friends Carmen and Xynnulu.

Altogether the people and experiences in the chapters of Allan Renner’s life made for an interesting, nicely paced story, woven with absorbing, complicated characters enmeshed in a creative narrative with scenes of a life that are revelatory, endearing, and pulse racing. I enjoyed The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae; it made for great read, with a storyline that included a nice science fiction twist and I do recommend it for adult readers.

A thoroughly modern man with a variety of fascinating friendships becomes the focus for something entirely different, in this panoramic plot-twister by debut novelist Dave J. Andrae.

It is clear from the beginning that the book’s title is a literal description of its narrative. Told in seven segments as briefly described in the Introduction, Renner’s saga involves the influence of seven presences – one being his rowdy canine companion, the only creature selected to be with him through most of his adventures and misadventures. Andrae introduces Akhil, an Indian semi-mystic who tipsily tips Renner off about the possibility of something like miracles; Sadie, an erstwhile smalltime singing star who has remained attached to Renner over the years; Fred, a cinematographer who encourages and impacts the young man’s artistic bent; Carmen, another musician with the undertones of love ever present in her vibrant persona; Renner’s parents, Phillip and Alice, nurturing their own secret sorrows and hopes for their son; and Ruby, the faithful pooch. One last player in this dynamic tale will appear out of the blue - and Renner will join him there.

Renner, the reader will learn, is a seemingly ordinary human being who attracts extraordinary attention because of his willingness to consider just about every possibility for how life can be organized, freely criticizing hostile and small-minded approaches and, in his own quiet manner, admiring and rewarding the glimmers of love and sharing that come his way. This singular quality, a refusal, it could be said, to mingle with the mob, will take him farther than he could ever have imagined, and the reader will be happy to join him on the journey.

The book begins with the rather dissolute and very hip Renner approaching mid-life and postulating his death and how others might react to it. It ends when others might well imagine that he has passed – but to where? And how? With a fine grasp of dialogue and his filmmaker’s skill for hundreds of swift scene changes, Andrae moves and shakes his hero through lively encounters that will keep the reader wondering what can happen next, and - by the end – begging for a sequel.

Dave J. Andrae’s debut novel, The Friends of Allan Renner, is a surprising, offbeat everyman adventure. Renner, the main character, is a quiet, unassuming man who is approaching his 40th birthday in the mid-2010s. He has undemanding freelance work and no one to worry about except his parents, in whose Florida house he is living, and their new puppy.

Renner keeps in touch with friends across the United States, and it is their eclectic, existential conversations that form the backbone of the novel. As the book smartly bursts conventions of fiction, it keeps the reader guessing what sort of conundrum or escapade might happen next and what might be a meaningful or enjoyable takeaway.

Renner’s friends are all independent thinkers who make their own meaning in life. Akhil, a high school guidance counselor interested in astrophysics, ruminates with him about whether the dinosaurs “could have gone on ruling the planet indefinitely and maybe evolved into something more complex.” Yet it’s only because humans developed exactly as we did that we can reflect on the situation and “size up the apparent unlikelihood of it all,” Renner replies.

With Sadie, who once sang lead vocals for an LA-based rock band, and with Fred, a gifted independent filmmaker, he discusses the meaning of art. He observes a student actor attempt to deliver one of Fred’s character monologues, a script full of accusations like “your petty distress is an insult to people with real problems.”Later enters Carmen with whom he has a torrid, explicitly described affair. The Renner family’s dog—a typical attention-seeking, food-motivated, smelly pooch—is decked out in cute sweaters and doted on.

As the film student’s audition points out, the meaning of a story is profoundly affected by the actor who interprets it. Indirectly, the reader of The Friends of Allan Renner is prompted to consider that these fictional events could have been told in various emotive voices for different purposes. It so happens that Andrae, the novelist, animates this story with a light, absurdist touch and wry detachment.

While there isn’t a conventional conflict that propels the story as a whole, the characters engage in energetic antics, keeping the reader on their toes and always surprised by what happens next. Moreover, the book is rich in philosophical topics about why humans are here on Earth and what kind of art we will choose to make. Readers to whom that appeals will take great interest in the characters’ informal but revealing conversations.

Perspective is ultimately provided by Xynnulu, one of the aliens who abduct Renner and his dog and bring them light-years away from Earth. These aliens, while intelligent, cannot produce music and art of their own, and they are enchanted by everything humans have crafted, right down to “a mass-produced VHS tape of Mrs. Doubtfire.”

Allan Renner is a character we could easily imagine choosing to self-isolate in his parents’ house and fall victim to ennui, but he doesn’t do that. His social connections and his perpetual curiosity in art and the meaning of life give him, though somewhat accidentally, a fascinating trajectory. For him, the possibilities are galactic.

