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Are You Happy Now? : A Novel
John Lincoln is a book editor miserably ensconced at Pistakee, a dinky Chicago publisher. His overwhelming ambition is to flee the bland, over polite Midwest and land in New York—where, he imagines, he’ll work with real writers; brandish success at his skeptical, patrician East Coast parents; and experience again the glories of a city where, with “every block, every step,” he will find something interesting and exciting.
What he needs is a hot bestseller, and he finds his vehicle in Amy O’Malley, a recent University of Chicago grad who’s worked on the school’s famous sex survey. With Lincoln’s prodding and guidance, Amy writes a sex-filled novel that draws on her experience. Her book indeed opens doors for Lincoln—but not in the way he imagined. Meanwhile, a professor of happiness studies at a local college blackmails him into publishing his fantastically mundane poetry.
Reminiscent of Richard Russo’s Straight Man, Are You Happy Now? is a comic novel about the hard work of understanding what it is you want.
What he needs is a hot bestseller, and he finds his vehicle in Amy O’Malley, a recent University of Chicago grad who’s worked on the school’s famous sex survey. With Lincoln’s prodding and guidance, Amy writes a sex-filled novel that draws on her experience. Her book indeed opens doors for Lincoln—but not in the way he imagined. Meanwhile, a professor of happiness studies at a local college blackmails him into publishing his fantastically mundane poetry.
Reminiscent of Richard Russo’s Straight Man, Are You Happy Now? is a comic novel about the hard work of understanding what it is you want.
- GenresFiction
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2012
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188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 30, 2012
Richard Babcock has written a fantastic new novel that was a pleasure to read. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? brings us into the world of lead character John Lincoln, executive editor for a small Chicago publisher. Lincoln is still young, early thirties, but he feels his career chances and his overall general lot in life has stalled. He’s on a “marriage vacation” from his wife, but she is in no rush to reconcile; he fears for his job, being laid off if the market doesn’t pick up; and a strange man shows up one day threatening to sue him after an incident on the L train.
You feel for Lincoln, as he wonders if he’ll be stuck forever in the rut he’s in. He wonders why everything in his life is so ambiguous. Either “he’s accused of a crime or not. He’s in good standing at his job or not. He’s married or he’s not. Where are the hard edges? How do you turn a corner when everything around you is curved?” Something’s gotta give.
Lincoln dreams of discovering the book that will make his editing career, get him noticed, and let him escape Chicago for publishing’s capital, New York. His desire to leave grows as his marriage worsens and after he is blackmailed into publishing a collection of bland poetry. When the new editorial assistant, Amy, confesses that she is a writer and has a good idea for a sexy novel, Lincoln takes her under his wing and encourages her to write the book, which he’ll then edit into something commercial. He sees it as his opportunity, the thing that he was looking for to “propel him the fuck out of this place.” At least, that’s his plan.
One thing that I especially like about this novel is the characters never fall into a stereotype; the plot, too, takes detours just when you think it might take the predictable road. As John Lennon said, Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. And it’s the other things that happen which may end up making you happy, not what you thought (or planned).
Amazon Publishing has scored with this novel. I really hated to see it end, and that is a very rare thing indeed. I just hope it’s late-in-the-year publication date doesn’t prevent this gem from making end of the year best-of lists.
You feel for Lincoln, as he wonders if he’ll be stuck forever in the rut he’s in. He wonders why everything in his life is so ambiguous. Either “he’s accused of a crime or not. He’s in good standing at his job or not. He’s married or he’s not. Where are the hard edges? How do you turn a corner when everything around you is curved?” Something’s gotta give.
Lincoln dreams of discovering the book that will make his editing career, get him noticed, and let him escape Chicago for publishing’s capital, New York. His desire to leave grows as his marriage worsens and after he is blackmailed into publishing a collection of bland poetry. When the new editorial assistant, Amy, confesses that she is a writer and has a good idea for a sexy novel, Lincoln takes her under his wing and encourages her to write the book, which he’ll then edit into something commercial. He sees it as his opportunity, the thing that he was looking for to “propel him the fuck out of this place.” At least, that’s his plan.
