do you do when you're planning to kill yourself Write a diary documenting the thirty days leading up to it, of course.
Except everything devolves into stupid cliches and, eventually, an ridiculous and unsatisfying ending, Read an interesting and compelling blackhumor novel about a newspaper man who decides to kill himself because things are so boring and meaningless.
Some overtones of "Miss Lonelyhearts, " Fast moving and a compelling read, Hard to put down, really, Not nearly as grim as the title and cover suggest it actually turns out to be funny, Some readers say it has overtones of "The Ginger Man" by J, T. Donleavy.
I recommend it especially to former newspaper men amp women who remember the grimy trade, and the weird mixture of physical and mental fatigue that can invade those condemned to be endlessly empathic on paper.
Cynical.
Obese.
Misanthropic.
A Saint
Angus Truax Mr, Misery to his colleagues profiles victims of misfortune, His articles touch hearts and inspire charity, Unfortunately for Angus, he loathes his job, his subjects and his life so much that he decides to end it.
More fool than Hamlet, this unlikely hero jokes his way to the grave, soothing his own despair with rude, audacious honesty.
But even a suicidal hermit can't shut out life completely, Before he can make his exit, one last unlucky soul comes knocking at his door, pleading for help, Angus finds himself in what he calls the world's oldest trap,
To his astonishment, he discovers that his story isn't over yet, Angus Truax is an overweight, middle aged, depressed, and suicidal man, There is a large description to this book that details him more then what I will do, I will say though, this is NOT my cup of tea reading, I love the horror genre and the like, I don't care for this style and therefore gave it astar rating, Now, if your into depressing characters and humorsatire mix, then it's your book, I'm just stating what I prefer, The writing was well done and clean, The story had a "good" ending over the dark tone of it,
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, for an honest review, I received this book free from a Goodreads Giveaway,
I enjoyed reading this book and the author's writing style, I am a fan of dark, depressing literature, I was actually a little disappointed that there was Overall, it was a good quick read, Thought this was going to be a five, Entertaining story and a narrative with wonderful wit,
Examples:
"I tried to fire back a blithe retort, but found the chamber empty, Click!"
"Chubbycheeked, inscrutable, he nodded like a lightly tapped bobblehead, and left, "
It somehow bogged down a bit toward the end, but still retained enough humor, compassion, sorrow and delight to be a good strong four.
Angus, I love you, I love My Impending Death by Michael Laser, despite normally not enjoying suicidal comedy I hated the Elegance of the Hedgehog, for example.
The unlikable protagonist is a selfabsorbed overweight reporter writing sob stories while scorning the victims he portrays, but I still love this book.
When he decides to remove himself from his insignificant life, plots how and when, quits his encumbering commitments, and begins a countdown to the end, I find myself glued to the page.
Then, that certain freedom of a certain destination intervenes, sending reader
and protagonist twisting and turning instead of simply drowning in the water of life.
Author Michael Lasers clean incisive writing turns pathos into dark humor with startling aplomb, The worlds polluted rivers become a surprising metaphor for lifes ebb and flow, its darkness, and its hidden destination.
Soon, misanthropic, cynical Angus Trau might find his overweight body inclined to float instead of sinking down, But a stubborn man must surely stick to the plan,
“Were quite a pair arent we” he muses, trying to help the unhelpable, “Shes going to die and doesnt want to, I want to die, but must wait, ” Meanwhile “inner crocuses rashly spread their petals. ”
This is a tale where humor sets just the right pace, and is perfectly balanced by irony, determination and folly.
Its a tale where fate renders solemn prediction so evocative, mythical, and perfectly grounded, And its a tale where Angus Traus bad timing is perfectly matched by the authors welltuned plot, The soloist plays his melody in the symphony of community and honest, endearing humor overcomes the bleakness of the premise from first page to enthrallingly wonderful final word.
I love this book!
Disclosure: I was given a free preview edition by the publisher,
LOL funny. . sweet and surprising twists! I write novels for adults and younger readers, I live in New Jersey, just a few miles west of Manhattan, where I spent my bachelor years,kidswifecats andgoldfish still going strong, since! The goldfish, that is, For biographical details, including childhood photos, favorite books, and assorted odds ends, come visit me at my website, michaellaser.
com. P. S. If you write me a note, Ill answer it send email to michaelmichaellaser, com. I write novels for adults and younger readers, I live in New Jersey, just a few miles west of Manhattan, where I spent my bachelor years,kidswifecats andgoldfish still going strong, since! The goldfish, that is, For biographical details, including childhood photos, favorite books, and assorted odds ends, come visit me at my website, michaellaser.
com. P. S. If you write me a note, I'll answer it send email to michaelmichaellaser, com. sitelink.