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Possible Happiness
Eleventh-grader Jacob Wasserman is just trying to get by. Under the radar, he spends his weekends at home by himself, leaning on TV and video games to distract himself from the weight— these days we would call it depression— inside him. But he' s secretly got a quirky sense of humor, and, when he starts letting it show, he finally gets noticed. In fact, before he knows it, Jacob' s ability to keep people entertained has drawn him into a full-time social life, complete with a circle of friends, parties, and even a girlfriend. But is this newfound acceptance enough to unlock meaningful well-being? Is this entertainer even the real Jacob? Possible Happiness is a funny and tender coming-of-age story about developing the courage to face and understand yourself.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2024
About the author
David Ebenbach
29 books109 followersDavid Ebenbach: preoccupied with the human condition since 1972.
He's also (as a result of his preoccupations) the author of six books of fiction, four poetry collections, and a non-fiction guide to the creative process. His books have won numerous awards, including the Drue Heinz Literature Prize and the Juniper Prize. A native of Philadelphia, David now lives with his family in Washington, DC, where he teaches creative writing and literature at Georgetown University.
He's also (as a result of his preoccupations) the author of six books of fiction, four poetry collections, and a non-fiction guide to the creative process. His books have won numerous awards, including the Drue Heinz Literature Prize and the Juniper Prize. A native of Philadelphia, David now lives with his family in Washington, DC, where he teaches creative writing and literature at Georgetown University.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 23, 2024
My teenage years are a long way behind me, I’m female, British, not Jewish and went to an all girls school so you might imagine it would be difficult for me to relate in any way to sixteen-year old Jacob Wasserman. Yet I’m sure we can all think of occasions when we’ve felt like an outsider or that we don’t fit in, or doubted if our friendships will last or we’ll ever find that special person. So even if the teenage angst and dating worries are a distant memory, I found myself really absorbed in Jacob’s struggles, cheering at his little moments of joy and feeling sad for him when things aren’t going so well.
Jacob is intelligent and witty but often has to fight the inclination to hide himself away, to retreat into himself when the going gets tough. He often feels down but not only for himself but for the sadness of others, the sadness in the world even. ‘He would be walking down the street and see a dent in a car, for example, or he’d be on the bus and he’d hear two people arguing bitterly, or he’d look out a window and see a person walking slowly by themselves…’ He calls how this makes him feel ‘the howl’.
Things seem to change when Jacob becomes part of a circle of friends who refer to themselves as the ‘Pack’. They hang out together before and after school, they go to nightclubs and parties together, they introduce one another to different types of music. But when members of the group begin to pair up, the dynamics change and Jacob fears he may become an outsider again. He doesn’t help himself by bottling up his feelings so they risk exploding into anger.
I loved the relationship between Jacob and his mother, their companiable banter as they eat dinner or watch a TV show together, Jacob’s ability to make his mother laugh. (His father is off the scene having started a new life in another city with another partner.) As well as working all hours to make ends meet, Jacob’s mother has her own issues – in particular, the dark period she experiences every November – but she possesses an instinctive sense of Jacob’s needs, offering support and encouragement rather than hectoring him like his father. Jacob’s sister, Deanna, who is away at college is also a source of practical advice. Sometimes Jacob just needs someone to help him see a way through the darkness to the other side, or just convince him there is an ‘other side’.
The author captures the essence of the late 1980s through the films and TV shows the characters watch, the video games Jacob and his friends play, the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, and the food they eat. In case you’re thinking the story sounds a bit of a downer, you’ll find a good dose of humour in there too.
Possible Happiness is a perceptive coming-of-age story about facing up to the challenges in life and finding your place in the world.
Jacob is intelligent and witty but often has to fight the inclination to hide himself away, to retreat into himself when the going gets tough. He often feels down but not only for himself but for the sadness of others, the sadness in the world even. ‘He would be walking down the street and see a dent in a car, for example, or he’d be on the bus and he’d hear two people arguing bitterly, or he’d look out a window and see a person walking slowly by themselves…’ He calls how this makes him feel ‘the howl’.
Things seem to change when Jacob becomes part of a circle of friends who refer to themselves as the ‘Pack’. They hang out together before and after school, they go to nightclubs and parties together, they introduce one another to different types of music. But when members of the group begin to pair up, the dynamics change and Jacob fears he may become an outsider again. He doesn’t help himself by bottling up his feelings so they risk exploding into anger.
I loved the relationship between Jacob and his mother, their companiable banter as they eat dinner or watch a TV show together, Jacob’s ability to make his mother laugh. (His father is off the scene having started a new life in another city with another partner.) As well as working all hours to make ends meet, Jacob’s mother has her own issues – in particular, the dark period she experiences every November – but she possesses an instinctive sense of Jacob’s needs, offering support and encouragement rather than hectoring him like his father. Jacob’s sister, Deanna, who is away at college is also a source of practical advice. Sometimes Jacob just needs someone to help him see a way through the darkness to the other side, or just convince him there is an ‘other side’.
The author captures the essence of the late 1980s through the films and TV shows the characters watch, the video games Jacob and his friends play, the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, and the food they eat. In case you’re thinking the story sounds a bit of a downer, you’ll find a good dose of humour in there too.
Possible Happiness is a perceptive coming-of-age story about facing up to the challenges in life and finding your place in the world.
September 25, 2024
David Ebenbach has written a moving novel about a lonely adolescent boy struggling to fit in with his peers while remaining true to himself. Jacob Wasserman is flailing, and the reader becomes totally absorbed in the conflicts he faces.
This novel gives insight (even to those not acquainted with teenage boys) into how mystifying the doorways to adulthood can be for a sensitive boy who feels so alone. The pitfalls of burgeoning friendship and romance for this boy are many, and while the story takes place in the late 1980s, that "simpler" time proves a severe challenge for Jacob.
This is a tender, engaging coming-of-age story that will stay with me for quite a while. The book is categorized as a young adult novel but certainly provides a satisfying read for older adults as well.
This novel gives insight (even to those not acquainted with teenage boys) into how mystifying the doorways to adulthood can be for a sensitive boy who feels so alone. The pitfalls of burgeoning friendship and romance for this boy are many, and while the story takes place in the late 1980s, that "simpler" time proves a severe challenge for Jacob.
This is a tender, engaging coming-of-age story that will stay with me for quite a while. The book is categorized as a young adult novel but certainly provides a satisfying read for older adults as well.
April 27, 2024
Jacob has always felt like an outsider in his own life. His father is miles away in Chicago, his sister is off at college, his own mother seems distant and preoccupied, and at school he may as well be wall decor. But when a simple joke in class earns him an invitation to a party, everything changes. Suddenly, Jacob is part of a group known as the Pack. He is supposed to be the funny one, the one who finally fits in. But as he revels in his newfound happiness, he cannot shake the feeling that it is just a facade. Is his sense of belonging real, or is it just a tragic illusion?
Opinion:
This book shouts: you are not alone! Whether intentional or not, Possible Happiness is a sad commentary on the decline of the functional family. Author David Ebenbach’s descriptive narrative places the reader in 1980s Philadelphia. With themes of depression, underage drinking, income inequality, religion, racism, sexuality, and alcoholism, Ebenbach tackles many darker topics. He takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions by allowing readers to witness Jacob’s self-image as it is unveiled. Jacob’s internal struggles and desire for acceptance will resonate with readers. But the realization that “outside Jacob’s all laughs, but inside he’s a total train wreck” dampens the author’s effort at humor in this story. Readers captivated by stories of self-discovery will want to check out Possible Happiness.
Opinion:
This book shouts: you are not alone! Whether intentional or not, Possible Happiness is a sad commentary on the decline of the functional family. Author David Ebenbach’s descriptive narrative places the reader in 1980s Philadelphia. With themes of depression, underage drinking, income inequality, religion, racism, sexuality, and alcoholism, Ebenbach tackles many darker topics. He takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions by allowing readers to witness Jacob’s self-image as it is unveiled. Jacob’s internal struggles and desire for acceptance will resonate with readers. But the realization that “outside Jacob’s all laughs, but inside he’s a total train wreck” dampens the author’s effort at humor in this story. Readers captivated by stories of self-discovery will want to check out Possible Happiness.
November 21, 2025
Well written memoir from a captivating poet who needed to write this story.
Jacob was a smart Jewish kid with a sister and divorced parents who all showed him to love and who shared with him a slice of their life to keep company with him, as he fought to find his own path.
Like so many of us in high school, Jacob squirmed his way through the hallways looking to see where he might fit in. He became a regular in a group of kids calling themselves“ the pack.”The memoir follows Jacob as he moves in and out of his comfort zone inside the pack to talk to Willow, the most wildly popular girl that everyone had hoped to attract. When it became clear that Willow was spoken for, Jacob moved on & developed other guy friends before he found an interest in Tammi who actually “ had cool things to talk about.”
At times I thought the narrator felt he had achieved periods of safety and security in his high school dynamics, and at other times we see Jacob kicking those very things apart to see the truth of what things were. By the end of his school time he had many friends in his “pack” but Jacob also found himself in a new group of Jewish students he hadn’t known earlier but whom began inviting him to Jewish parties. And there was this beautiful woman Leah, who seemed to like him….
Jacob was a smart Jewish kid with a sister and divorced parents who all showed him to love and who shared with him a slice of their life to keep company with him, as he fought to find his own path.
Like so many of us in high school, Jacob squirmed his way through the hallways looking to see where he might fit in. He became a regular in a group of kids calling themselves“ the pack.”The memoir follows Jacob as he moves in and out of his comfort zone inside the pack to talk to Willow, the most wildly popular girl that everyone had hoped to attract. When it became clear that Willow was spoken for, Jacob moved on & developed other guy friends before he found an interest in Tammi who actually “ had cool things to talk about.”
At times I thought the narrator felt he had achieved periods of safety and security in his high school dynamics, and at other times we see Jacob kicking those very things apart to see the truth of what things were. By the end of his school time he had many friends in his “pack” but Jacob also found himself in a new group of Jewish students he hadn’t known earlier but whom began inviting him to Jewish parties. And there was this beautiful woman Leah, who seemed to like him….
October 13, 2024
Though this story is set in the late eighties, the issues David addresses are timeless. He details the angst and stress of teendom through brilliant dialogue, the protagonist’s tormented thoughts, layered character building, and a deep understanding of the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. There is humor, used to perfection, the thrill of suddenly belonging, the sweet complexity of first love, the anguish of being ostracized by trusted friends, and the crushing weight of dealing with the strain of young adulthood with the monster of depression on one’s back. “Possible Happiness” is a must read for anyone who might feel alone and different as they walk the halls of their high school. An excellent read by a fine writer.
May 9, 2025
I loved this book, maybe because I was a teenager in the 1980s. The story was charming (in the best way), believable, and affecting. All of the pushes and pulls at Jacob Wasserman - new friend group, new music, new girlfriend - were pitch perfect. In Jacob, Ebenbach has created a character who is easy to root for. He's going through real mental health struggles and, true to the time period, has no language or framework for it. At the very last moment, I realized where the ending was heading, and it was the exact right note. YA readers, I think, will gobble this up, but so will adults!
November 20, 2024
Wow - I felt like I was in high school again while reading this book! This novel perfectly captures the late 80s high school experience with humor, heartache, hope, and even a hangover. David Ebenbach delves deep into his main character's experience with finding belonging, losing his place, struggling with depression, and trying to find acceptance and understanding. Gen X nostalgia plus timeless teen experiences. Highly recommended!
December 3, 2024
A true-to-life depiction of a high-schooler’s discovery in 1980’s Philadelphia. Jacob finds and loses and finds his people on the background of gritty city life and a loving but difficult family. Touching, funny, and eye-opening. Also full of fun real-life references to Philly in that decade. A great read!
December 24, 2024
Follows a teen boy in 1989 NYC through a few months of high school as he finds a friend group, battles with depression, and works to figure out who he is.
Maybe not the happiest of reads, but I think it could be an important one in the right hands. I’ll be recommending this one to my teen librarians, for certain.
Maybe not the happiest of reads, but I think it could be an important one in the right hands. I’ll be recommending this one to my teen librarians, for certain.
November 12, 2024
A realistic and raw novel depicting how it feels to be a young adult facing depression.
Warning: This is not a feel-good book. This book will make you feel some dark emotions. If you like character driven stories that show real flaws and mental illness, this is a great short and realistic read.
Warning: This is not a feel-good book. This book will make you feel some dark emotions. If you like character driven stories that show real flaws and mental illness, this is a great short and realistic read.
November 12, 2024
Powerful story of one character’s mysterious path through a teenage dilemma. This novel convincingly portrays the main character’s experience, from confusion of friendship and romance to the challenges and joys of discovering oneself.
Extra points for lovers of Philadelphia.
Extra points for lovers of Philadelphia.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews