A Mild Form of Madness

by Robbie Rimsky

Walton Street Publishing’s recently released first title, A Mild Form of Madness, focuses on the tale of a working class family from Chicago, and in doing so weaves together the fabric of the city’s diverse neighborhoods across generations. That said, it is an extremely dense, Chicago-centric piece, offering an unfettered glimpse into the lives of an array of Chicago-based characters, many of which we may pass by on a daily basis, often failing to notice their authentic beauty, or lack thereof. The book also deals with themes including: poverty, globalization, the ever-disappearing Chicago-based blue collar industry and the associated effects on middle-class families, education for profit, respecting elders and their acquired wisdom, violence against women and the degradation of traditional values.

At its core, this is a story about self-corruption, over-consumption, taking responsibility for yourself, and doing exactly what you believe in. It tells a story through a man who believes in living before you die. If you are looking for a good read that will hit you in your heart and mind, while at the same time offering up some timely laughs at the daily madness that is life in Chicago, feel free to dive in to A Mild Form of Madness—it won’t disappoint.

543 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2011

Reviews

[joseluis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the realest book I've ever read. The plot is thin: it follows a man during a couple days as he traverses the streets of Chicago. However, this creates the perfect forum for the main character to interact with fascinating individuals and ruminate on society and the pitfalls which befall it. To name a few topics, the book tackles education, politics, religion, race, corruption, and the monotony of the 9-5 workplace. It at once challenges us to take control of our individuality, to cultivate a desire to create something meaningful of our lives, while at the same time acknowledging the inevitability of falling in line, of becoming a generic person who seeks nothing more than to make money in order to go home and watch mindless sitcoms on an overly-priced television.

As someone who was born and raised in the West Town neighborhood in which the main character spends a majority of his time, it was endearing to come across familiar street names and places. The author wonderfully encapsulates the feel of each area of the city and of the individuals therein. I'd be curious to hear the author's (character's?) views on how our society has continued to evolve/deteriorate in the years since the book's publication.

Yes, this book is dense. Yet I don't know if it would succeed the way it does if it were cut short. My best advice is to accept that this book will be an intense experience, find a good spot along the lake to sit and just run with it.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I am not a tremendous reader in volume. The author of this book came into our auto repair shop and said he goes into blue collar type places time to time and gives out his book to workers. He introduced him self and seemed like a genuine guy and gave one to the shop and I said I would be the first one to read it.

I opened this account today because I can not find a way to contact the author. I just want to say thank you. Your book had a large influence on me. It was very powerful. I find it inspirational that you would come in to a random hole in the wall auto shop and think of people like us and give us a book like that, for free. The story was great and deep and funny and I would not be able to give a noteworthy review like other people here have, so I won't try. To me, and the guys in the shop, it was neat to have someone just walk in out of nowhere, give us something you obviously worked so hard on, refuse to take any money for it, talk to us for a few minutes about the world and then wish us and our families well in life and then carry on like that. I hope you write another book. This was an amazing read, and to me, it was a great accomplishment to finish it. God bless you.

Cole Williamson.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow where to begin. I found this book in a bookshelf of a cafe in Lincoln square in early winter 2017. There was a note from the author stating that it was placed there nearly 2 years before I found it. Surely, I thought it was a joke until I looked up this title and saw people who stated similar stories.

This book is a possession I would never part with. If you have read this, you would understand it is almost impossible to summarize, at least for me. The story is told in a linear/non linear plot line that is not something that hits you until the very end. A story where, at the end, you have deep satisfaction as a reader, both for where the plot concludes, and for the tremendous depth of heartbreak, humor, observation, violence, love and hate through which this story weaves. I guess it's just something you have to read, or not. It is a book that made me think, feel, laugh, and in this strange way, better myself and make valuable use of my life before it's over. I agree with the reviews that stated it was long, and at times, hard to get through, but for me, it lead to a deep satisfaction at the conclusion.

