Set largely in rural Kentucky, Fulfillment tells the story of two half-brothers whose lives have taken dramatically different paths. Emmett works at a vast distribution centre, struggles with debt and dreams of being a scriptwriter, dreams that have so far failed to materialise. Joel has become a successful writer and academic, and is married to Alice. When the brothers meet again for the first time after many years, their contrasting circumstances make for a volatile dynamic, not helped by their mother’s obvious favouritism towards Joel. Against this family background, Cole explores broader societal issues, as the characters are caught between reality and their aspirations and the larger forces that shape their lives. It’s a wonderfully perceptive and nuanced exploration of class, family, economics and work, and what fulfilment actually means. The characters are fully rounded and relatable, and the dialogue is authentic. It’s a convincing portrait of contemporary life, and although I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Cole’s debut novel, it’s still a very fine piece of work, convincing overall if a little predictable at times, thought-provoking and relevant.

'Fulfillment' is another perceptive and illuminating novel about America today from the author of the excellent 'Groundskeeping'. Lee Cole returns to the Kentucky setting of his first novel and once again engages with class, the American Dream and America's current political faultlines through its three young protagonists: Emmett, a college dropout and budding screenwriter who finds himself working at a thinly-veiled version of an Amazon fulfillment centre; his half-brother Joel, a cultural critic whose first book, 'Going South' about the South's economic decline, has been a viral hit; and Joel's wife, Alice, a philosophy student who dreams of having land on which to start a farm.

Joel and Alice are back in Kentucky and living with Joel's mother Kathy, whose QAnon conspiracy theories clash with Joel's middle-class progressive values - the personal is always political and vice versa in the novel. But it is really the tension between Joel and Emmett who are back in each other's lives, and the growing closeness between Alice and Emmett, which drives the novel forward. Alongside this compelling intimate human drama, Cole includes insightful reflections on money and capitalism - for instance, after Emmett is exposed to a possibly toxic chemical at work, considers what it would be like to have more financial security:

"People with money never did this, never wondered what doctor to see. This is what money was for. It spared you from these chains of thought. It spared you from unplanned exposures, from clinic doctors, from contamination and defect and the accumulation of small injuries. It spared you from the immense danger of common life. This is what he longed for. The word "money" was only a placeholder. His longing sprang from an ancient communion of longing. It was his but did not belong to him wholly. A thousand generations had longed for the same thing, in some other form, and it was carried now in his blood and marrow."

This is one of the best novels I have read about America's current political situation. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

wow Lee Cole is one of the best ive read in recent times. im so glad i get to read both of the books i have from him. how he does it i dont know. there is a depth there. as if he knows these characters or is living amongst them as he writes. because every thought and movement feels too real,so real.
this is the story about so much more than you think it will be going in. but as you expect with Lee Cole you knows its going to move you in all the ways you want it to going in. and what makes it so great it this is about a family. and exactly what can and do go on in families. its not some grandeur plot. its real. and you believe in what you are reading. im glad this isnt every family of course, ha. and not mine. but you read it as if it could be.
the book gives you two brothers who find themselves coming home. they are both in their own ways Unfulfilled. and its not made them into the sweetest of humans. they are both different and seem to hate who each of them are. there is resentment and misunderstanding all around. Joel is home to continue with his Phd. he is self satisfied and extremely up himself.he brings his wife who is feeling the strain of a life she rushed into and isnt giving her anything at all. she is beyond disatisified with her situation. and yearns for something more. enter the other brother. uneasy in his own life Emmett revolves around his shame at feeling hes failed, well definitely compared to his brother. hes back in the family home after low wage jobs has led him to another one working in a warehouse. hes also yearning for something more. and of course two yearning bodies around eachother might just make a few huge mistakes of how to get over that. and of course they do!
but nothing goes to plan, noone stays unharmed in what comes next and noone is fixing their problems by their current behaviour.
its a brilliant book. a deep look behind the door of this house where there is external and internal factors leading to whats all brought them their and keeping them in this very vicious set of circles.
another brilliant read for me. its not pleasant., it doesnt feel hopeful or cozy but its better because of that.

I loved Cole's debut 'Groundskeeping' and leapt at the chance to read this - so I am very grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of 'Fulfillment'.

Cole's writing is brilliant, in my opinion. This novel is about Emmett who works in a fulfillment centre (similar, I guess, to a behemoth like Amazon) in Kentucky. He isn't particularly close to his more academic, older brother, Joel, and he feels that his mother, Kathy, favours the older of the two siblings. When Joel and Alice arrive back in Kentucky from New York for Joel's teaching job at a university, it becomes apparent that things are not too good between the couple.

Seemingly, Alice is quite different to Joel and, eventually, they drift apart. Much to the detriment of the couple, but the pleasure of Emmett and Alice, they start sleeping together and arranging illicit meet-ups. Eventually, it all crumbles and they get found out. One thinks that Alice and Emmett are going to live happily ever after but this is not the case - instead, Alice is left alone and Emmett moves to LA to pursue his screen-writing dream.

This is a perfect contemporary novel for me and I love the way readers are taken on a journey with this family. I think this is superior to 'Groundskeeping' and I look forward to reading more by Lee Cole in the future.

Very well written, with relatable characters and well-constructed dialogue resulting in a very disturbing — but also satisfying — storyline covering some important issues ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fulfillment by Lee Cole evokes how a love triangle impacts the already strained relationship between half-brothers and through that we see these characters all struggling with how to feel fulfilled in their lives which is something I think everyone can relate to.

Cole explores the malaise so present today through the lens of Emmett Shaw, his brother Joel, and sister in law Alice. In post-pandemic Kentucky, these flawed characters fumble through their lives best as they can, for better or for worse

Absolutely wonderful. Best book read so far this year. Not totally likeable characters but so well written that you easily identify with their needs and challanges.

It took me a while to get into this book and then by the end I was left a bit unsatisfied, but overall it does have some good elements and I enjoyed it. It tackles some important issues such as politics, mental health, and family relationships. I just wish it was a bit more punchy and engaging.

Lee Cole’s debut, Groundskeeping, was one of my books of the year back in 2022 raising hopes high for his second novel which sees two half-brothers returning to their Kentucky home. Emmett finds a job in a vast distribution centre, unloading cargo to be sent out to customers throughout the country, much of it ephemeral tat. Joel has moved into his mother’s home, one step up from a trailer, on a short-term teaching gig, along with his wife, Alice, who has no reason to stay in their New York home, still drifting from one dream to another rather like Emmett whose latest idea is to become a screenwriter. Both brothers have their own particular messes to deal with: Joel self-medicating a depression precipitated by his father’s suicide and Alice’s obvious discontent with their marriage; Emmett unable to stifle his envy of his brother’s supposed success in the face of his own failure. When Alice and Emmett acknowledge their attraction, things can only get worse.
Cole’s narrative shifts between Emmett and Joel, tackling capitalism, discontent, right-wing politics and its attendant paranoia in a novel which views the state of the nation through the lens of one family. Cole handles the rivalry between the bothers well and there are some very pleasing digs at modern life backed up with strong characterisation, but I found this one less satisfying than his previous novel.