One thing that I especially like about this novel is the characters never fall into a stereotype; the plot, too, takes detours just when you think it might take the predictable road. As John Lennon said, Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. And it’s the other things that happen which may end up making you happy, not what you thought (or planned).
Amazon Publishing has scored with this novel. I really hated to see it end, and that is a very rare thing indeed. I just hope it’s late-in-the-year publication date doesn’t prevent this gem from making end of the year best-of lists.
January 16, 2013
Ok..so this was a totally different read for me...totally not what I expected but walked away with the sheer satisfaction that this book came into my life.
Set in my home town of Chicago, this author knew his shit for sure, as I took the journey with him as he took me through every facet, nook and cranny of the city I love with all my heart.
John Lincoln is a senior editor of a Chicago publishing company looking for his answer to....I guess...as the title says it all...being HAPPY. Through his work which he loves dearly, his marriage which is falling apart and his personal life which takes him in all sorts of directions ...he goes through the "mundane" of trying to just find "THE" answers that will take him to the top of his career. He develops friendships that he didn't think could ever come about...friendships that would allow him the answers needed to find his "being happy"...At the same time thinking that moving to New York will be the answer to his quest. Why would he want to leave the best city in the world??? Does he really think that all will be resolved when he moves to NYC??? I don't want to give out any spoilers but let's just say when he decided at the end where he needed and wanted to be...I was a proud momma knowing that he chose wisely.
The writing is impeccable and the book maintained a steady pace and there was angst in all the right places. I personally loved the dialogue between him and a certain poet that came to his life unexpectedly...it was actually quite poignant how these two became friends...and yes..there is a little romance that develops that will play a big role in John's decision to do what he has to do to find his "being happy"...
"Are you Happy Now" starts out a little slow...but once the foundation of the characters are built, the storlyline will take you places...so to speak...and John Lincoln not only finds his "happy" he gains a lot more that what he anticipated and me as the reader closes this book with the question....Am I happy now???
Set in my home town of Chicago, this author knew his shit for sure, as I took the journey with him as he took me through every facet, nook and cranny of the city I love with all my heart.
John Lincoln is a senior editor of a Chicago publishing company looking for his answer to....I guess...as the title says it all...being HAPPY. Through his work which he loves dearly, his marriage which is falling apart and his personal life which takes him in all sorts of directions ...he goes through the "mundane" of trying to just find "THE" answers that will take him to the top of his career. He develops friendships that he didn't think could ever come about...friendships that would allow him the answers needed to find his "being happy"...At the same time thinking that moving to New York will be the answer to his quest. Why would he want to leave the best city in the world??? Does he really think that all will be resolved when he moves to NYC??? I don't want to give out any spoilers but let's just say when he decided at the end where he needed and wanted to be...I was a proud momma knowing that he chose wisely.
The writing is impeccable and the book maintained a steady pace and there was angst in all the right places. I personally loved the dialogue between him and a certain poet that came to his life unexpectedly...it was actually quite poignant how these two became friends...and yes..there is a little romance that develops that will play a big role in John's decision to do what he has to do to find his "being happy"...
"Are you Happy Now" starts out a little slow...but once the foundation of the characters are built, the storlyline will take you places...so to speak...and John Lincoln not only finds his "happy" he gains a lot more that what he anticipated and me as the reader closes this book with the question....Am I happy now???
February 17, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. John Lincoln is an editor in a small publishing company based in Chicago (which the author did a great job of describing). He is an East Coast transplant who dreams of leaving the Midwest and his dreary job to work for a big publisher in New York. Lincoln is dour, cynical, snobby, and wildly insecure. He plots to have a coworker produce a best seller to leverage a job in New York. Meanwhile, he is blackmailed by a professor of happiness and then things really start to fall apart. Lincoln isn't a bad man (though he behaves very badly in a moment of panic) and as he strives to achieve success and deals with a variety of misfortune, he slowly matures and begins to find happiness. I liked watching his transformation, much of it due to the way people responded to him. By the end of the book I liked Lincoln, enjoyed his journey and wished him well. A very pleasant read.
