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Of Mice and Me
At 37, writer/musician Mishka Shubaly thought his life was going great. He had a beautiful new girlfriend and sudden prosperity as an author. But when he adopts an orphaned infant mouse, his world is turned on its head. The mouse comes to symbolize everything left unresolved in his life — his relationship with his divorced parents, his fear of family and commitment, and his inability to feel true happiness and love. By turns hilarious and moving, Mishka Shubaly’s latest Kindle Single captures the journey we all take in life — from being loved, to giving love.
Cover by Adil Dara.
Cover by Adil Dara.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2014
39 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Mishka Shubaly
15 books191 followersAfter receiving an expensive MFA from Columbia University, Mishka Shubaly promptly quit writing to play music. He lived out of a Toyota minivan for a year, touring nonstop, and has shared the stage with artists like The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Decemberists.
His Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers. He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception and their aftermath. His work has been praised for its grit, humor, fearlessness and heart. 'The Long Run,' his mini-memoir detailing his transformation from alcoholic drug abuser to sober ultrarunner is one of the best-selling Kindle Singles to date.
Mishka Shubaly lives in Brooklyn where he writes music and plays bass for Freshkills. He is at work on a new solo record of his original songs and a full-length memoir.
His Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers. He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception and their aftermath. His work has been praised for its grit, humor, fearlessness and heart. 'The Long Run,' his mini-memoir detailing his transformation from alcoholic drug abuser to sober ultrarunner is one of the best-selling Kindle Singles to date.
Mishka Shubaly lives in Brooklyn where he writes music and plays bass for Freshkills. He is at work on a new solo record of his original songs and a full-length memoir.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2021
2.5 stars. I think it is very courageous for someone to write about their life but the mouse thing just lost me.
November 10, 2014
The author learns about relationships after adopting a mouse. Seriously. It was a quick read, short, humorous at times, focused on his fear of having children and his recovery from drugs and alcohol (but not from heavy use of the "f" word.)
September 3, 2014
I love Mishka's writing and honesty towards his life.
June 15, 2019
The summary should read: Author can't decide whether or not he wants children so he goes back and forth and looks for signs, and maybe he finds a sign that he should have kids when he cares for a dog-attacked baby mouse. Or maybe it is a sign that he shouldn't have kids because exerting that much energy to care for a little life is hard work and emotions.
In the end, I didn't care one way or the other.
There were some really funny passages, though, and the author's voice is clear and honest. It just seemed like most of the book was him overthinking everything in life. I was glad it was a short read.
In the end, I didn't care one way or the other.
There were some really funny passages, though, and the author's voice is clear and honest. It just seemed like most of the book was him overthinking everything in life. I was glad it was a short read.
July 20, 2018
Very enjoyable Read
I love how real the main character is. It was a good read I would highly recommended it. Great price too!
I love how real the main character is. It was a good read I would highly recommended it. Great price too!
May 6, 2019
Curious to see how many more books this man will write about himself before he realises how incredibly dull he is
May 7, 2019
Misogynist tripe
April 23, 2022
Audiobook
September 8, 2015
When I chose to read, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, over the summer, I knew that it would be very different from the books that I typically read. In fact, if I didn’t have to read for school, I would probably never read a book that was not part of the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan. I ultimately chose to subject myself to the misery I thought might come with reading this novel, because I had already read it in middle school. It may seem odd that I would read a book, which I found boring, for a second time, but I hoped that with the vast knowledge and experience that I had accrued throughout high school, I could read the book again, and see its message in a new light. The process of reading this book for a second time was not as surprising as I had hoped. Much like last time, I found the majority of the book to be boring, and it wasn’t very hard to force myself to put it down, and take a break during the middle chapters. However, towards the end of the book I began to become more engaged in the plot of the story, and realized that the reason that this book is a classic is not because it is a book that the reader “cannot put down” but instead because it was one with intricate and detailed characters, which taught an important life lesson.
I found Steinbeck’s characters very realistic and relatable, and I think the author wanted the reader to sympathize with Lennie, and his disability, so I did. While reading this book, I drew parallels to my own life, through the way that George treated Lennie. This relationship reminded me of my bond with my parents, because like Lennie, I often make mistakes, and like George, my parents are always there to clean up my messes. The scene that reminded me most of this connection was the one in which Lennie asks George for some ketchup for his beans. This reminded me of my relationship with my parents because the speech that George gave Lennie about being ungrateful for what he had, and always wanting more, was reminiscent of the majority of conversations that I have with my parents.