Upon finishing the story, and looking online to find what I assumed would will be volumes of detail about Rimsky, what he currently writing or many interviews of him discussing such a massive work, I found almost nothing. It is like if you finish or find this book, you have this secret within you. There seems to be no marketing, no effort to sell it at all. As if it was just worked on for who knows how many years, printed, and thrown to the world, literally, as the author then walked off toward some other adventure or mystery. Friends have tried to borrow this copy, and as I said I can read it in my house but that's it. I have seen a couple on eBay but that is it.

If the author ever reads this thank you for leaving that book. It helped me. It affected me deeply and reminded me to avoid getting caught up in trivial things and live passionately, what ever that means for me or you or anybody else. You don't seem to seek attention but if you ever read this just know you reached me and good luck to you and your talent. As JD Salinger said, via Holden Caufield, “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.” I guess this is the first time I felt like that about a book, other than reading Catcher in the Rye.

Hope you keep writing good luck, Mr. Rimsky. Whatever becomes of you or your life or has become of you, A Mild Form of Madness was a tremendous literary achievement. Chuck from Chicago.

[Sly27milwaukee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author gave it to me while I was working on the on pavement in Milwaukee in the summer of 2018. If you ever read this thank you man. Right by Summerfest you were passing some out. It meant a lot for me. It took a very long time to get through it but finally did. it gave me a lot of real laughs and thoughts when I needed them. I hope you’re still writing and I wish you had a website or some way to say what’s up. Maybe you’ll peep this some day. Was the dude in my mid 20s laying concrete. You said what’s up to our crew and said you had only one book left from what you were giving out if anyone wanted it and I took you up and you asked if anyone wanted your extra Pepsi. In case you recall it. Seven years ago so probably not. Either way thanks.

[Louie Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this during covid and this messed up year. Great book. Different style made me laugh a lot during this awful time and needed that tbh. Not a person for Many words but very recommended. if your a working person or a little different maybe it will be for you. That’s the point I think. Working persons sort of book I would say. Thanks for the entertainment this year. I needed it. Long book for long year I guess. was glad to find this page. My mom liked it to. We are from Chicago. Peace and love. Louie

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mild Form of Madness was a great read. I bought it, at least partially, because of the artwork, and because there was no description of the plot or recommendations on the back cover. The back was what looked to be a screen print or lithograph of a guy with the Chicago skyline etched into his hair.

So in short, the cover drew me in. I liked how, on the inside page, it said: Do note - we've left some empty pages in back of this book, in case you need to write shit down, or draw. Feel free to go crazy back there - nobody is going to judge you.

After reading that, and secondly, the part that said: To my family and my mates - I'd be nothing without you - you've taught me everything about life and living , and made me free. Thanks for letting me know what it means to be real. This is for you guys-

I found that to be totally cool and real, and so with a price of $10, I took a leap of faith while at Quimby's.

Back story aside, this is a dense, exceptionally descriptive, funny, sad, sprawling novel set exclusively in Chicago. The prose is unique, undeniably poetic at times, and at others, gritty and ugly and real. Characters are lively, and fun. The main character came off negative at first, as if they would just rag on a lot of societal ills, but that fades as the novel goes along and becomes a dense study on many of the issues facing people trying to make a living independently in the United States.

All in all, it is a story of family, love, friendship, vengeance, violence and endless con games. It's a psychoanalytical journey that is very, very deep, dense, and unlike anything I've read to have come out recently. This book deserves widespread distribution and recognition.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book end of last summer when I skateboarded to the end of the North Avenue Beach breakwall. It was put up on a piece of rock. I opened it and it was a numbered first edition signed by the author. He must of gone out there and just left it there to get picked up random. It was an deep story. Made me think a lot and laugh a good amount. More like a hundred stories actually. Maybe I was more set up to like it a lot from finding it that way. Maybe it found me that day. I don’t know. It was a long winter this year in Chicago and this was the right time to find and read this book for me. I just finished. It was the first whole novel I read. It took a lot of work to read it and I had to look up words but I felt proud to finish it. Halfway through I found written on a random page “live free or die” with the date from when I found it. It gave me chill. To find this dense as hell work when life was rough and get into the story and turn the page and dude straight up wrote in pen to live free or die. That was so real for me. Like I said I like the story but the whole experience I had with it and the point to this writer seems like it was to make me know it’s all good to live free. Or remind me that it’s okay to be that way. Me or whoever found it. Just live and be true. Don’t worry about outside pressure. I know not to but it’s easier said than done. Finding it that day made me a better person. I appreciate you man.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was bizarre and not like anything I've read in the past. It took me awhile to get into the book, but the story line eventually started moving along. There were a lot of heavy topics infused throughout. I especially enjoyed the unique/poetic writing style and the Chicago setting.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished is a relative term. A hyperactive level of genius, this novel. You know those biker/messenger guys, the ones who are somehow brilliant but untamed with crazy ideas about everything that almost make sense, who are bent on creating a whole new form of living off the grid to fulfill the artistic or spiritual genius that they envision that puts in place all the wealth and pretension around them that they want to put in an appropriate lower form of life? Damaged families and bipolar conditions are usually at play, let's be honest. That's what this book is like and about, all at the same time. I bought it from Rimsky at a card table he set up on the edges of Printer's Row years ago. I got maybe 120 pages into it back then when I had kids and a job. Now that I retired, I thought I'd give it its due. I've gotten to 235 and am crying, "Uncle." It's amazing, like a Proust or Knausgard's My Struggle, in its detail of thoughts and observation of a Chicago that is not far off from Algren's, both in disadvantaged people and location. In fact, this book should have a place in the pantheon of Chicago books with Algren and Sinclair and others. But, it's too freaking detailed, too long, too obsessive in its commitment to write everything to be readable in maybe one lifetime. I don't know how he proceeded to print, but a wise, thoughtful editor was needed. This could be 5 books wrapped around different plots. I hope he's attempting that. Yet, maybe that's its genius. I only will read one My Struggle, so maybe it's me. So, be encouraged to read it yet understand the challenge. And, as I found teaching high school English, most papers can be cut by a third and be much better. I would start after the first third of this book. God bless Robbie Rimsky. A great achievement. But it's a shame there isn't a larger audience that can get through this.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book, a #'ed copy at a bus stop in Chicago this year. It was brand new and there was a note inside written by I assume the author. It was simply a nice note saying have a nice day and enjoy the book. Has anyone else had this experience? I thought it was a very cool gesture.

The book itself is very dense and takes patience, but I found it to be quite relative to life in Chicago and the world in general. It took me through a broad range of emotions and it was very unique, poetic and unlike anything I've read lately. The main character came off as rather rough and almost negative in the beginning, and I wasn't sure if I would like him, but if you have the patience to get through the beginning I think you'll find him (Anthony Riedie) to be a very well developed and complex character that you'll relate to if you're a hard worker or if you love your family and friends. I found some great humor in this book, as well. I'll certainly keep the copy I found forever.

[Marco Plum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riding my bike along North Ave. Pier in Chicago one Sunday night several years back. Robbie stopped me and gave me his book. Thank you so much! Feel honored to have been given this gift and enjoyed reading it. Anyone, who loves Chicago for all of its flaws and beauty must read this book. Even if you aren't from Chicago and don't live here its a fantastic read. Thanks again Robbie your book really spoke to me. I will be passing it along to another friend to read.

[Pamela]

Picked this book up at the Printers' Row Literary Fest last June. I just dove into it. I have high hopes. Only time will tell.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMFoM is simply a person's story and a keen inspiration to act on one's own agency. Actively making choices at every opportunity according to their desire, so long as that desire is just. The day I or my loved ones are no longer able to act on that agency will come. Hopefully not a day sooner, yet we aren't always the one's who get to decide. I felt diminished waves of Anthony's emotions through the whole listen. Pieces of those spectra defining what it is to be human: uncertainty, elation, contempt to name a few. As you read or listen, I hope you find that same motivation to pursue what you desire. If for any reason, for the basic sake of trying. Every day.

[Kelley M · Rating 1 out of 5]

A monkey peeing into his own mouth. Masturbatory, self-indulgent drivel that masquerades scene and reference for something more transcendent, and ultimately shrivels upon itself like the insubstantial literary sandstone that it is. The world is worse for this book existing.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novel. A big dose of a big character but the story was mostly about people and human nature in general. I like how it took awhile to come to respect and not dislike the character. But by the time it was done I felt like I knew the idea of him well and feel a large part of his ideals and humor within myself, my own family and my circle of friends.

I enjoyed reading this book because it was some needed antidote for cancel culture people who at the end of the day annoy and bore me to death. Tons of great secondary characters presented reporter style and on the move were very realistic to me. People and things that make me laugh or make me sad or angry. Better than a lot of high budget movies and tv shows that don’t make a watcher laugh a for real deep down laugh. This book gave me many. Don’t know if this is a real or fake story but it had a real influence on me either way. A big one in the end. Should be widespread.

I got this book random at a jiffy lube by O’Hare airport sitting on the magazine table in the waiting room last spring. Is this book even in stores? Crazy if it is not. It was signed “Many thanks, Robbie” and said above it, “Take me Home I’m sick of this joint”.

Thanks for the cool experience if you see this and the author actually did that. That was a humorous thing to do in a too serious world and era.

Al Ramos. Chicago.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob. Don’t know if you’ll see this. You tried to sell me this book for five bucks on the street in Old Town in 2013. I’d just gotten let go from my job that day, am crazy as that is. I was annoyed from the jump. I told you right off. I just got fired. I can’t buy anything. I walked off mad and you caught up with me half a block down and pretty much forced me to take it for free and said if anything give it to someone as a gift. I just took it and kept going. It was a bad day and a bad patch of life. I didn’t say thanks or anything.

Come 2020. It’s been sitting on a bookshelf for seven years. Life has gotten on track. I got married. Got blessed with kids. But I got laid off again. Because of covid. I finally took the book out. Opened it up. In the middle there was a twenty dollar bill you put in there seven years ago. And a little note that said “never die easy.” Listen. You broke me down. Seven years later. I finished the book. It was damn real. Made me think a lot. But that gesture. Hell with the book. I still got that $20 in a drawer. A reminder that I won’t ever die easy. A deep impact moment. When I saw that 20 in there after just getting laid off again. Man. I’m back working and I won’t be stopped. I live in Florida not Chicago anymore thank God but this brought me back, good bad and ugly.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lurid. Poignant. Not certain how this title remains quite niche and lacks wide acclaim. With what qualifies for quality entertainment today they must have literally taken effort to not market this to a larger audience on purpose. Which I suppose was practicing what was preached to an extent, after reading it.

Setting seems to be 2007-10ish? Weird how accurately this tale predicted Chicago’s (urban America’s) return to the violence of the 1970s-90s. A study of intricacies of human relationships and behavior without feeling academic. Much was disguised as fly-by-night chewing the fat with city dwelling characters encountered via happenstance.

Scene at the education facility was a brilliant rundown of the consumption humans by one another for the sake of greed. Beautiful but sad story. Would love to read a continuation. Perhaps the author is one and done. Hopefully not. Not many books like this being produced in modern time. Time too limited. Attention spans too small. Not for the feint of heart.

[Your Name · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose this book is written in is of the more unique/poetic I’ve encountered. If prone to nagging existential thoughts/observing too much/caring or wondering too much abt ppls lives/choices this is the best and worst book for you at the same time. Made me think a lot. Maybe too much because I think too much already.

Thanks for leaving this book in our small Geneva Lake art gallery this winter with your kind note, Robert. Wish you kept writing or at least kept sharing your new writings with the world. It saddens me that you seem to have shunned sharing more literary humor/levity/beauty in the last decade + when the world has needed it most. Maybe that’s your point. Warm wishes to you. Please publish more work.

B.V.M.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie, Boston. USA