A review by jdgcreates
My American Unhappiness, by Dean Bakopoulos
3.0
If the title or the beautiful cover doesn't pull you in on this book, then the very clever writing probably will do the trick. Zeke Pappas is, as far as I can tell, an unusual young man of 34: he is witty, conscientious, and considerate. He is also horny and conflicted and so all to common among his gender.
Whereas I would probably be horrified to read a similar non-fiction account by a man his age (see "Honeymoon with My Brother"), I was thoroughly entertained--charmed, even--by his tale of staunch denial, improbable marriage planning, and heartbreaking family life. This is not an outrageous book; it is everything it is, but gently so--you won't laugh so hard you snort in a public place, but you will feel your heart open up to this story and to Zeke.
Here's an early passage that clued me into the understated savvy of our protagonist while he flips out on teenage drivers racing down the street where his two young nieces are playing in the yard:
"As a man of average size and limited physical prowess, I have long ago learned that insanity is far more intimidating than size or strength. Nobody, if you will, fucks with a crazy man."
I did marvel, once again, at the constant sexual appraisal system that is the male brain(s), and am even more convinced that it is better to take our chances as a woman than to see every single female on a "Yes" or "No" level. It must be utterly exhausting to be a man. Fortunately, I only read about it.
Whereas I would probably be horrified to read a similar non-fiction account by a man his age (see "Honeymoon with My Brother"), I was thoroughly entertained--charmed, even--by his tale of staunch denial, improbable marriage planning, and heartbreaking family life. This is not an outrageous book; it is everything it is, but gently so--you won't laugh so hard you snort in a public place, but you will feel your heart open up to this story and to Zeke.
Here's an early passage that clued me into the understated savvy of our protagonist while he flips out on teenage drivers racing down the street where his two young nieces are playing in the yard:
"As a man of average size and limited physical prowess, I have long ago learned that insanity is far more intimidating than size or strength. Nobody, if you will, fucks with a crazy man."
I did marvel, once again, at the constant sexual appraisal system that is the male brain(s), and am even more convinced that it is better to take our chances as a woman than to see every single female on a "Yes" or "No" level. It must be utterly exhausting to be a man. Fortunately, I only read about it.