Where I Went Wrong

by David Galef

Tony Mazza is no stranger to bad days; in fact, they often seem to define his life, including stints at a real estate agency, a bike shop, and a bar. After his latest job, as a hospital orderly, he faces jail time for driving off in a stolen ambulance. “ Where did I go wrong?” he wonders as he thinks back on his failed relationships, a disastrous investment, and family challenges dating back to high school and earlier...all the way back to his birth, as recounted by his much-put-upon mother. Where I Went Wrong is Tony' s story, a novel that blends action with rueful reflection, examining the complexities of failure and success. It poses the question of why some people lose out while others get away with little short of murder, offering a narrative both comic and profoundly serious.

Genres: Fiction

248 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

I’ve published extremely short fiction in the collections Laugh Track and My Date with Neanderthal Woman (Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize), extremely long fiction in the novels Flesh, Turning Japanese, and How to Cope with Suburban Stress (Kirkus Best Books of the Year), and a lot in between. My latest is Brevity: A Flash Fiction Handbook, from Columbia University Press. Day job: professor of English and creative writing program director at Montclair State University. I’m also the editor in chief at Vestal Review, the longest-running flash fiction magazine on the planet.
@dgalef
https://davidgalef.com/
https://www.vestalreview.net/

Reviews

[Miriam Gershow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where I Went Wrong is a meaty, satisfying read. Tony Mazza is a wry, seemingly luckless shmo, but Galef animates the story of Tony's life with pathos and insight. The reverse chronology keeps you seeing and re-seeing Tony’s life - his wives, kids, parents, his many, many jobs - and the structure has unexpected, cumulative power. Galef’s strengths are his voice and humor, though the story is not without gravitas. I’m a reader who’s generally skeptical of a happy ending; it really has to be earned. No spoilers, but Galef earns his ending and then some!

[L Cassuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever, funny, technically dazzling novel: a story of woe told backwards. We follow Tony Mazza backwards in time, and through New Jersey--from one bad decision back to another. He's a schlmiel you stay interested in from start to finish.

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where I Went Wrong by David Galef

This was an entertaining read.
The book balances humour and heart, and the narrator's witty voice was amusing, but the story also tackles some serious life topics.
Despite dealing with deep themes, the narrative remains easy to follow, making it a compelling page turner.
Overall, it's a happy read that will leave you smiling – and maybe even reflecting on your own life journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and General Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Carol Stephan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting structure, unlike any I've read before. The story is told in reverse as the main character Tony Mazza goes through his life wondering where he went wrong. And he went wrong plenty. There is a lot of overlap as he does talk of the past and then later revisits that period of his life. Readers will probably be able to think of some they know that continue to screw up and don't seem to learn from their mistakes, sad sacks that most can only find endearing for a closed period of time.

Tony tells many really bad jokes throughout, at first I found it amusing, later a bit irritating, same feeling about the many times he wonders where he went wrong. One interesting point that I did like was when he was a teenager reading "The Catcher in the Rye" and how he thought Holden Caufield was such a loser. And yet he turned into a Holden Caufield as an adult.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Mazza is down on his luck, in fact, bad days seem to follow him around and define his life. He's had more jobs in his life than he's had hot meals and just keeps making one bad decision after another. As he looks back on his failed relationships, his inadequate relationship with his children and where he ended up, Tony asks himself 'Where did I go wrong?'. The storyline is cleverly told in reverse which keeps you interested and engaged in Tony's story.

A serious story told well in a lightheaded way that is definitely a worthwhile read. Tony's story is told in a humorous and slightly sad manner that gives the story some punch. I couldn't help but like Tony, despite his poor decision-making, I just wouldn't consider him potential boyfriend material.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holly Watson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Wendy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was funny and poignant and structured in an unusual and interesting way. Normally I prefer a story with a beginning, middle followed by an end; but this book unfolds differently. You need to pay attention to the minor characters who appear in some of the early chapters. Some characters turn out to be important later.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storytelling. Totally reminded me of the last guy I dated; and when I say "last," I mean I gave up after that. The jokes were my favorite part, for sure. Very original and well-executed novel.
i won this book in a Goodreads giveaway ✨️

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is probably great entertainment if you’re also a man child. I, however, am not. I found all his antics to be very childish for a grown man. Seriously, after the second or third stupid idea, you’d think he learn. Grow up already!

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

a well-written book with great character development