Book review . . . The Intern by Dillion Khan

The Intern is the latest must read book, we asked Spinebreakers reviewer Mikal for his expert opinion on Dillon Khan's very first novel . . .

Are you experienced? ? ?

By Mikal Usman

It’s a tough world out there for young people. With a million unemployed and things looking no brighter, it’s no wonder that ascending writer Dillon Khan has delivered a novel fighting young people’s corner, as well as providing us with a comprehensive and detailed look at the cutthroat world of internships. 

The Intern, set in the year 2000, tells the tale of an aspiring music journalist, Jay Merchant, and the experiences he has interning at a global music television corporation (ring any bells?) The Beat; a story relevant to all young people today in such a competitive world. 

Despite this being Khan’s first foray into the world of novel-writing, he delivers a coherent and action-packed tale, taking us from a kebab house in North London to Las Vegas as smoothly as any author could.

At the heart of The Intern is a deep love, and passion for music and its world, which is evident throughout, filling it with energy and passion, not out of place in a Notting Hill vintage record shop. This adds gravity to the story, and gives it another angle of approach; as well as one young man’s struggle for a permanent job, as well as a whole nations struggle for a permanent job. 

The Intern, I feel, is one of the most eye-opening books I have ever had the pleasure of devouring, despite being set 12 years before, the issues it deals with are the same facing young Britain now, and by extension, myself.

However, nothing is perfect and The Intern is no exception. Although a brilliant read, the setting of the book (12 years ago) may confuse some readers, it may have been easier to set it in the present day, although I do appreciate that 2000 was a dawn of a new millennium, and a new era in terms of music.

In conclusion, the book is approachable from so many different angles, The Intern, if lucky, could be a complete game changer, but most of all it’s a great read.

 

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