George and Lennie faced many problems throughout this novel, but I think that it is clear that all of these problems were the result of their horrific social status. George and Lennie were poor farmers, and their dream of living, and owning a farm of their own made it very clear that all of their problems stemmed from the quality of life that they lived. In their condition, there was no feasible way to live a problem-free life. George and Lennie did not end up resolving this problem, because Steinbeck wanted to show that their dream to end this struggle was almost impossible to attain. John Steinbeck writes this book in a very realistic manner, and makes the problems in this book as ordinary as he can, in order to keep his message as relatable as possible. For instance, when Lennie talked in the book, he talked like he had a disability. Readers can learn from the message of this book, which is that life is cruel, and in most situations hard work and faith are not enough to achieve the “American dream”. I would love to read another book by Steinbeck because I found his realistic style refreshing, and a change of pace from my usual reading exploits. I think that the general book-reading audience would really enjoy this book, and see the merits of its moral, but my peers would find it very boring for most of the book. Overall, I gave this book a 7/10 rating, because while it does convey a great message, and creates many important parallels to everyday life, it fails to captivate the reader throughout the entire book.
I found Steinbeck’s characters very realistic and relatable, and I think the author wanted the reader to sympathize with Lennie, and his disability, so I did. While reading this book, I drew parallels to my own life, through the way that George treated Lennie. This relationship reminded me of my bond with my parents, because like Lennie, I often make mistakes, and like George, my parents are always there to clean up my messes. The scene that reminded me most of this connection was the one in which Lennie asks George for some ketchup for his beans. This reminded me of my relationship with my parents because the speech that George gave Lennie about being ungrateful for what he had, and always wanting more, was reminiscent of the majority of conversations that I have with my parents.
George and Lennie faced many problems throughout this novel, but I think that it is clear that all of these problems were the result of their horrific social status. George and Lennie were poor farmers, and their dream of living, and owning a farm of their own made it very clear that all of their problems stemmed from the quality of life that they lived. In their condition, there was no feasible way to live a problem-free life. George and Lennie did not end up resolving this problem, because Steinbeck wanted to show that their dream to end this struggle was almost impossible to attain. John Steinbeck writes this book in a very realistic manner, and makes the problems in this book as ordinary as he can, in order to keep his message as relatable as possible. For instance, when Lennie talked in the book, he talked like he had a disability. Readers can learn from the message of this book, which is that life is cruel, and in most situations hard work and faith are not enough to achieve the “American dream”. I would love to read another book by Steinbeck because I found his realistic style refreshing, and a change of pace from my usual reading exploits. I think that the general book-reading audience would really enjoy this book, and see the merits of its moral, but my peers would find it very boring for most of the book. Overall, I gave this book a 7/10 rating, because while it does convey a great message, and creates many important parallels to everyday life, it fails to captivate the reader throughout the entire book.
October 1, 2014
This is an entertaining story, funny at times, but it seemed more like a journal, in which a person who has recently overcome drug addiction is trying to convince himself that he could be a good father. It's small, fast faced book, so you won't be bored at least.
October 15, 2014
Loved it!
What a great story about family, growth, and love! I thoroughly enjoyed the author's description of realizing his role in the world through his relationships with his family and his mouse.
What a great story about family, growth, and love! I thoroughly enjoyed the author's description of realizing his role in the world through his relationships with his family and his mouse.
January 3, 2015
I loved this book, as someone who once had similar apprehensions towards parenting, this short novella spoke accurately of my own path on the subject. Highly recommend. Funny, insightful and well written.
October 28, 2014
Mishka
really fun and enjoyable book very heartwarming full of love and laughs read this book in a day very enjoyable.
really fun and enjoyable book very heartwarming full of love and laughs read this book in a day very enjoyable.
February 22, 2015
Excellent story
So down to earth and real. A great book. Why are eleven more words required? why why why why why?
So down to earth and real. A great book. Why are eleven more words required? why why why why why?
April 1, 2015
Quite touching in some parts. Quite tiring in others."
April 30, 2015
New favorite writer!!!!
After reading this book, now I know I want more from the author. Very clear and sincere reading, lots of fun and a wonderful way of spending a few hours.
After reading this book, now I know I want more from the author. Very clear and sincere reading, lots of fun and a wonderful way of spending a few hours.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews