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The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea: Stories of Love, Marriage, and the Quiet Crises of Midlife
Here is a story collection about love, death, humor, and the glue called family. In one narrative, a man wakes up one morning to find the odor of dead fish won't go away, but no one else can smell it. In another, a couple's visit with friends to watch the Academy Awards has the protagonist envying his friends' lawn and lifestyle. In these and eleven other stories, Christopher Meeks balances tragedy and wit. As novelist David Scott Milton explains, "In this collection, Christopher Meeks examines the small heartbreaks of quiet despair that are so much a part of all our lives. He does it in language that is resonant, poetic, and precise.... If you like Raymond Carver, you'll love Meeks. He may be as good--or better."
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2005
About the author
Christopher Meeks
27 books80 followersChristopher Meeks first published short stories in such literary journals as Rosebud, The Clackamas Literary Review, The Santa Barbara Review, The Southern California Anthology, and The Gander Review. His stories are now available in two collections, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and Months and Seasons. He has four novels: The Brightest Moon of the Century, a story that Marc Schuster of Small Press Reviews describes as "a great and truly humane novel in the tradition of Charles Dickens and John Irving," his comic novel, Love At Absolute Zero. In addition, he has published two acclaimed crime books, Blood Drama and A Death in Vegas.
He began as a playwright and has had three plays produced. Who Lives? A Drama is published.
He began as a playwright and has had three plays produced. Who Lives? A Drama is published.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 13, 2008
I liked that these stories are rich in perfectly telling details but surprisingly succinct as well. They cut to the quick. I was moved and/or saddened by each story--so much so that I couldn't read any of them back to back. Maybe it has to do with how Meeks reminds me of Raymond Carver if Raymond Carver was funny and not so hung up on the sauce, but these stories require the same kind of lengthy refractory period as Carver's. I find that interesting. After reading one, I'm trapped somewhere between serious pontification and outright silent grieving, and it goes without saying, my cereal becomes soggy.
For example, the last four sentences of the four-page "Green River" illustrate Mr. Meeks' masterful conciseness while also showcasing an almost tragicomical range of emotions:
"At this point, Harry was extolling the virtues of Nutrageous over the Salted Nut Bar again, and he earnestly asked me if I thought my chocolate was really better. I realized in that moment, as I looked over at the van and saw a ghostly reflection of me inside my own windshield, that no matter how much hope you have, it cannot weave happiness. I touched Harry's shoulder and told him as far as candy bars were concerned, go with your own impressions. Do what you have to do."
Anywho, my only words of advice are addressed to the worrywarts, weak of heart, the anxious and the like. Heed ye this warning: This book is concerned with sickness and in great quantity. Characters are quite often dealing with disease, caught in the process of dying, or grappling with the threat of sudden and undeserved illness. Hypochondria is at least sharing the role of king in this collection. And what is the second theme on the throne? I think maybe the notion that bad things will happen--that love is a word whose meaning is unwritten.
For example, the last four sentences of the four-page "Green River" illustrate Mr. Meeks' masterful conciseness while also showcasing an almost tragicomical range of emotions:
"At this point, Harry was extolling the virtues of Nutrageous over the Salted Nut Bar again, and he earnestly asked me if I thought my chocolate was really better. I realized in that moment, as I looked over at the van and saw a ghostly reflection of me inside my own windshield, that no matter how much hope you have, it cannot weave happiness. I touched Harry's shoulder and told him as far as candy bars were concerned, go with your own impressions. Do what you have to do."
Anywho, my only words of advice are addressed to the worrywarts, weak of heart, the anxious and the like. Heed ye this warning: This book is concerned with sickness and in great quantity. Characters are quite often dealing with disease, caught in the process of dying, or grappling with the threat of sudden and undeserved illness. Hypochondria is at least sharing the role of king in this collection. And what is the second theme on the throne? I think maybe the notion that bad things will happen--that love is a word whose meaning is unwritten.
February 29, 2016
The Audible version is narrated by the author, Christopher Meeks, himself. It includes 13 quintessential short stories about the human condition. With his trademark sense of humor and quirky, yet realistic characters, Meeks takes us on a journey through the lives of his characters and we even a glimpse into ourselves.
Many people who claim not to like short stories, usually say because they don't feel complete. I dare naysayers of Short stories to read this book. Okay, so the endings aren't wrapped up in nice neat bows but neither is real life. "They all lived happily ever after" are the kind of stories we tell children to make them feel safe and secure.
These stories have kernels of truth hidden within them. They cover, marriage, middle age, and old age. The thread throughout is human relationships and how we dealt with them. Of course, this wouldn't be a Christopher Meeks book, if there weren't some references to pop culture sprinkled with in.
Usually, I find short stories in a collection hit and miss however, 'The Middle-aged Man and the Sea', is quite an even collection. I really loved them all.
As for the narration, it was good. There were a few places that you could hear the wetness that can accumulate in ones mouth. I haven't detected this when I have listened to a more seasoned narrator. However, with practice, I believe Christoper Meeks could go from good to great with his narration skills. I hope he records more of his books.
I received a free download code for the Audible version for my honest review.
Many people who claim not to like short stories, usually say because they don't feel complete. I dare naysayers of Short stories to read this book. Okay, so the endings aren't wrapped up in nice neat bows but neither is real life. "They all lived happily ever after" are the kind of stories we tell children to make them feel safe and secure.
These stories have kernels of truth hidden within them. They cover, marriage, middle age, and old age. The thread throughout is human relationships and how we dealt with them. Of course, this wouldn't be a Christopher Meeks book, if there weren't some references to pop culture sprinkled with in.
Usually, I find short stories in a collection hit and miss however, 'The Middle-aged Man and the Sea', is quite an even collection. I really loved them all.
As for the narration, it was good. There were a few places that you could hear the wetness that can accumulate in ones mouth. I haven't detected this when I have listened to a more seasoned narrator. However, with practice, I believe Christoper Meeks could go from good to great with his narration skills. I hope he records more of his books.
I received a free download code for the Audible version for my honest review.
February 1, 2009
'You were just around for a series of coincidences and then you died.'
Christopher Meeks bounces onto the literary scene as a vibrant new voice filled with talent and imagination. THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN & THE SEA is one of the finer collection of short stories that will rapidly rise to the top to of the heap of a battery of fine writers of this difficult medium.
Meeks writes about all the little bumps and stumbling blocks we all face in our contemporary journey through life. His stories deal with broken marriages, fractured dreams, death, brain damage, isolation, envy, frustrated communication - all topics that hardly sound like fodder for interesting stories, but in Meeks' polished hands these topics become the conversation of life in society today. They contain keen humor, pain as well as tenderness, and insights into topics that most other writers consider taboo.
There isn't a weak story in the thirteen works here, most having been published in literary magazines prior to this book form. 'Green River' is a family outing that reveals the dissolution of companionship in a few terse pages. 'He's Home' is a quick tale of a man, probably cyclothymic or bipolar, bringing flowers home to his wife only to find she has left him: his response to this lonely discovery explains the probable reasons for her departure. Meeks is able to travel back in time to explore personal idiosyncrasies as in 'The Rotary' and in 'Dear Ma'. In the latter he also manages to take us inside the mind of a failing senile woman (?Alzheimer's victim?) and is written with such finesse and grace that we actually find ourselves thinking in the way Dear Ma's deteriorating mind works. It is a jewel of a story. 'The Fundamentals of Nuclear Dating' is a funny tale that holds a bite and says a lot about our 21st century computer driven dating (read data gathering) consequences. 'Engaging Ben' is as keen an observation of current bonding as any story out there. Et cetera for the rest of the tales.
The odd and strangely wonderful and unique aspect of these is not only the fine writing of a terrific wordsmith, it is also the fact that Meeks is asking us or inviting us to look at the darker things in our lives that go bump in the night. Life in Meeks' stories is full of random coincidences that, depending on our state of vulnerability vs our state of awareness, can either uncover hidden pain or turn on a light to illuminate the elected darkness in which we have chosen to live. He peoples his stories with variations of us and our extended family of humanity and turns us inside out, showing us how our microsecond of life on this planet can be a time of significance or inadvertently squandered.
Biting and sassy, eloquent and intelligent, this collection of short stories is excellent reading. Meeks knows his craft: these tiny microcosms of living offer proof that his novels, soon to come, will be works to watch. Very Highly Recommended.
Grady Harp
Christopher Meeks bounces onto the literary scene as a vibrant new voice filled with talent and imagination. THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN & THE SEA is one of the finer collection of short stories that will rapidly rise to the top to of the heap of a battery of fine writers of this difficult medium.