October 12, 2014
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would at the outset. Lincoln was just a little too terrible a person, a little too unapologetic, a little too unlikeable for my taste (and normally I love a good unlikeable character).
Shoving an elderly lady and not stopping to help her up and see if she was OK ... NOT OK.
Even as the book got better, and the character started to change a little, I still couldn't stop thinking about how he treated that woman. I almost hoped that the blackmail over the incident would go darker and deeper.
In the end, though, I was happy with how things turned out. Four stars for a riveting, well-written novel about an unhappy person who finally figures out his bliss.
Shoving an elderly lady and not stopping to help her up and see if she was OK ... NOT OK.
Even as the book got better, and the character started to change a little, I still couldn't stop thinking about how he treated that woman. I almost hoped that the blackmail over the incident would go darker and deeper.
In the end, though, I was happy with how things turned out. Four stars for a riveting, well-written novel about an unhappy person who finally figures out his bliss.
September 22, 2019
Something about this book just spoke to me. I settled into the life on John Lincoln almost immediately…seeing the people, places and happenings of his world clearly. (Oddly, I kept picturing him as the character Richard Sherman from “The Seven Year Itch”. A man living through a hot summer in the city, away from his wife, with an active imagination…also a book editor for a small press….)
Anyway – Richard Babcock’s writing is so accessible that the reader is just there – in the story. The characters all have distinct voices and all seemed vaguely like people I’ve known. Chicago is a character in the story as well – not as much as New York is in many of the stories that take place there – but still a strong part of the story.
I also liked the fact that while Lincoln does make some unwise choices…this never becomes the story of a train wreck happening to a once good life. Stories like that quickly kill off any interest as I find myself wanting to reach into the book and shake sense into people. Lincoln makes mistakes, true, but then realistically deals with the consequences.
I’d never heard of Richard Babcock before – but now shall make a point of looking into his previous books.
Anyway – Richard Babcock’s writing is so accessible that the reader is just there – in the story. The characters all have distinct voices and all seemed vaguely like people I’ve known. Chicago is a character in the story as well – not as much as New York is in many of the stories that take place there – but still a strong part of the story.
I also liked the fact that while Lincoln does make some unwise choices…this never becomes the story of a train wreck happening to a once good life. Stories like that quickly kill off any interest as I find myself wanting to reach into the book and shake sense into people. Lincoln makes mistakes, true, but then realistically deals with the consequences.
I’d never heard of Richard Babcock before – but now shall make a point of looking into his previous books.
January 28, 2025
Almost put this down without finishing during the first 15-20% of the book. Main character was hard to like (miserable, lots of name dropping), yet he grew on me as he started interacting with other characters, and I started to root for him. Lincoln wants to move from Chicago to NY, stuck in an editor job he's not happy with, gets involved in a lawsuit due to an accident on the subway but the son of the injured woman will drop it (and eventually become his friend) if he publishes his poetry. Assistant writes a novel, Lincoln thinks it's his ticket to success, the collaborate on the story (and in the bedroom), which then leads to being fired when the affair is found out. Finally gets offer in NYC, but decides he's truly happy in Chicago with assistant and their expected baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2017
An interesting story whose ending was unexpected. I enjoyed the evolution of the protagonist and his younger counterpart and sensed something would occur. The challenges faced, transformation and events leads you down a path that could go in any direction.
August 9, 2017
I forgot why I put this on my list a few years ago, but another question was answered when I found out (how did I miss it before?) that Amazon published it. Way too broad-stroked, IMHO.
February 20, 2013
I really liked this book (as witness the 5 stars), but I must say that it took a bit of getting used to the writing style. The book is written ostensibly in the third person, but it comes off as all being written from the perspective of the main character, John Lincoln, and it’s all written in the present tense, so it “feels” first person. There also is a certain “reportorial” feel about it – the author/protagonist often tells you explanatory detail about events or processes or places much as you would read in a newspaper or magazine (as perhaps befits a novel written by a longtime magazine editor), and tells you what happened, instead of letting the participants’ actions or dialogue do that job. There are very few literary “flourishes” (i.e., there is a lot of “plot action” for 300 pages), although I would categorize this as a literary novel nevertheless. And there was something strikingly self-referential (which I can’t quite put my finger on) about this being a novel written by a longtime editor, and which must have been edited by another editor, about the life of an editor as he edits non-fiction books and novels in great need of editing. I guess you write best what you know best.
All that said, this is a witty, dryly humorous and fun read. The main characters are distinct and well-contrasted, albeit not with a great deal of depth. The mildly charming protagonist has many foibles, and grows and matures throughout the course of the book, but (realistically) only somewhat. The plot and relationships among the characters take several twists and turns, many of which are not at all predictable. The book conveys insights – mostly through satirically rendered and sometimes almost absurd events, situations and conversations – into both the traditional publishing business and the currently ongoing electronic publishing revolution, with particular insight into the impact that revolution is having on old-school publishing. There are several clever or disguised plot or literary intricacies. E.g., (semi-spoiler alert) there are connections between the books being edited within the story and the storyline itself that one only perceives gradually. Indeed, only now that I have sat down to think about this novel and write this review do I suspect/realize that the joke was on me all along: there is a literary reason for the distinctive nature of the writing style of the novel, on which I remarked above, being as it is. Got me.
All that said, this is a witty, dryly humorous and fun read. The main characters are distinct and well-contrasted, albeit not with a great deal of depth. The mildly charming protagonist has many foibles, and grows and matures throughout the course of the book, but (realistically) only somewhat. The plot and relationships among the characters take several twists and turns, many of which are not at all predictable. The book conveys insights – mostly through satirically rendered and sometimes almost absurd events, situations and conversations – into both the traditional publishing business and the currently ongoing electronic publishing revolution, with particular insight into the impact that revolution is having on old-school publishing. There are several clever or disguised plot or literary intricacies. E.g., (semi-spoiler alert) there are connections between the books being edited within the story and the storyline itself that one only perceives gradually. Indeed, only now that I have sat down to think about this novel and write this review do I suspect/realize that the joke was on me all along: there is a literary reason for the distinctive nature of the writing style of the novel, on which I remarked above, being as it is. Got me.
March 6, 2013
This is a tough one. On one hand I honestly dislike Lincoln- the main character. I find him rather obnoxious and self centered. He is stuck in a job that he feels is beneath him. He loves the concept of being the editor, but being stuck in Chicago at a little publishing house is not where he belongs. Along the way of the story, life happens! His wife wants a divorce, there is a riot on the L train, and he pushes an elderly woman to the ground. He gets blackmailed by this woman's son (which at this point, I'm not even sure he is the son- but I may be looking too much into the story and hoping for some mystery) He is trying to get a sex book published by a girl that is in the office and even that, he acts so above it all- its annoying. HOWEVER- I started reading this book yesterday and am 50% done. I keep going back to it to read more. I am hoping that there is more to this story and somehow it all ties in. I have storylines in my head- and I don't know if that is where he is going, but at least my storylines tie it all together. We will see!
REALLY? the fighting the bear story? Now I'm just baffled. and for him to think that ended his childhood? Maybe I don't see literary symbolism here, but that just makes no sense to me. Why does he rub his arm whenever he is stressed? And why would he rub Amy's arm? I see no corralation.
I am done. Is it wrong that when he was on the plane, I was really hoping that the story was going to be that he finally got what he wanted all his life and then the plane crashed! Or that when he was trying to 'break in' to Amy's apartment, that someone would see him and call the police or shoot him?!
I think this book could have had so much more. I don't like the ending. I think that someone who wants something his entire life and then changes it because of a situation will eventually go back to wanting the original thing. I believe in time, he will resent Amy and go back to being unhappy. And honestly, the whole bear story, just annoys me! This book had a path and on many occasions took the long way around to get from point A to point B - and the direct path would have been so much better! I am just glad that I got it free from Amazon!
REALLY? the fighting the bear story? Now I'm just baffled. and for him to think that ended his childhood? Maybe I don't see literary symbolism here, but that just makes no sense to me. Why does he rub his arm whenever he is stressed? And why would he rub Amy's arm? I see no corralation.
I am done. Is it wrong that when he was on the plane, I was really hoping that the story was going to be that he finally got what he wanted all his life and then the plane crashed! Or that when he was trying to 'break in' to Amy's apartment, that someone would see him and call the police or shoot him?!
I think this book could have had so much more. I don't like the ending. I think that someone who wants something his entire life and then changes it because of a situation will eventually go back to wanting the original thing. I believe in time, he will resent Amy and go back to being unhappy. And honestly, the whole bear story, just annoys me! This book had a path and on many occasions took the long way around to get from point A to point B - and the direct path would have been so much better! I am just glad that I got it free from Amazon!
September 3, 2013
"Are You Happy Now?" is a middle of the road book by a middle of the road author. I have never been one to scream "midlist" at something while I was reading it until now. It is not that it is horrible or has poor writing or is incredibly boring in any way. It is like the slew of really bad tattoos the people are getting. There are two things that can make a tattoo bad, it can be poorly executed or the idea for the tattoo can be a bad one from the start. If someone says, "I want Peyton Manning riding a unicorn on my left shoulder blade," it's going to be a bad tattoo, even if Picasso is doing it. (Or Dali. I bet Dali would make a better football player/unicorn tattoo.) The point is that you can't polish a turd, and regardless of the execution, you can't made a bad idea into a good one. This is what "Are You Happy Now?" suffers from. The main character, John Lincoln, is somewhat of a bad guy. I like those narrators that you can't really stand, those real assholes that are only looking out for themselves, even at the expense of others. Those difficult people that you can't believe has the audacity to do what they are doing because honestly I know more of these people in real life than the do-gooder characters that you love. Lincoln is an opportunist at best, a user and abuser at worst. This makes it to where you root against him, hope that he fails, and that he ends up unhappy. Quite honestly there are a lot of people in real life that you feel the same way about.
"Are You Happy Now?" is published by Amazon and that makes sense. I don't think that anyone else would really publish this and push it into the mass market like they did. And this isn't a bad thing. I'm sure they made their money at $3.99 a download, but it also is a testament to the quality of the novels that they push through their own labels: Not too bad but not something that you will cherish forever. Just something right in the middle.
"Are You Happy Now?" is published by Amazon and that makes sense. I don't think that anyone else would really publish this and push it into the mass market like they did. And this isn't a bad thing. I'm sure they made their money at $3.99 a download, but it also is a testament to the quality of the novels that they push through their own labels: Not too bad but not something that you will cherish forever. Just something right in the middle.
August 21, 2013
"Alleys, thinks John Lincoln. At least Chicago has alleys." These are the opening lines, immediately catching you off-guard but in so doing drawing you in from the off.
John Lincoln is comparing Chicago to New York, the place he sees as his future. "He wants to attach himself to a great publishing house, edit profound writers, maybe even write a book or two himself. Bask in the pride of his parents. Wave those credentials in front of his rivals. Be somebody."
The reality though is that he is stuck in Chicago, 33-years-old, on a marriage vacation from Mary and is just a small-time editor at a small publishing house, Pistakee Press, on the road to nowhere. That is until he meets Amy who on first impressions resembles a "little ruffled grouse", but provides John with his ticket out of here. Will he finally be happy?
Overall I was reasonably happy with the book. Maybe the first-half with all of John's woe is me stuff got a little depressing in places, "Am I going to die in exile in Chicago?" he muses whilst he has the law on his back, his wife filing for divorce, plus a nagging feeling that his boss is soon to sack him. Woe is me indeed, but a book is about escapism so I didn't need that.
The second half of the book picks up though as John has something to focus on, namely Amy and her book. But in "blindly pursuing his ambition, he's corrupted an innocent." And so his idea of what would bring him happiness gets trodden on a little along the way, although by the end he realises once and for all what it is he needs to finally be happy giving a uplifting ending after all the doom and gloom before.
John Lincoln is comparing Chicago to New York, the place he sees as his future. "He wants to attach himself to a great publishing house, edit profound writers, maybe even write a book or two himself. Bask in the pride of his parents. Wave those credentials in front of his rivals. Be somebody."
The reality though is that he is stuck in Chicago, 33-years-old, on a marriage vacation from Mary and is just a small-time editor at a small publishing house, Pistakee Press, on the road to nowhere. That is until he meets Amy who on first impressions resembles a "little ruffled grouse", but provides John with his ticket out of here. Will he finally be happy?
Overall I was reasonably happy with the book. Maybe the first-half with all of John's woe is me stuff got a little depressing in places, "Am I going to die in exile in Chicago?" he muses whilst he has the law on his back, his wife filing for divorce, plus a nagging feeling that his boss is soon to sack him. Woe is me indeed, but a book is about escapism so I didn't need that.
The second half of the book picks up though as John has something to focus on, namely Amy and her book. But in "blindly pursuing his ambition, he's corrupted an innocent." And so his idea of what would bring him happiness gets trodden on a little along the way, although by the end he realises once and for all what it is he needs to finally be happy giving a uplifting ending after all the doom and gloom before.
September 16, 2013
The choices you make in life can lead you to many different places. John Lincoln finds himself is Chicago, a city he hates, surrounded by Midwesterners he begrudge. As an executive editor for a niche publishing house, Lincoln is constantly on the lookout for the next big literary hit that will transplant him to New York, a hot bed for publishing greats. A commuter train riot, a blackmailing poet and an unassuming U of C graduate toss Lincoln into an existential crisis that will either sink his career or help get him to the Big Apple.
After finishing Richard Babcock’s Are You Happy Now?, I’m very conflicted. Lincoln is an unlikable character for the majority of the book. He is disgruntled living in a city he hates with people he feels superior to. He puts his needs first and seems to have impulse control issues. He has no problem using others for his own gain. Although he suffers some pretty humbling experiences, both professionally and personally, I didn’t see a significant change in his hubris. Babcock wants readers to see Lincoln as a changed man, but offers no evidence to support Lincoln’s transformation outside of a quick epiphany late in the story. Although well written, this was a difficult read for me due to the flat characters carrying the story on their backs.
See more reviews by the Readist at www.thereadist.wordpress.com.
After finishing Richard Babcock’s Are You Happy Now?, I’m very conflicted. Lincoln is an unlikable character for the majority of the book. He is disgruntled living in a city he hates with people he feels superior to. He puts his needs first and seems to have impulse control issues. He has no problem using others for his own gain. Although he suffers some pretty humbling experiences, both professionally and personally, I didn’t see a significant change in his hubris. Babcock wants readers to see Lincoln as a changed man, but offers no evidence to support Lincoln’s transformation outside of a quick epiphany late in the story. Although well written, this was a difficult read for me due to the flat characters carrying the story on their backs.
See more reviews by the Readist at www.thereadist.wordpress.com.
May 30, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book right up until the last few pages. . The ending was really cheap and corny after a relatively engaging (that word!) story with decent writing. Despite my total aversion to those last 15 pages, I did find myself enjoying this book, and kept turning the pages because I really wanted to know what happens. I particularly liked the contrast in characters, they were all well-developed and very believable. I can definitely relate to John's sentiments but I liked seeing how the other characters, particularly Mr. Duddleston, Amy, and Tony offset him.
I considered giving the book 4 stars since I enjoyed 295/309 of it, but I really just couldn't get over how terrible and unbelievable that ending was.
I considered giving the book 4 stars since I enjoyed 295/309 of it, but I really just couldn't get over how terrible and unbelievable that ending was.
January 31, 2013
My initial impression of this book was that it was a very self indulgent story about publishing and Chicago, told by an old Chicago publisher. If I'm being honest, that impression never really went away. My initial take on the protagonist was that he was average with a superiority complex, selfish and largely irritating. That impression never really went away either.
A few pages in, I set out to not like this book. . . all the while I couldn't put it down. I was drawn in to the story against my will. I found myself relating to protagonist far too readily, especially unsettling given my general lack of real like or sympathy for him.
I finished the book satisfied, having come to the conclusion we 30-somethings are all the same--not yet on the cusp of middle age but already ripe with disillusion; deathly afraid of ultimate disappointment, but having not quite let go of our youthful thread of hope. . . and that's this book in a nutshell (perhaps overly garnished with industry exposition, Chicago local color and literary references).
A few pages in, I set out to not like this book. . . all the while I couldn't put it down. I was drawn in to the story against my will. I found myself relating to protagonist far too readily, especially unsettling given my general lack of real like or sympathy for him.
I finished the book satisfied, having come to the conclusion we 30-somethings are all the same--not yet on the cusp of middle age but already ripe with disillusion; deathly afraid of ultimate disappointment, but having not quite let go of our youthful thread of hope. . . and that's this book in a nutshell (perhaps overly garnished with industry exposition, Chicago local color and literary references).
February 17, 2013
In a series of picking the book up and putting it down, it took me (at least) two weeks to read. The irony however, was I enjoyed the experience -- looked forward to getting back to the book even. The exchange between Buford, and of course Amy, were my favorites. I really liked the way Buford's character was written, to include the exchange between Lincoln and his boss about publishing Buford's tomb of poems. Oh, that was hilarious. Drawing out Amy's characterization however, would be the start of an entire new book... beginning with the subject matter of her manuscript, and the culminating series of events that emerged in the story.
Other qualities of the story that engaged me was the tone. Loved that tone. Smooth, scenic, and hygienically mellow all around -- the type tone any reader who appreciates material not so over the top would enjoy as well. I like dry humor too, so the humor was another treat. And not to spoil the ending, as this is a book that would make for a great 'book club' dialogue, the plot, straight to the end was very well done.
Other qualities of the story that engaged me was the tone. Loved that tone. Smooth, scenic, and hygienically mellow all around -- the type tone any reader who appreciates material not so over the top would enjoy as well. I like dry humor too, so the humor was another treat. And not to spoil the ending, as this is a book that would make for a great 'book club' dialogue, the plot, straight to the end was very well done.
April 3, 2013
John Lincoln is not happy. He is an editor at a crappy, little publishing company in Chicago, and all he can think about is how much he hates it. He’d really much rather be in New York. Additionally, he and his wife have just separated. Nothing seems to be going his way.
A fateful trip on the Brown Line leads John to more trouble. Lincoln’s trouble leads him to Tony Buford, a kooky professor and self-proclaimed poet. Naturally, his new acquaintance wants to be published.
Meanwhile, Lincoln’s also reading a co-worker’s promising manuscript. And he’s falling for her. If only he could get her novel published. . .
A series of missteps takes this jaded editor on the ride of his life, from poetry slams to the land of lunkers (Wisconsin, of course). This is an amusing novel, but quietly so. It is not as clever as I thought it would/could be.
A fateful trip on the Brown Line leads John to more trouble. Lincoln’s trouble leads him to Tony Buford, a kooky professor and self-proclaimed poet. Naturally, his new acquaintance wants to be published.
Meanwhile, Lincoln’s also reading a co-worker’s promising manuscript. And he’s falling for her. If only he could get her novel published. . .
A series of missteps takes this jaded editor on the ride of his life, from poetry slams to the land of lunkers (Wisconsin, of course). This is an amusing novel, but quietly so. It is not as clever as I thought it would/could be.
October 11, 2014
This was a challenge to get through because it dealt so heavily with book publishing and it read like a self-published, unpolished book. It just felt clunky and slow and kinda pointless. I think the rewrite could be chopped down to about 20 pages.
The main relationship just didn't make sense to me. I don't think there is a universe when that would have ever happened.
It was weird that a male writer was writing for a man who was writing in a woman's voice, and then topped off with a female character criticizing that voice.
It also didn't make sense that one of the characters went from harassing, to black mailing, to threatening, and then to befriending the main character. You'd never sit down with someone for a beer and be all, "Hey, remember last year when you blackmailed me? Eh, that was a laugh, yeah?"
The main relationship just didn't make sense to me. I don't think there is a universe when that would have ever happened.
It was weird that a male writer was writing for a man who was writing in a woman's voice, and then topped off with a female character criticizing that voice.
It also didn't make sense that one of the characters went from harassing, to black mailing, to threatening, and then to befriending the main character. You'd never sit down with someone for a beer and be all, "Hey, remember last year when you blackmailed me? Eh, that was a laugh, yeah?"
April 19, 2013
As a Chicagoan and graduate of the University of Chicago (an English major no less - like the two main characters of the book), I probably enjoyed this more than the average reader would. I thought the book was fairly predictable and by-the-numbers in its plotting, but it had a few surprises in the last third of the book. I thought it was a fairly satisfying read (esp. for Chicagoans and U. of C. grads - English majors or otherwise).
January 15, 2013
3 1/2 stars - the only reason it doesn't get a four is that I don't think the author built the case for his ending well enough (although I was glad the book ended as it did) - it kind of came out of the blue for me.
Almost reads like literary fiction, but it's funny and no one dies, so, sorry! Very entertaining, with awesome, sometimes very unlikable characters. The author gets you rooting for them by the end, and that says something about the story he's telling, and his skill at telling it.
Almost reads like literary fiction, but it's funny and no one dies, so, sorry! Very entertaining, with awesome, sometimes very unlikable characters. The author gets you rooting for them by the end, and that says something about the story he's telling, and his skill at telling it.
February 16, 2013
I rented this book via kindle rental on a whim. unusual for me. this was a slow, slow read for me. The story didn't really pick up until 75% of the book was done. glad I was in the "don't give up" mood and powered through the remaining 25% in one sitting to get it over with. I'm glad I finished it. I liked that way it ended, but i'm not entirely sure the moans and groans I had through the first 75% were entirely worth it.
June 19, 2013
While the first third of the book appeared to be somewhat humdrum, the pace picked up and I became engrossed in the outcome. The back and forth between Amy and Lincoln was unteresting, and being a native Chicagoan, I appreciated the nostalgic description of the Windy City. I would advise anyone who picks this book up to keep on reading and be prepared for some surprises (which I don't want to give away as it would spoil the pleasure in discovering the unanticipated).
February 8, 2014
There's a point early in the novel where the main character gives a list of names of authors - all white, all male. To me that kind of sums up the kind of book this is. Richard Babcock is technically a good writer, but I am sick to death of novels about privileged but disaffected white American men who the other characters merely satellite around, acting as gateways to the main character's self-realisation. Also, the title is too obvious.
March 17, 2013
I downloaded it because of the title and know nothing of the author's other works. I liked the unlikable narrator, the intimate descriptions of work and process and books, the organismal role of the city, but I wasn't entirely impressed with the actual story. It's a nice read but it will only stay with me in fragments.
February 19, 2013
I liked the storyline and the language but it felt jumpy. The details and thoughts were thorough but then suddenly the story changed directions without much explanation. Also some parts of the book are written to pull in the reader but then left the plot dead with only a weak tie-in to the rest of the storyline. I might read this again on a random lazy afternoon, but not likely to recommend it.
April 4, 2013
Meeeeh? I don't know how I feel about this book. Having just finished it, I'm surprised by the ending (wasn't expecting it to take that turn), and also feel a bit unsatisfied. The plot was very intricate and interesting, I definitely wanted to see how everything turned out. I just feel like loose ends got tied up too easily.
July 9, 2013
Interesting, even if slightly predictable. Once all the players are assembled you probably could plot out the endgame with a great deal of success. The tone of the ending felt a little out of left field given how strangely manic depressive the rest of the novel was, but it was an entertaining read nevertheless.
February 3, 2013
Thought the writing was excellent. Felt as if I was in Chicago transported by his vivid description. John Lincoln was charming, intelligent but unfulfilled. I loved the unexpected ending. A little literature and a little love, funny and touching, witty and wise with a feel good ending
February 17, 2013
It was a bracing story. John Lincoln, the central character, is rather smug, yet softens as the story unfolds. It has a good drawn out moral line running through it that lends itself to a believable cast of characters.
Well done and enjoyable. I would recommend this book.
Well done and enjoyable. I would recommend this book.
April 7, 2013
As an author who is wandering aimlessly in the publishing world, it was fun to read a good story about an editor in a Chicago publishing house. It is a low-key story, no hot sex or violence, just a guy dealing with life's little tragedies with humor.
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