If Allan Paul Renner is anything, it’s affable. Renner was born near the end of the 1970s in Ohio, though he later moved with his parents to Florida. He enjoys films, music, and being kind to delivery drivers. The narrative takes place largely around 2016. Both Donald Trump and Hurricane Irma loom large in the present and near future. On a more personal level, Renner is in store for a few pivotal life changes. The book, though, as the title suggests, provides extensive details about Renner’s acquaintances. There is Akhil Das, an amateur astrophysicist who battles alcoholism and enjoys heavy discussions. Sadie Guildwood was once a singer in a semipopular band in Los Angeles and is now in her 40s and resides in Minnesota. Despite their geographic separation, she and Renner still talk. Fred Seelenfreund is a filmmaker and Renner’s former teacher. He helps Renner discover movies the younger cinephile has never heard of. Philip and Alice are Renner’s kindly parents while Ruby the havapoo (a Havanese-poodle mix) rounds out the family as the lovable dog. Carmen Villela is a beauty who exposes Renner to music he has never heard before while her son, Anxo, shows the protagonist a video game he has never previously played. Readers will follow along as such people move in and out of Renner’s personal orbit. It all winds up leading to a place that will throw even this eclectic group a curveball.

In Andrae’s novel, Renner’s relationships take him to some disparate places. After all, his friends are not just a diverse mix, they also have their own complex, engaging background stories. Whether Renner is having a crossbow pointed at him after talking about films or waiting for a potentially dangerous convict to audition for a part in a movie, the sympathetic hero, no matter how kind and good-natured he may be, has the potential to land in some sticky situations. But there are parts of the tale that lack much in the way of conflict. Renner spends a good deal of the book living at his parents’ home in Florida and enjoying the company of Ruby. He goes so far as to purchase a trailer for his bicycle, which also transports the canine. The purchase and subsequent use of a “medium-sized Pet Safe Solvit HoundAbout” could have been played for laughs or at least some turmoil. But it is not. Man and dog going for a bike ride is simply as much a part of Renner’s life as other activities, such as watching movies. In other words, there are times when there is not a whole lot happening to Renner. Nor is he having much of an impact on the world. But things take a decidedly odd turn in the final pages. Renner’s seemingly tranquil existence ultimately becomes upended in a way that neither he nor his friends could have ever imagined. For the audience, this is the intriguing part. Renner can’t simply enjoy an easy life in Florida forever. What shall disrupt it? The big reveal comes only at the end.

Some portions of this tale drag, yet the likable protagonist’s final destination will surprise readers.

‘The Friends of Allan Renner’ by Dave J Andrae is an intriguing concept. We follow the story of Allan Renner, not directly, but through his connection with a circle of his friends. I liked this as it brings the secondary characters into the foreground, while also revealing more and more about Allan in each chapter. Looking at the chapter headings, named after Allan’s friends, one name in particular does stand out, and without including any spoilers the progression of the philosophical conversations about the past and what technological advances and societal changes could mean for our future in each chapter seems to lead us gradually and naturally to the final chapter. With references throughout the story to a ‘fateful day in 2017’ the plot strolls on, creating intrigue as you try to work out what’s going to happen to Allan. There are elements of science fiction but I think that this book demonstrates most strongly the bonds made by and between people. We read about the human condition when we read about Allan Renner’s connections and interactions with his friends and family. An innovative concept that I feel has been well executed and makes for an interesting read.

Bizarre, fun, cynical, emotional, educational, superficial, entertaining – there are many different adjectives which could be used to describe The Friends of Allan Renner, but its genre might not be quite so easy to pinpoint.  I guess you could categorize it primarily as literary fiction, although some of which occurs is too narrative in style to pigeonhole it as such – furthermore, often the description doesn’t even apply.  The friends of the piece are the very small handful of individuals who are prominent and influential in Allan’s life as he approaches forty, and his sometimes mundane, sometimes unusual and ultimately outright absurd experiences with them.  It is at times laugh-out-loud funny (imagine a stoner web designer going on the rampage with a mace) and at other times heartbreakingly poignant; Andrae is a tremendous author, who manages to pull off all of these different styles and moods.  I think there is an allegory, or underlying metaphorical narrative throughout, but I don’t really know that for sure; if there is, it is a little lost on me.  In this respect, you could perhaps compare some aspects of its connected yet cross-genre anthology feel with a less fantastical and less eventful answer to Cloud Atlas.  

Fundamentally, a tangible sense of French-style arthouse underlies some of the dialogue and discourse, particularly in its continual reference to independent film from around the world, packed full at times with profound analysis of artistic media, reminiscent of any low budget movie from the 90s shot in monochrome (or starring Ethan Hawke).  Of course, you know it is a novel of the times, because it is compulsory for this type of literature to take the occasional swipe at politics (mainly Trump, of course).  The main protagonist can be annoyingly virtuous at times, and if you are sensitively to the right of centre, you might find the odd irritation here (Allan is unsurprisingly a Democrat, who happens to live in Florida, so you can probably predict his social and political bugbears).  But it all really only adds to the layers of his character, which could be described as anxious, self-righteous, traumatized and a fantasist.  Fortunately, this book is as much about the interactions as it is Allan Renner’s personality.  It doesn’t really go anywhere storywise, so just enjoy these encounters.

A good book, extremely well written, which will appeal more to the arthouse (last part excepted) and the high-brow comedic alike.  An easygoing read, which actually felt a fair bit shorter than its lengthy word count.  Its most important quality, though, is that Andrae can really write, and I look forward to his next.

Allan Renner is approaching forty, but in many ways he's never left home. He physically resides in a Florida granny unit above his parents' garage, he has a job as a film production assistant, and he leads a quiet life. The Friends of Allan Renner explores this milieu and the forces which finally lead him away from his roots and predictable security and into new possibilities. 

While in many ways the main character is a mirror of his creator, Dave J. Andrae, the story is narrated from the changing perspectives of not only Renner but eight of Allan's friends. This makes for an astute observation of the evolution of Allan's life and psyche, both from the protagonist's viewpoint and those around him. 

The contrast between Renner's life and choices and those of his friends is excellent, creating a synthesis of life objectives and impressions that explore different processes of maturity, life choices, consequences, and their ultimate end results. 

Like the film community it explores, the pace of this story is provided in staccato impressions with segues that link characters, events, and changing circumstances in a satisfying cinematic-style experience. 

The story opens with Alan's review of a not-unsatisfying, calm life: "Allan Paul Renner knew the drill as he approached his forties: he and everyone else who wasn’t under the gun and faced with the unspeakable were lucky to be alive. He hadn’t always felt this way. In the past, it might have seemed as if human life had been devalued by the world; existence entailed much hassle for such fleeting rewards, and an awful lot was riding on very little. Or maybe very little was riding on an awful lot, he wasn’t sure. Either way there seemed to be a lack of love in the public sphere." 

Allan's adult friends are all very different, from Akhil Das, a high school guidance counselor whom he meets by chance at a ball game both have little interest in attending, to  Fred Seelenfreund, a filmmaker who joins his inner circle. Some of his friends are dogs, such as the faithful Ruby. And some are even stranger, such as Xynnulu, who brings Allan on a universe-hopping journey. 

As The Friends of Allan Renner evolves, readers will find the expansion of friendships and their impact to be delightful. There is no clear, predictable path to the outcomes Allan faces during his romp through life, and thus readers receive no singular approach, as a result. 

From rocky film productions to strategic life moves and world-changing introductions to new ideas, Allan's journey embraces not just psychological but philosophical sea changes that lead him in unexpected growth directions: "How many times have I looked up at that ceiling at night instead of at the stars? That’s the problem with being a person on Earth: you’re almost always confined in some way. We fetter ourselves just as much as the world fetters us, he thought." 

The result is much more than an exploration of middle-age angst, surveying the special kinds of growth friends can influence and foster, and what evolves when a man becomes privy to universe-changing secrets. 

Fans of novels which begin with typical middle age concerns and move into fantastic realms will find The Friends of Allan Renner a multifaceted, delightful read. 

How do past and present decisions affect our future? To what extent do the people we let into our lives influence us? Our acceptance of things seemingly out of the ordinary is a function of our exposure level and the information available to us. In The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae, we see how a middle-aged man is indirectly prepared for a life-changing encounter by the people in his life.

Allan Renner lives a quiet, solitary life, for the most part, spending time with only himself and his dog. As he nears 40 years, he only has a handful of people who play essential roles in his life. In this book, the author reveals these people to us, shows us how he met each of them, and shares how each affected his life and their role in molding his worldview and beliefs. We see his journey through life, learn about him, and learn his eccentricities, tendencies, strengths, faults, and outlook on life.

While reading this book, I felt like I was sailing through a quiet river at night. I found the storyline unique and exciting, and it gave me a "quiet thrill." It had a depth and meaning that appealed to me, and it made me think about some of the moral and ethical issues in our world. I also pondered on the effect of these issues in the grand scheme of things.

I admire the author's writing style; it showed creativity and intellect. He employed an understated wit and humor in his writing. The book had a warm, personable feel that put me at ease while reading it, even though it discussed some issues that might be controversial in certain circles, like extraterrestrial life and recreational drug use.

The author created scenes that were easy to visualize; it was made easier due to his attention to detail. Each scene was life-like, such that the whole book took on the feel of a person who was reminiscing on past experiences. About halfway through the book, I had to go back and check if I was reading fiction or a memoir.

Each character played an essential role in the book. When I started reading, I hoped the characters would be well developed. I was not disappointed in this regard, as each one was unique and real. It felt like they were people who existed. I could easily imagine meeting any of them in real life. This was my favorite aspect of the book.

The book appeared to be professionally edited; I found very few errors. However, there was a little confusion at first with the timelines because the book kept going from one time to another, and I struggled to keep track of the main character's age and circumstances in the first few chapters. The book also contained some culture-specific music, films, books, and brand names that would be unfamiliar to people from other locales. I reckoned they were minor issues and could be easily overlooked. Hence, they did not negatively affect the quality of my reading. Therefore I'd rate this book four out of four stars and recommend it to anybody who wants to read something different from mainstream fiction.

The Friends of Allan Renner is a fun and light-hearted read. Dave J. Andrae’s writing reads much like a television show. The cast of characters that makes up Allan Renner’s circle of friends reminded me so much of the motley crew in the show “The Big Bang Theory.” Each of Renner’s friends brings something interesting to the table and the conversations Renner maintains throughout the book add interest rather than confusion. While the author shares more about Renner’s friends, he reveals the entirety of the character Allan Renner. By the end of the book, the reader knows more about Allan Renner than perhaps any of his friends.

Allan Renner’s friends make up an interesting bunch, and each have their own chapter dedicated to them. As a chapter ends so does the reader’s interaction with the character. Every chapter end feels like the end of a mini-book and the reader is left a feeling of wanting to know more about each particular friend. With this phenomenon Andrae holds a mirror up to the reader’s character and inherent human nature to be curious about other people. I found this an interesting play on human psychology. Andrae has a knack for this and I felt his little mirror being held up throughout various parts of the book.

Though Allan Renner is in his forties and unmarried, he is fortunate. He has a job, a roof over his head, freedom to travel where he likes and maintain his friendships. Though he does not have the glamorized American life with a wife and kids, Andrae shows readers that it is ok! He shows how Renner celebrates being unmarried, how he can entertain himself with various hobbies and outings with friends. Though he is a pessimist, Renner is not dreadful or morose. He is happy for his life and does not mope around dreaming about a different future. He accepts who he is and how his life turned out. There is no saga, no crisis, just a regular man in his forties with a group of friends.

Though I am younger than Allan Renner – I found myself nostalgic for my own pre-family days. I travelled the country visiting my friends and maintained correspondence with a variety of people. I kept up on a variety of hobbies and had friends related to the things I liked to do in my free time. There’s a little bit of Renner in all of us – young or old. Andrae’s book brought me back to my twenties and I enjoyed the short escape it provided. Renner inspires readers to pick up the phone and reach out to old friends, revisit memories, and even pick up new hobbies and interests – regardless of how much time has passed by.

The Friends of Allan Renner is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, quirky fiction, and humor sub-genres, and was penned by author Dave J. Andrae. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains some scenes of a sexual nature, moderate swearing, and violent references. Our protagonist is the titular Mr. Renner, a man in his late thirties who appears, at first glance, to have little direction in life. As Allan sits in his home attached to his parents' house, a cavalcade of interesting friends and acquaintances make their mark on his life, and a strange paranormal twist sends him on a journey to consider the deepest secrets of the universe.

Author Dave J. Andrae has crafted a most engrossing work of fiction that masterfully balances the surreal and the real, the sublime and the ridiculous, to deliver a humorous but poignant look at the meaning of modern life. In terms of its character development, Allan and his friends and family have stacks of personality, complete with engaging unique dialogue, amusing little details and references, and their own slot where they fit into the protagonist’s life and contribute to the overall story. The plot is well crafted to flow naturally between these different encounters, cleverly shifting attention as the larger plot points build up over time and bring the work to a thought-provoking conclusion. Parts of it read like a very engaging stage play, but with all the little detailed trappings to enhance it as a novel. Overall, I would highly recommend The Friends of Allan Renner to fans of unusual fiction and masterful character portraiture.

Readers are welcomed into the most intimate moments of a truly strange existence in The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae, a masterful piece of narrative fiction. Divided into seven very different but interconnected stories, this collection exposes the fascinating inner life of Renner through vignettes of his bizarre relationships. At times a heady blend of philosophy and cultural allusions, this is a dense semi-sci-fi read that cleverly roasts human nature, while also celebrating its temerity and curiosity.

Renner initially reads as an average protagonist, but an ironically extraordinary one, with a whip-smart memory, a deft tongue, and a love for movies and music. Seemingly directionless, these stories capture Renner’s everyman journey from many entertaining angles, as readers track his unlikely rise from stagnation to out-of-this-world heroism. Rarely are foils used so effectively to bring a main character into better light, but the original and variegated relationships on display are revelatory.

There is a tongue-in-cheek brilliance to much of the prose, with a storytelling panache and pacing that is occasionally reminiscent of Chuck Klosterman. There is no better way to bring out childhood fantasies, political alignments and tangential chats about music and movies than getting stoned with a roomful of rockers. In that same vein, digging into the cinematic fascinations of a father reveal a great deal about the inclinations and passions of a son. These authentic forms of exposition, driven purely through friendships and important relationships, is both entertaining and highly effective.

Knowing that Allan Renner isn’t a direct proxy for the author is also enjoyable; this is a fictional memoir of sorts, which leaves room for stories to get a bit out of hand, with high stakes and plot lines that teeter past the edge of believability. However, despite the fictional nature of the prose, the author cleverly makes us forget that this isn’t a true story. The interactions feel too visceral, like real-life conversations overheard in a bar that make us lean back to listen in.

In a book so reliant on relationships, dialogue is critical, and Andrae uses it with incredible skill. The italicized words are expertly chosen, without being distracting, giving readers even more of an insight into the speakers’ personalities. The complexity of the conversations is also notable – the subjects explored range from esoteric cinematic history and conspiratorial prophecies to politics, out-of-body experiences and the looming threat of mortality itself. While some of the stories take a while to heat up and feel a bit directionless to start, the overall draftsmanship is impeccable, revealing a writer who is confident taking his readers on a worthwhile walkabout.

On the technical side, there are very few grammatical errors, but some of the writing could be tightened up with fewer prepositions and more variation in the syntax. The informal voice of the narrator makes the book easy to read, but occasional narrative contradictions and slightly rambling passages could be sharpened or slimmed down to boost impact. That said, the unique story structure deserves praise.

As a whole, The Friends of Allan Renner is a clever and original novel by a confident author who isn’t afraid to let his imagination and erudition run wild.

Andrae debuts with this immersive and complex story, a fine blend of literary fiction and SF. The easy going and careless Allan Renner is approaching forty and currently living in Florida in the guest quarters above his parents’ garage. Trying to find a clear direction, Allan is content working odd jobs as an online copy editor, and occasionally as a production assistant on independent films. A personal tragedy strikes, and Allan is forced to take charge of his own life. With Ruby, his parents’ Havapoo, at his side, Allan goes on about his life until the lovely Carmen, a divorcee and a mother, enters Allan’s life and things seem to be looking up for a while. But the disquiet within is here to stay. A mysterious occurrence brings Allan face to face with an enigmatic stranger, making him realize that there is more to life than basking in the security of the known. Divided into seven very different but interconnected stories, the novel delves into Allan’s inner life through vignettes of his bizarre relationships with others. Readers observe the lives of various people, including friends and family—Akhil, an alcoholic guidance counselor from India with a passion for cosmology, astrophysics, and alcohol; the endearing Sadie, an adventurous blond rock singer approaching her forties who still has enough spark left for men to fight over her; the gifted, driven Fred, a half-black, half-Jewish filmmaker; Allan’s parents: his father Philip who likes to luxuriate in all the fineries the life has to offer, and his mother Alice, a compassionate soul, who understands Allan’s directionless drifting more than Allan himself; Ruby, the adorable Havapoo with her cute doggy-antics; the lovely Carmen, a single mother who brings a new meaning to Allan’s mundane life; and the intriguing Xynnulu, an alien-human hybrid and soldier of fortune who takes Allan on a journey into the unknown to discover the secrets of the universe— and, in doing so, they get themselves acquainted with Allan as a person and observe his confrontations with his loneliness and his fragility as well as his struggles with his insecurities and fears. Readers will delight in Andrae’s affecting worldbuilding, vivid prose, and flawed, full hearted characters. Combining usual tropes of literary fiction such as philosophical concepts, individual struggles, and cultural allusions with a dash of science fiction, Andrae offers plenty for lovers of cross-genre fiction to engage with. This idiosyncratic novel is not for everyone, but the readers with fine literary tastes should find it highly rewarding.