Chump Change

by David Eddie

David Henry, a young man in New York City bent on literary stardom, finds himself a complete failure and must decide how low he will sink when the opportunity to make some big money presents itself. A first novel. Original. Tour.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Humor

230 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[JOEL PORTER · Rating 3 out of 5]

Randomly picked this up at a used bookstore and couldn’t put it down for the 30 minutes I was there. Picked it up only one more time and finished it. This was a very entertaining read, the author’s writing was very funny and perceptive. It felt like I was having a conversation with a friend. The plot revolves around a 20-something loser and kind of goes nowhere, which may have been the point (and at times hit close to home) but it ended feeling a bit underbaked overall. Still an enjoyable read.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-83...

I found this book at Goodwill. Another book by the same name written by John Fante's son, Dan, is my favorite of his so far. I liked the way Eddie's book started and picked it up for about a dollar. Believe it or not, David Eddie's "Chump Change" is among the better new books I've read in recent years. He's a devotee of John Fante's style himself (the book's main character is clearly evocative of Arturo Bandini from Fante's "Ask The Dust"), which makes me wonder if he chose the same title as Dan on purpose, whether just by some strange rwist of fate--or didn't he maybe get advance notice of Dan's forthcoming book somehow and vengefully STEAL the title--screaming, "I'm John's true son!"-- for no other reasons but vengeance and madness? It could be!

[Danny Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar in his humor to Chuck Palaniuk (without the elaborate plot changes) Eddie paints an interesting and entertaining portrait of a starving writer.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the late 1980s and Dave is living in New York with his girlfriend. He quits his job which he hates and moves back home to Toronto and lives with his friend, Max. Dave has two degrees and wants to be a writer ... he figures it won't be too hard to get some work. When he's borrowed money from just about everyone he can, he's forced to take a job as a news writer at a government-run TV broadcaster. He hates this job but he does likes what earning $40,000 a year can give him ... good scotch, something to eat besides sardines on bread, the ability to socialize, etc.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it. Written in first person perspective in Dave's voice, it is like Dave was telling us his story ... the tone is very conversational. It's funny and sarcastic at times. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult situations.

If you're looking for something quirky, you should check it out.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2014/07...

[Danny Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional debut, seriously. Part of an unholy trinity of the Male Loser In The City subgenre, along with Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City and Arthur Nersesian's The Fuck-Up. This one is probably the best of the three, though I'm biased because I'm a Torontonian. Just read it. You won't regret it.

[Lizzie Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be hilarious.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read. I enjoyed this tale of 20-something loserdom less now that I'm a 30-something loser. Some very amusing bits though. I ought to check out some of the author's later stuff.

[Heather G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've hung onto this book forever. The character and story resonated with me since I was around the David's age when I read it. It's very funny.