Courting Mediocrity

Down and Out in Seattle and Tacoma #2

by Christopher J. Stockwell

Continue Jack's struggle. He never seems to make the right choice, but watching him make the wrong one is usually fairly entertaining. Alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental illness plague him and dog any efforts he makes to improve his lot. Watching Jack is like watching a fly buzzing around a window, banging into it again and again, never understanding that there's glass there. A fly doesn't even have a concept of "glass." Similarly, Jack is ignorant to the ins and outs of being human. How long will you watch him buzz around and smack into the glass?

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2023

About the author

"Why do you write?" She asked me.

"Why do you fuckin' care," is what my bestie Jack would say. He's always inside me trying to push his way out. When people take a tone, or give me orders, Jack bristles. Chris has a wife, kids, and a mortgage, so most of the time, Chris is charged with keeping Jack in check. Jack is why I write. The world moved on without Jack. His music scene is nothing but burnt ash from the campfire the night before. Jack's city doesn't exist anymore. It might as well be called Seattle 2.0.


I'm a lawyer, a former prosecutor. When I put on a suit, you can't see me, or should I say you see my mask. Who am I? I'm the counterculture hiding in plain sight. Punk rock gave me a worldview, and I bring that worldview into society every time I speak in a courtroom or you flip the page of one of my books.


Why do I write, because after all these years, Jack and I are stilled pissed off at the world and everyone in it. And we've still got something to say about it.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

I can't say that I loved this book, but at the same time, I can't say I hated it. This type of storytelling was a bit difficult for me to follow, but I believe that to be intentional as it is hard to tell whether Jack is the storyteller or whether the speaker is one of Jack's alternate personalities.

[Chris Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this book so far. It is easy and moves along a good pace. The male lead isn't very sympathetic but will hopefully be redeemed by thr end.

[Jaylene Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stockwell's protagonist (or punk rock subculture antihero), whichever you prefer, continues his spiral downward. As far as middle installments are concerned, it's about what you'd expect. Giving the story a pat and easy resolution, a high note to end on would have been easy, but nothing about Stockwell's storytelling is easy. Instead you've got to walk through one painful and emotionally draining experience only to be confronted by another, and another after that. Being so deeply immersed in a world is what keeps you turning the page. That, and the fact that the main character is charming in his own pedestrian and simple way.

I'm about to start the final book. Mr. Stockwell, if you're listening, I expect something resembling a happy ending. After what you've put us through, we deserve one.

[Pamela Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book. I live in Washington and the author filled this book with loads of memories from his youth, in areas I'm familiar with. It's crazy, seedie, and a tail of living life on a dime. It's a hole lot of life from the eyes of a guy who lived it on his terms. This review is pretty vague. But I don't want to give away the crazy stuff you'll b reading.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories about the down and out alt culture in the PNW. Great read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Most stories have a background, conflict and resolution; not this book. This storys character just keeps tripping over himself. I know about addiction but nothing of mental illness; this story is what I’d imagine it would be like to have both of those problems and more!

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my kind of story.

[Pablo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author may have been courting mediocrity, but he seems to have settled for less. I found the book a slog to go through, the words heavy, the story uninviting.

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of the complete collection. Start with book one if you want to read them separately, but I highly recommend all three.