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Aversion
Adam Lange is consumed by resentment and anger and has been since the day his father died painfully in hospice. Desperate for a cure to end his grief, Adam hatches a plan: abandon his home and couch surf to save as much money as possible before quitting his job then travel the world indefinitely. This choice quakes the already turbulent relationship with his mother and brother, kicking up the misery of their collective past. As his journey to escape becomes tougher than ever thought imaginable; it strips what little resolve and restraint Adam has unleashing his rage. Eric Monsky describes Adam’s inner life with frightful honesty and intimacy. His shocking, funny and depraved portrait of a man refusing to feel his suffering is a disturbing exploration of human nature and its desperate need for distraction and avoidance in the face of tragedy.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
1 person is currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Eric Monsky
2 books3 followersThe son of a successful news producer, Eric Monsky attended the prestigious Trinity High School on the Upper West Side. Then continued at The Crossroads School in Santa Monica when his family relocated to Los Angeles, where he started writing; submitting poems and short stories to his high school publication. The culture clash between LA and NYC proved to be difficult as was making friends and Monsky longed to return to the East Coast.
In 1991 he attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT and chose to focus on creative writing and English Literature, but one film class inspired him to apply for a scholarship and transfer to NYU Film School.
After graduating his father had a heart-to-heart about Monsky’s future and offered him a PA gig on a CBS one hour reality drama series entitled, ‘I Survived a Disaster’ produced in Los Angeles. Despite his adverse feelings for LA Monsky returned to be a Production Assistant, and aspiring screenwriter. He spent several years hopping around from temp gig to temp gig as an office/set PA working on independent features and music videos; the highlight being his year long stint on ‘The Insider” directed by Michael Mann.
Frustrated with his limited duties Monsky found himself seeking work in the budding industry of reality television where his narrative talents afforded him the opportunity to rise quickly within the ranks while still penning screenplays and television pilots. Ten years beating his skull against the impenetrable wall that is Hollywood, Monsky decide to return to his first love, prose.
The tragic death of his father from leukemia was his inspiration to quit his job and life in Los Angeles and travel the world. While traveling through SE Asia and Indonesia Eric started writing notes for his first novel and relocated to Austin to pen AVERSION .
Eric currently lives happily in Los Feliz with the love of his life.
Check out Eric Monsky's food blog http://www.flavorboner.com
In 1991 he attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT and chose to focus on creative writing and English Literature, but one film class inspired him to apply for a scholarship and transfer to NYU Film School.
After graduating his father had a heart-to-heart about Monsky’s future and offered him a PA gig on a CBS one hour reality drama series entitled, ‘I Survived a Disaster’ produced in Los Angeles. Despite his adverse feelings for LA Monsky returned to be a Production Assistant, and aspiring screenwriter. He spent several years hopping around from temp gig to temp gig as an office/set PA working on independent features and music videos; the highlight being his year long stint on ‘The Insider” directed by Michael Mann.
Frustrated with his limited duties Monsky found himself seeking work in the budding industry of reality television where his narrative talents afforded him the opportunity to rise quickly within the ranks while still penning screenplays and television pilots. Ten years beating his skull against the impenetrable wall that is Hollywood, Monsky decide to return to his first love, prose.
The tragic death of his father from leukemia was his inspiration to quit his job and life in Los Angeles and travel the world. While traveling through SE Asia and Indonesia Eric started writing notes for his first novel and relocated to Austin to pen AVERSION .
Eric currently lives happily in Los Feliz with the love of his life.
Check out Eric Monsky's food blog http://www.flavorboner.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 28, 2014
Just received my free book I won on Good Reads and can't wait to read and review it. Just started to read it last night and gotta keep reading, looking good so far.
Well I am on page 260 of 308. It is a pretty good book, well written. It is not for anyone young even teenagers because of it's mature content. It is one that I normally wouldn't probably pick on my own to read; but I have been enjoying this book. It isn't a grabber from the first page but slowly pulls you in till you can't put it down because you want to know what happens to this family.
I finished and I'm proud to be a first reader of this book. What's it about: Adam's family is falling apart after the death of his dad. Adam is working in reality t.v. and has become stuck in a rut, something needs to change so he start's to plan his escape by planning a trip to backpack across Europe and other places. If you want to know more-Read the book! I have to say that over all it was a good book and I found it to be well written, by that I mean that Eric Monsky did his job well by transporting you into Adams' world, which is why most of us read to get away from our daily lives into someone else's anyway. Now being a Midwestern girl I wasn't really prepared for the drugs and sex in this book because even though this goes on around here too Midwesterner's are good at skirting those issues. You have to remember that you are reading a book written from a young mans' point of view and someone who was born and raised in NYC and lives in L.A.. In fact I think Eric could really expand this book into a sequel to continue Adams travels; I would like to read more from Mr. Monsky as I got really wrapped up in Adam's life. I found it insightful and entertaining. Gave me a view from a man's perspective that I usually don't see in most books. If you get a chance I would highly recommend you read this book for it's unique atmosphere. Let it slowly grab your attention and reel you in. I changed my rating from three to four stars today because I read this book so quickly, because it was so well written, that as the days passed and the book continued to stick with me I decided that I didn't give it it's just due. This is a very good book and days after you read it there will be pieces of it floating through your mind. To me that is the mark of a good book.
Well I am on page 260 of 308. It is a pretty good book, well written. It is not for anyone young even teenagers because of it's mature content. It is one that I normally wouldn't probably pick on my own to read; but I have been enjoying this book. It isn't a grabber from the first page but slowly pulls you in till you can't put it down because you want to know what happens to this family.
I finished and I'm proud to be a first reader of this book. What's it about: Adam's family is falling apart after the death of his dad. Adam is working in reality t.v. and has become stuck in a rut, something needs to change so he start's to plan his escape by planning a trip to backpack across Europe and other places. If you want to know more-Read the book! I have to say that over all it was a good book and I found it to be well written, by that I mean that Eric Monsky did his job well by transporting you into Adams' world, which is why most of us read to get away from our daily lives into someone else's anyway. Now being a Midwestern girl I wasn't really prepared for the drugs and sex in this book because even though this goes on around here too Midwesterner's are good at skirting those issues. You have to remember that you are reading a book written from a young mans' point of view and someone who was born and raised in NYC and lives in L.A.. In fact I think Eric could really expand this book into a sequel to continue Adams travels; I would like to read more from Mr. Monsky as I got really wrapped up in Adam's life. I found it insightful and entertaining. Gave me a view from a man's perspective that I usually don't see in most books. If you get a chance I would highly recommend you read this book for it's unique atmosphere. Let it slowly grab your attention and reel you in. I changed my rating from three to four stars today because I read this book so quickly, because it was so well written, that as the days passed and the book continued to stick with me I decided that I didn't give it it's just due. This is a very good book and days after you read it there will be pieces of it floating through your mind. To me that is the mark of a good book.
September 8, 2014
I got this as a Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoyed it. I don't often read straight fiction like this, but this was really well-written and interesting. I suppose I should issue a warning about plenty of profanity, sexual content and drug use (particularly alcohol, marijuana and cocaine). But the character lives in LA, so what do you expect? His hatred of his job, the sensation that it's crushing his soul, is easy to relate to. He's got some major anger issues that many readers may also be able to relate to. He can be a bit of a dick sometimes, but he can also be a nice guy.
I think what makes the book work is that the characters all feel authentic. They feel like real people. Monsky does a great job writing friendships, and it makes the book a lot more enjoyable. I do find some of the dialogue a bit weird, but I suspect it's just because I'm not from LA, so I'm simply not used to hearing people talk the way the characters do, and it didn't happen too often and wasn't too much of a distraction.
All in all, I thought this was a great book, and one that's worth checking out.
I think what makes the book work is that the characters all feel authentic. They feel like real people. Monsky does a great job writing friendships, and it makes the book a lot more enjoyable. I do find some of the dialogue a bit weird, but I suspect it's just because I'm not from LA, so I'm simply not used to hearing people talk the way the characters do, and it didn't happen too often and wasn't too much of a distraction.
All in all, I thought this was a great book, and one that's worth checking out.
November 8, 2014
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I have to tell the truth and admit that I did not like this book at all. That being said I will keep my review short for the following reason....
From what I have determined this is a real account of Monsky's life. Because of this I will not judge as I believe in the therapeutic power of writing and how it can heal. If by penning this story he was able to grow and move forward from his emotional issues than who am I to say that it didn't appeal to me. My opinion does not matter. It was honest if anything.
I will only say that this would be classified as "man-Lit". Woman may be turned off by some of what occurs in this story as it was crude at times.
Kudos to Monsky for having the courage to write it.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I have to tell the truth and admit that I did not like this book at all. That being said I will keep my review short for the following reason....
From what I have determined this is a real account of Monsky's life. Because of this I will not judge as I believe in the therapeutic power of writing and how it can heal. If by penning this story he was able to grow and move forward from his emotional issues than who am I to say that it didn't appeal to me. My opinion does not matter. It was honest if anything.
I will only say that this would be classified as "man-Lit". Woman may be turned off by some of what occurs in this story as it was crude at times.
Kudos to Monsky for having the courage to write it.
July 8, 2014
AVERSION is one of the most engaging books I have ever read. Funny, touching, dark, uplifting, fascinating, and extremely well written.
Eric Monsky's writing of lead character Adam Lange's is brilliant. The honesty with which Adam's feelings, both dark and light, are told is startlingly sincere. It's the deepest look into the 30-something male brain I have ever had and I vacillated between wanting to hug and slap Adam Lange.
Having, thankfully, not having had to deal with the loss of a parent, I still was moved to tears over the drawn out death of Adam's father. The pain from loss with this character is so vivid that even when he is at his ugliest you are pulling for him to find hope. You want him to succeed, to find love, to find peace, to restore his relationship with his family...
This book really had it all and I fervently look forward to Eric Monsky's next book.
Eric Monsky's writing of lead character Adam Lange's is brilliant. The honesty with which Adam's feelings, both dark and light, are told is startlingly sincere. It's the deepest look into the 30-something male brain I have ever had and I vacillated between wanting to hug and slap Adam Lange.
Having, thankfully, not having had to deal with the loss of a parent, I still was moved to tears over the drawn out death of Adam's father. The pain from loss with this character is so vivid that even when he is at his ugliest you are pulling for him to find hope. You want him to succeed, to find love, to find peace, to restore his relationship with his family...
This book really had it all and I fervently look forward to Eric Monsky's next book.
October 2, 2014
Aversion is a well-written and compelling first novel.
Monsky captures what life is like when you’re single and work in the entertainment business in modern Los Angeles. It’s often funny, sometimes bleak, and always brutally honest.
He also captures the endless chatter that fills a man’s mind. Women, if you want to understand how single men think, read this book. Although the main character is more messed up than your average young urban professional, I saw and heard myself in Adam more than I’d like to admit. You’ll laugh, sympathize, but also wince.
Adam is a great character — he’s smart, funny, works hard, he’s a good friend and he just wants a decent girlfriend. Unfortunately his mind is a mess, he’s full of self-loathing and anger and he’s terrified to face what’s causing it all. Instead he punishes himself with booze, cigarettes, cocaine, and one-night stands with equally messed-up women, all easy to find in Los Angeles. Half the time I was laughing, the other half I wanted to slap him upside his head.
He has plans to escape Los Angeles and go on a world trek to find himself, but I was constantly worried that he’d never make it on the plane. I was convinced he’d either get stabbed by a one-night stand or beaten up by a bouncer in a bar.
Monsky’s writing style has echoes of Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City) a young Phillip Roth (Portnoy’s Complaint), and Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club and Choke). I look forward to the next one.
Monsky captures what life is like when you’re single and work in the entertainment business in modern Los Angeles. It’s often funny, sometimes bleak, and always brutally honest.
He also captures the endless chatter that fills a man’s mind. Women, if you want to understand how single men think, read this book. Although the main character is more messed up than your average young urban professional, I saw and heard myself in Adam more than I’d like to admit. You’ll laugh, sympathize, but also wince.
Adam is a great character — he’s smart, funny, works hard, he’s a good friend and he just wants a decent girlfriend. Unfortunately his mind is a mess, he’s full of self-loathing and anger and he’s terrified to face what’s causing it all. Instead he punishes himself with booze, cigarettes, cocaine, and one-night stands with equally messed-up women, all easy to find in Los Angeles. Half the time I was laughing, the other half I wanted to slap him upside his head.
He has plans to escape Los Angeles and go on a world trek to find himself, but I was constantly worried that he’d never make it on the plane. I was convinced he’d either get stabbed by a one-night stand or beaten up by a bouncer in a bar.
Monsky’s writing style has echoes of Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City) a young Phillip Roth (Portnoy’s Complaint), and Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club and Choke). I look forward to the next one.
April 25, 2018
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Givaway, but I realized early on that I was not the intended audience for this book, as a teenage girl. I think the tone and content would appeal more to men.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews