Turning Failure Into Ideology

by Brian Polk

How is a 26-year-old angst-ridden writer supposed to interpret his alleged shortcomings if he doesn’t feel like a failure? In Turning Failure Into Ideology, Eli Indignation refuses to let society assess his creative endeavors—regardless of the income they generate, which is nil. He’s also ruined every relationship he’s ever had, hated every job he’s ever worked, and made over 20 issues of a zine nobody’s ever read. But who’s to say he isn’t successful? If Eli can’t be bothered by traditional measurements of prosperity—luxury cars, huge houses, and corporate careers—then he’s free to blaze his own path to success. But of course, there are obstacles to overcome; there always are.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Julene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up a copy of this DIY/punk-rock-inspired publication at a local book store. Enjoyed the story (even if I did occasionally want to strangle the narrator) but found it pretty spot-on in regards to the DIY/punk creative types I encountered in Denver, especially in the early aughts.