Wonderfully implausible and absurdly humorous, the latest novel from a Goldsmiths Prize-winner follows a rich tradition . As If is a great step forward, a maturing of Waidner's talent with no loss of the quixotic qualities that gave the other books their charm . It adds depth without sacrificing energy . Kafka and Beckett are good touchstones, because, like Waidner, they are very funny without telling obvious jokes . the language in As If never does what we expect . it gives the story an impressive dynamism.