Meeks writes about all the little bumps and stumbling blocks we all face in our contemporary journey through life. His stories deal with broken marriages, fractured dreams, death, brain damage, isolation, envy, frustrated communication - all topics that hardly sound like fodder for interesting stories, but in Meeks' polished hands these topics become the conversation of life in society today. They contain keen humor, pain as well as tenderness, and insights into topics that most other writers consider taboo.
There isn't a weak story in the thirteen works here, most having been published in literary magazines prior to this book form. 'Green River' is a family outing that reveals the dissolution of companionship in a few terse pages. 'He's Home' is a quick tale of a man, probably cyclothymic or bipolar, bringing flowers home to his wife only to find she has left him: his response to this lonely discovery explains the probable reasons for her departure. Meeks is able to travel back in time to explore personal idiosyncrasies as in 'The Rotary' and in 'Dear Ma'. In the latter he also manages to take us inside the mind of a failing senile woman (?Alzheimer's victim?) and is written with such finesse and grace that we actually find ourselves thinking in the way Dear Ma's deteriorating mind works. It is a jewel of a story. 'The Fundamentals of Nuclear Dating' is a funny tale that holds a bite and says a lot about our 21st century computer driven dating (read data gathering) consequences. 'Engaging Ben' is as keen an observation of current bonding as any story out there. Et cetera for the rest of the tales.
The odd and strangely wonderful and unique aspect of these is not only the fine writing of a terrific wordsmith, it is also the fact that Meeks is asking us or inviting us to look at the darker things in our lives that go bump in the night. Life in Meeks' stories is full of random coincidences that, depending on our state of vulnerability vs our state of awareness, can either uncover hidden pain or turn on a light to illuminate the elected darkness in which we have chosen to live. He peoples his stories with variations of us and our extended family of humanity and turns us inside out, showing us how our microsecond of life on this planet can be a time of significance or inadvertently squandered.
Biting and sassy, eloquent and intelligent, this collection of short stories is excellent reading. Meeks knows his craft: these tiny microcosms of living offer proof that his novels, soon to come, will be works to watch. Very Highly Recommended.
Grady Harp
December 5, 2012
I had the honor of taking a writing fiction class from Chris, and he is a wonderful teacher. A wonderful writer, now that I've read some of his work. I did not love every story, but I did love some, and I did like most. My favorite story was "Engaging Ben", about a young couple who learn to love each other again. Every story deals with believable, real-life sorts of characters with relatable issues, especially love.
February 2, 2013
Christopher is an adept story teller. His collection of short stories offers a unique perspective into the cerebrum of the short story author. His writing is clean--his view is a little askew.Fresh and heartwarming.
October 10, 2018
Short Story Supreme!
I was totally immersed in this book from page one to the end. It is extremely well written and absorbing enough that I will remember the stories for a very long time. Mr. Meeks writes his characters so beautifully that you feel a bit like a conspirator in their stories. They feel deeply familiar, as if they are springing somehow from your own life force. No gimmicks, except in the last tale, but rather a series of events that blossom and unfold as you are swept into their stream. I definitely want to read more by Christopher Meeks!
I was totally immersed in this book from page one to the end. It is extremely well written and absorbing enough that I will remember the stories for a very long time. Mr. Meeks writes his characters so beautifully that you feel a bit like a conspirator in their stories. They feel deeply familiar, as if they are springing somehow from your own life force. No gimmicks, except in the last tale, but rather a series of events that blossom and unfold as you are swept into their stream. I definitely want to read more by Christopher Meeks!
January 31, 2016
Short stories about relationships. At the end of each story I found myyelf wanting to know more! I found the characters to be very engaging. Mr. Meek's writing is descriptive and beautifully done. Great Kindle read for 1.99. I enjoyted "The Rotary "for the love and "Shooting the Funeral " because it was outrageous and filled with humor.
July 20, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection. I've been reading nothing but political nonfiction lately, so I'm not sure what truely good literature is anymore. While the topic of death is central to several stories, the sensativity and humanity of each is quite beautiful.
July 4, 2013
Just finished this poignant book of short fiction. The path to male-female comprehension is so very fraught with obstacles and Meeks aids our understanding with humor and affection.
February 17, 2015
Not bad. A book of short stories, most of them melancholic or depressing in nature. But that's OK, sometimes life is melancholic or depressing.
February 17, 2025
Some of the stories are better-written than others.
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April 6, 2015Meh...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews