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Nothing Serious
Stoned out of his skull!
This is how we find washed-up New York Magazine writer, Digby Maxwell, when he is offered his last chance to redeem himself by becoming editor of a small philosophy magazine headquartered in a rural Vermont college town.
Digby's assignment: to make the philosophy magazine relevant to contemporary culture. For starters, that requires several more tokes. Very deep tokes.
A wildly witty novel in the tradition of J.P Donleavy and Nick Hornsby, Nothing Serious takes serious pot shots at Manhattan pop culture and academic small-mindedness, sexual obsessions and political correctness, 21st century alienation and philosophers ranging from Aristotle to Sartre.
This is how we find washed-up New York Magazine writer, Digby Maxwell, when he is offered his last chance to redeem himself by becoming editor of a small philosophy magazine headquartered in a rural Vermont college town.
Digby's assignment: to make the philosophy magazine relevant to contemporary culture. For starters, that requires several more tokes. Very deep tokes.
A wildly witty novel in the tradition of J.P Donleavy and Nick Hornsby, Nothing Serious takes serious pot shots at Manhattan pop culture and academic small-mindedness, sexual obsessions and political correctness, 21st century alienation and philosophers ranging from Aristotle to Sartre.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Klein
92 books240 followersDaniel Klein is the co-author of the international bestseller Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar. He is a Harvard graduate in philosophy and an acclaimed writer of both fiction and nonfiction. When not enjoying the slow life on Greek islands, he lives in Massachusetts with his wife. He is seventy-five years old.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 9, 2013
What happens to the predictor of trends when predictions become out of date before the papers go to press? What happens to immortality when time moves too fast? And what happens when a modern upstart takes over a stodgy university journal of philosophy?
Digby ponders whether finding a job with an Independent Philosophy Magazine might be the perfect solution to his financial woes, though “What exactly would a dependent philosophy magazine consist of?” he muses. Still, it’s a job, and Digby needs a job. It even holds out the possibility of redeeming his career, reviving his immortal fame, and giving him a place to live while he, perhaps, redefines who is living his life.
Of course, the place Dibgy moves to abounds with rumors and questions. Why did he get the job instead of someone more qualified? What curious revelation did the magazine’s owner have just before he died? And who’s trying to get their hands on Hastings Towers? Not to mention, why?
Well-drawn, nicely analytical backstory threads into the narrative while the reader stays firmly entrenched in Digby’s head—at least as much Digby himself stays in his head. Fascinating snippets of philosophy pop up, mixed with pop culture references and vivid satire, all blended like an ideal “toke” and smoked to perfection. While Nietzsche may declare “There are no facts, only interpretations,” Digby’s interpretations draw closer to fact as the story progesses, and the mystery to resolution, though, of course, as time moves on the answers might not matter as much as they seemed. Meanwhile there’s a magazine to put out, and dead owners might seek immortality in its pages.
Events move forward to a delicious denouement, immortality retreats in face of identity, and Digby, just maybe, finally works out who he and everyone else is. Or maybe not. The perfect epilogue ties it all together, but please resist the urge to read it first.
Disclosure: I received a free bound galley of this novel from the publisher, the Permanent Press, in exchange for my honest review.
Digby ponders whether finding a job with an Independent Philosophy Magazine might be the perfect solution to his financial woes, though “What exactly would a dependent philosophy magazine consist of?” he muses. Still, it’s a job, and Digby needs a job. It even holds out the possibility of redeeming his career, reviving his immortal fame, and giving him a place to live while he, perhaps, redefines who is living his life.
Of course, the place Dibgy moves to abounds with rumors and questions. Why did he get the job instead of someone more qualified? What curious revelation did the magazine’s owner have just before he died? And who’s trying to get their hands on Hastings Towers? Not to mention, why?
Well-drawn, nicely analytical backstory threads into the narrative while the reader stays firmly entrenched in Digby’s head—at least as much Digby himself stays in his head. Fascinating snippets of philosophy pop up, mixed with pop culture references and vivid satire, all blended like an ideal “toke” and smoked to perfection. While Nietzsche may declare “There are no facts, only interpretations,” Digby’s interpretations draw closer to fact as the story progesses, and the mystery to resolution, though, of course, as time moves on the answers might not matter as much as they seemed. Meanwhile there’s a magazine to put out, and dead owners might seek immortality in its pages.
Events move forward to a delicious denouement, immortality retreats in face of identity, and Digby, just maybe, finally works out who he and everyone else is. Or maybe not. The perfect epilogue ties it all together, but please resist the urge to read it first.
Disclosure: I received a free bound galley of this novel from the publisher, the Permanent Press, in exchange for my honest review.
April 19, 2017
I thought this was going to be a funny book. There were a few quips that made me laugh, but the story itself wasn't funny. There wasn't much of a plot, and I wanted to stop reading it a lot of times, but I thought it was going to get better. it didn't.
August 23, 2024
1.5 stars: the narrator is your always thinks he's witty half anti-PC boomer type. The rating's a quarter for that, 3/4s that it just isn't a compelling narrative overall. It's kinda all fluff though entertaining enough I suppose to keep listening to it.
August 1, 2021
Weird book, not terrible but not great. Nothing really happened in plot, mostly just coasted along till it came to the end.
May 14, 2024
It had its moments. I did enjoy some of the philosophy mixed with fiction.
February 20, 2016
http://entertainmentrealm.com/2013/06...
After working in the 1980’s and 1990’s for The Village Voice and New York Magazine- a glorious time to work in print journalism—pot-smoking, elitist Digby Maxwell finds himself out of work. What happens when a New York trend spotter accepts a position at a small Vermont college to edit and modernize a failing philosophical journal? Everything. It forces Digby Maxwell much self-reflection and compromise.
Author Daniel Klein [himself a Harvard graduate in philosophy] writes: “The source of this talent, he believes, is his aptitude for empathy in the service of exploiting rather than helping his fellow man. He picked up quickening vibes where others only picked up cacophony; he detected subconscious whims in the unconscious masses.” As Digby familiarizes himself with the Cogito staff and attempts to bring the coolness factor to the magazine it becomes clear that either Digby’s fooling everyone or he’s the fool.
For decades in Manhattan, Digby chose the cool bands, coffee shops and various social trends well before his readers had heard about them. He lived a lavish and comfortable lifestyle. Paid well for his editing and writing and most likely guest-listed for art gallery openings, clubs, concerts and receiving all the latest wonder products gratis. At Cogito, Digby must come to terms with his waning power and lack of relevance as the editorial world changes. However he’s not quick to relinquish his abilities and ideas. The first issue he edits will focus exclusively on Heaven, not a popular choice with the staff or with the journal’s sponsors. Klein writes: “The ad pulls by those stodgy university presses are actually a testimony to his innovative genius; they simply cannot keep up with him.”
Taking the fish-out –of-water novel to an innovative, brilliant level, Klein writes a witty, crisp, intellectually amusing and thoughtful novel about a writer and editor coming to terms with not being at the zeitgeist. Any wordsmith, consummate reader will appreciate well-designed sentences such as: “Yet finally discerning the pattern of Felcia’s deviousness brings him a dulcet dose of peace.” Nothing Serious is a brilliant meditation on print media and its changing format and relevance.
After working in the 1980’s and 1990’s for The Village Voice and New York Magazine- a glorious time to work in print journalism—pot-smoking, elitist Digby Maxwell finds himself out of work. What happens when a New York trend spotter accepts a position at a small Vermont college to edit and modernize a failing philosophical journal? Everything. It forces Digby Maxwell much self-reflection and compromise.
Author Daniel Klein [himself a Harvard graduate in philosophy] writes: “The source of this talent, he believes, is his aptitude for empathy in the service of exploiting rather than helping his fellow man. He picked up quickening vibes where others only picked up cacophony; he detected subconscious whims in the unconscious masses.” As Digby familiarizes himself with the Cogito staff and attempts to bring the coolness factor to the magazine it becomes clear that either Digby’s fooling everyone or he’s the fool.
For decades in Manhattan, Digby chose the cool bands, coffee shops and various social trends well before his readers had heard about them. He lived a lavish and comfortable lifestyle. Paid well for his editing and writing and most likely guest-listed for art gallery openings, clubs, concerts and receiving all the latest wonder products gratis. At Cogito, Digby must come to terms with his waning power and lack of relevance as the editorial world changes. However he’s not quick to relinquish his abilities and ideas. The first issue he edits will focus exclusively on Heaven, not a popular choice with the staff or with the journal’s sponsors. Klein writes: “The ad pulls by those stodgy university presses are actually a testimony to his innovative genius; they simply cannot keep up with him.”
Taking the fish-out –of-water novel to an innovative, brilliant level, Klein writes a witty, crisp, intellectually amusing and thoughtful novel about a writer and editor coming to terms with not being at the zeitgeist. Any wordsmith, consummate reader will appreciate well-designed sentences such as: “Yet finally discerning the pattern of Felcia’s deviousness brings him a dulcet dose of peace.” Nothing Serious is a brilliant meditation on print media and its changing format and relevance.
March 26, 2013
I received this book as an ARC from Goodreads.
Just as desperation, in the the form of day time games shows and chemically induced meditation, begins to set in for Digby, our "washed up" pop culture journalist, an ad for a job as editor-in-chief of an independent philosophy magazine presents itself to him. While way outside his comport zone or knowledge base, Digby studies up on philosophy and lands the job. So begins the tale of Digby and the twists and turns this job imports into his life.
As the story begins, Digby is less than likeable--estranged from his daughter after cheating on his wife, freeloading and stoned--pretty much my idea of a loser and a "user." Not my kind of guy. But by the end, I kind of had some sympathy for him as he is manipulated and used himself.
The story is entertaining though a little predictable in the big scheme--unsavory fellow gets a taste of his own medicine but because he has "been there done that" himself he sees it coming, intervenes and learns a life lesson--the details of this one were what kept me going. The twists and turns throughout the scheming were detailed and original, though, as I said, the outcome was a little predictable. Also I did not feel as though the ending tied well with the rest of the story. I was left a little deflated in the end. It was an easy read and worth my time but not at the top of my list of favorites or books to recommend.
Just as desperation, in the the form of day time games shows and chemically induced meditation, begins to set in for Digby, our "washed up" pop culture journalist, an ad for a job as editor-in-chief of an independent philosophy magazine presents itself to him. While way outside his comport zone or knowledge base, Digby studies up on philosophy and lands the job. So begins the tale of Digby and the twists and turns this job imports into his life.
As the story begins, Digby is less than likeable--estranged from his daughter after cheating on his wife, freeloading and stoned--pretty much my idea of a loser and a "user." Not my kind of guy. But by the end, I kind of had some sympathy for him as he is manipulated and used himself.
The story is entertaining though a little predictable in the big scheme--unsavory fellow gets a taste of his own medicine but because he has "been there done that" himself he sees it coming, intervenes and learns a life lesson--the details of this one were what kept me going. The twists and turns throughout the scheming were detailed and original, though, as I said, the outcome was a little predictable. Also I did not feel as though the ending tied well with the rest of the story. I was left a little deflated in the end. It was an easy read and worth my time but not at the top of my list of favorites or books to recommend.
May 19, 2013
"Nothing Serious" by Daniel Klein is an entertaining and very humorous read that - despite the title - is at times very serious, although in a not always very serious manner.
The protagonist Digby Maxwell changes job from a smaller to a rather reputable position in philosophical journalism.
While his private life is a bit of a mess and he struggles to adequately fill the huge shoes he is wearing, the novel also discusses philosophical issues and theories as perceived by the many colourful and interesting characters.
I wish I knew in more detail the teachings of Nietzsche and Hegel so I could get more of the clever references. The dialogue is sparkly and witty and the narrative often hilarious and mostly well paced.
I enjoyed the company of Digby Maxwell.
The protagonist Digby Maxwell changes job from a smaller to a rather reputable position in philosophical journalism.
While his private life is a bit of a mess and he struggles to adequately fill the huge shoes he is wearing, the novel also discusses philosophical issues and theories as perceived by the many colourful and interesting characters.
I wish I knew in more detail the teachings of Nietzsche and Hegel so I could get more of the clever references. The dialogue is sparkly and witty and the narrative often hilarious and mostly well paced.
I enjoyed the company of Digby Maxwell.
April 11, 2013
“. . . a rollicking farce . . . a tightly plotted comedic tale with a genuine emotional center and a sharp satirical wit.”
Digby Maxwell is a washed-up magazine writer from New York.
With an astute sense of discovering the next big thing in pop culture, he was the go-to writer at New York magazine for all things hip. Adultery and ego got in the way and he found himself without a job until Felicia Hastings brought him in to helm Cogito, the philosophy magazine of a . . .
Click to read the full book review of Nothing Serious by author Daniel Kline at New York Journal of Books
Digby Maxwell is a washed-up magazine writer from New York.
With an astute sense of discovering the next big thing in pop culture, he was the go-to writer at New York magazine for all things hip. Adultery and ego got in the way and he found himself without a job until Felicia Hastings brought him in to helm Cogito, the philosophy magazine of a . . .
Click to read the full book review of Nothing Serious by author Daniel Kline at New York Journal of Books
April 22, 2013
This book had me in stitches much of the time. Digby Maxwell is an irresistibly smug yet insecure protagonist, a self-confessed bluffer, and you can’t help rooting for him as he navigates the treacherous shoals of academia and middle-aged love. This was such a light, enjoyable read that I hardly noticed I was also getting am equally light and very digestible education in philosophy thrown in for free.
November 16, 2013
Nothing like taking a "serious" subject and making serious fun of it. And you learn something about said subject along the way as well. I read the book "Plato and a Platypus walk into a bar" by the same author (co-authored) and really enjoyed it, so when I saw "Nothing Serious" I had to check it out. I'm so glad I did. It was delightful, educational and enlightening.
April 17, 2013
This book was ok. I won it as a goodreads giveaway and thought it would be an interesting read. I liked his cast of unusual characters.
October 3, 2013
This is such an interesting satire on the academic life and small college towns! Very funny and engaging once I got into it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews