Finding Gordon Lipschitz

by Shane Finkelstein

At his twenty five year high school reunion, Harris Greenberg finds out that his class valedictorian has gone missing. In an attempt to run away from his own problems, Harris embarks on a desperate mission to find him. Enlisting the help of old friends, Gordon Lipschitz is found in the most unlikely place, a shell of his former self. The search becomes a journey of self-discovery for four friends whose lives turned out much differently than any of them expected.

Genres: Fiction

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2013

About the author

Shane Finkelstein grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island and majored in English at the University of Maryland. After college, he moved to Atlanta and published a magazine called University Reporter, which subsequently became INsite Magazine. After nine years in Atlanta, he met his soon to be wife Courtney and they traveled around the world in Y2K. Returning to the states, Shane and Courtney moved to New Orleans and opened a burrito joint in the CBD called Nacho Mama’s. In 2003 and 2007, the Finkelsteins opened two more locations, on Magazine Street and in the Elmwood Shopping Center. During his time in New Orleans, Shane has continued his passion for writing, with feature stories in INsite Magazine, Where Yat Magazine and the New Orleans Levee. Finding Gordon Lipschitz is his first full-length novel. He currently resides in Uptown New Orleans, has three children and is working on a new book titled The Miser.

Reviews

[Scott Spotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Delightful Road Trip by Loveable Misfits!

"Seeking Gordon Lipschitz" feels a bit like The Hangover movie, which I haven't yet seen, but what I understand to be one pratfall after another as a band of losers attempt to track down a missing person. The book starts off with a bang, as Harris, the main character and the narrator, attends a high school reunion 20 years after they've graduated. Meeting his old friends, Harris wonders what happened to a one-time prodigy, the titular character named Gordon Lipschitz, who is missing.

I especially liked the relationship between Harris and Karen, a former classmate who's stunningly beautiful, and strives for perfection, but is still single and hasn't yet found life to be all cracked up as it's supposed to be.

The problem I had with this book is that Harris and his newly re-discovered friends seem to all be stereotyped as losers. It seems that all the men - save for the missing person Gordon - in this book had become millionaires, then lost their fortune, and divorced, and in general had portions of their lives that were seedy and pathetic. For a book that tried to capture a slice of real-life America, this seemed to be stereotyping and unrealistic. There may be people who have decent lives, and have happy families, and don't experience much in the way of stratospheric highs and depressing lows, but they're not in this book. It's true that such characters are "boring" in fiction novels, but perhaps a way could be found to make such people interesting, and contrast their lives in a hilarious way with the losers in this book. That's why I liked the character of Karen, as she seemed to be the only reliable and conscientious character in the book.

I really enjoyed the ending where they did find Gordon Lipschtiz and uncovered truths about him. Gordon is in many ways the heart and the soul of the book, and perhaps because the other men seemed so shallow. Kudos to a great beginning, and end, would have liked to see a better middle.

[Edward Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure of finding life again

Finkelstein has put much of himself into this book I think; therefore, it comes through as a well-written novel.

It's the story about one man (along with others he brings on board) finding life not quite going his way at the moment. He decides to go to his high school renuion, and becomes obsessed with finding the class valedictorian. And the adventure begins, with the main character and others finding a new way in their own life. In the end, how are they are affected by Gordon Lipshitz and the quest to find him?

This is such a brilliant novel. A must read that will keep you laughing, caring and obsessing along with the main character (Harris Greenberg).

Bravo to Shane Finkelstein for giving us this story. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Linell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to find I loved this book. Full disclosure I won it through Goodreads. It was about midway down on the list of books I wanted to win, so I was a little disappointed at first. Reading the first page made we even more disappointed. Harris, the main character snorts coke and talks about throwing up on an old girlfriend. That would normally indicate it's not my kind of book. I kept reading and I'm glad I did.

The book was well written, fast paced and I enjoyed the story. Harris deals with his mid life crisis by searching for his childhood friend, Gordon. It leads him on an adventure from New York, through Atlanta and New Orleans and ends with his transformation from a self centered jerk to a decent man.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a goodreads giveaway.

I knew I'd like this book, but it was truly great. There is a lot going on throughout the story, but it was all very entertaining and fast paced. I didn't roll my eyes. It wasn't completely predictable. All of the characters were interesting.
The only thing that annoyed me was the constant identifying of the people around him by their race in addition to some kind of stereotype more often than not.
I wish more would have happened between Karen and Harris, but the ending was still pretty good. I loved the suspense after they lost Gordon at the funeral and then seeing Gordon's turnout.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others.

[Covingtoncat73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, although sad in places. It was less about New Orleans than I was expecting but, if you are Gen X, you will, perhaps be interested in reading about a guy trying to find someone he knew in high school to make things right.

[Jess Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! This book truly shows the character and diversity of New Orleans and it's inhabitants. A poignant reminder that we are all the best that we can be when we step outside of our selfish behaviors and do for others. I look forward to more from this talented author.

[Melissa Pollack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun enjoyable ride and a trip through Long Island and Nee Orleans!!

[Zhelana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was weird. It was pretty funny, which I guess is what you're supposed to judge a comedy on, but then I felt dirty for laughing because you're laughing at a guy in a mental hospital, and that just feels dirty. I know I've seen comedy and mental hospitals done together well, but I don't think this was as well done as that. You're laughing at a sick guy, and that feels gross. You're also laughing at a drug addict and dealer, and that doesn't feel much less gross. And then you're laughing at a guy swinging a gun around threatening people with it, and that certainly doesn't feel less gross. And maybe the author should have rethought his idea of writing a comedy about a drug addict and a guy from a mental hospital? Also, I'm not sure I found any of it believable from the fact that they were able to walk out of the hospital with Gordon in the first place to finding Gordon in the end, and just... I don't know. I mean I'm laughing at a guy because he's on drugs, and just, gross.

[Mike Reuther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this book and how it begins. A divorced, down-on-his-luck businessman named Harris with seemingly a lot of time on his hands decides to find out what happened to the eccentric genius from his childhood after attending his high school reunion. Some interesting characters pop up from Harris's past, including another classmate, a fetching psychiatrist he's attracted to, who tries to help him track down Gordon Lipschitz, who has apparently fallen off everyone's radar screen. Unfortunately, the story fails to measure up to its promise. One problem is that Lipschitz, a guy with some serious mental problems, is found too early in the story. Perhaps the true title should be: Helping Gordon Lipschitz. The book is a lot of episodes and bar scenes and middle age angst. Not a bad book, just not that good.

[Siggy Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining!
"Finding Gordon Lipschitz" is a fast read that takes you on a rollercoaster across the US. The author manages to suck you in immediately into this search of a lost buddy. I could well visualize the main characters that the protagonist engages with on this manhunt; some are funny, some are scary. All have midlife issues of their own while still behaving like frat brothers that they once were. Vivid descriptions of several cities show how well the author knows what he is talking about. New Orleans was my favorite part - makes me want to go and visit! Wondering here whether to go to another school reunion if all this can happen as a result...

[Allison Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book; which I received through Goodreads, First Reads. I enjoyed going on the journey in finding Gordon and then trying to help him connect with the world again. By trying to offer amends with people they've wronged along the way, the characters not only help Gordon, but they cleanse their demons and get to say goodbye to past discrepancies.

I was actually pleased with the way it ended, no romantic relationship, but strong friendships bonded them for the future. Plus, Gordon is back with the world again, although a slow progression.

[Callie Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn in by the name of the book. I felt I couldn't go wrong. The writing is clean, the pacing brisk. The characters in most instances have a lot of dimension.

The premise of the book is a bit contrived and none of the characters feel "new" to me, but those are my only real issues. All in all, a well written book.

[Bookblobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would rate between 2.75-3 stars. This book starts off like The Hangover movies. The last 1/3 of the book felt like a tour of New Orleans. Seriously, who eats that much? I enjoyed the part when they located Gordon and the relationship between Karen & Harris. Quick read.
**I won this book from Goodreads First Reads giveaway **

[Sharon E T Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ring true for anyone past their tenth high school reunion.

I was caught from page one. If you're considering going or have been to your high school reunion, it's a must read. You will laugh and sigh and actually care enough about these very real characters to be glad there is an epilogue.

[Sherry Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting but unrealistic book. It is a look back at high school potential and what people really become after high school.

[Sara Valashinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. Finished it in 2 days! Was a little disappointed because I wanted it to keep going! It was really a great read! I cannot wait for another one from this author!