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Surviving Crazy
After a gigantic solar storm plunges the world into the dark ages, a cast of borderline crazy characters find themselves stranded at a remote mountain diner. Cut off from the rest of the electricity-deprived world, the group, whose grip on sanity is tenuous, and whose coping skills leave much to be desired, are forced to rely on each other with laughingly absurd results. As their situation rapidly deteriorates, the distant town of Jericho becomes their only hope for survival. Only the road to Jericho is fraught with peril that only the bravest of them may survive. Worse, Jericho may not be the safe haven they desperately seek. How will they survive this new bizarre and frightening world where everyone’s a nut in a place that’s getting nuttier by the day is anyone’s guess.
- GenresHumor
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 15, 2020
Now, this is fairly unusual, a wackadoodle comedy that actually works. A bunch of hilariously wildly over the top characters dealing with a very serious EMP sort of an apocalypse.
At first, there were just chance meetings at a remote mountain diner, conversations had mainly to distract themselves from the terrible, practically inedible food served there. And then the power went out. Phones and cars suddenly rendered useless, the civilization as they knew it until then…over. Now their only chance at survival is to get to the nearest town, but this involves planning and coordinating a bunch of lunatics, so yeah…it’s a comedy.
In fact, the town where they believe salvation might lie is also populated by a bunch of lunatics, so it’s all fun and games on both sides…but also pretty dangerous. The legendary Chekov’s gun thing here is an arsenal, driven by a Sasquatch sized competitive country line dancing fried pet food entrepreneur. Yeah, that’s just one of the characters. And yeah, they are all that wacky. You got to appreciate the bold just go for it approach the author took with his characters, they are all positively loony, with mad backstories and loopy trajectories…but this asylum is hopping. They might be stark raving but they are perfectly sane and reasonable to themselves, that’s what makes it so funny. The innate underlying logic to the madness. Except for Riley, the classic straight man of the story, whose road to professional redemption becomes…well, whatever this is.
So yeah, the entire production is very, very silly and the cast is completely certifiable, but if you’re in the right mood, this screwball comedy is very entertaining and genuinely funny at times. I was thoroughly entertained, at times to actual laughter. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
At first, there were just chance meetings at a remote mountain diner, conversations had mainly to distract themselves from the terrible, practically inedible food served there. And then the power went out. Phones and cars suddenly rendered useless, the civilization as they knew it until then…over. Now their only chance at survival is to get to the nearest town, but this involves planning and coordinating a bunch of lunatics, so yeah…it’s a comedy.
In fact, the town where they believe salvation might lie is also populated by a bunch of lunatics, so it’s all fun and games on both sides…but also pretty dangerous. The legendary Chekov’s gun thing here is an arsenal, driven by a Sasquatch sized competitive country line dancing fried pet food entrepreneur. Yeah, that’s just one of the characters. And yeah, they are all that wacky. You got to appreciate the bold just go for it approach the author took with his characters, they are all positively loony, with mad backstories and loopy trajectories…but this asylum is hopping. They might be stark raving but they are perfectly sane and reasonable to themselves, that’s what makes it so funny. The innate underlying logic to the madness. Except for Riley, the classic straight man of the story, whose road to professional redemption becomes…well, whatever this is.
So yeah, the entire production is very, very silly and the cast is completely certifiable, but if you’re in the right mood, this screwball comedy is very entertaining and genuinely funny at times. I was thoroughly entertained, at times to actual laughter. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
June 25, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A group of whacky people wind up in Idaho when a solar flare erupts, shorting out almost everything electrical. The group of people try to fend for themselves and to get help, but everybody else in Idaho is crazy, too. They have all sorts of misadventures.
If comedy movies were still allowed, I could see this being made into something not too unlike It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
A group of whacky people wind up in Idaho when a solar flare erupts, shorting out almost everything electrical. The group of people try to fend for themselves and to get help, but everybody else in Idaho is crazy, too. They have all sorts of misadventures.
If comedy movies were still allowed, I could see this being made into something not too unlike It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
December 21, 2020
The thing about this book, is it reminded me a lot of the humor and writing style of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which I read earlier this year. That is such a beloved book and when I finally dug into it, I felt like Alice who just fell down the rabbit hole, but not in a good way. I didn’t understand why the humor was funny. The plot was good and interesting but all the layers of nonsense just made the whole story a joke. Which of course, was the whole point. I get that but I didn’t enjoy it.
In Surviving Crazy, I felt like I had picked up book 2 of Hitchhiker’s. The plot is really interesting and I was very excited to start reading. It began really well and here is an example of the great writing contained within the story:
“After what seemed like an eternity, the rest stop finally appeared. It sat eerily alone in a small open patch off the roadside, dwarfed by the surrounding, impenetrable forest. It looked like something one might see in a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Only in this case, the gingerbread house was a diner called O’Shea’s.”
I mean that almost gives me goosebumps and seems like a Stephen King kind of story that I would love! Even some of the humor at the beginning was really funny:
‘…middle-aged with a creased face topped in a short crop of graying hair, he had the look of someone comfortable in a profession designated to mete out vicious beatings. Perhaps a prison guard or a middle school vice principle.”
Hilarious!
But… all of the side stories of characters were just over the top ‘Blazing Saddles’ comedy bits, which are truly not my cup of tea. Examples are the Stagnant Pond’s Park Paradise with sickly insects and fungus-infected frog wizards, the Open Hatchet carry laws, the Tick and Flea Resort Inn and the Mothers Against Reckless Paddle Boating. Add to that the ridiculous names of these side characters: Yancy Bullwinkle, Sherriff Jack Quack with his girlfriend Kandi Korne, and on and on.
A great storyline turned in to these short side stories of nonsense events with funny-named side characters. For me, this drew me completely out of the story and I just wanted to put the book down. It’s really unfortunate as I think there was ultimately really good writing here and this could have been an excellent Thriller/Horror type book, which is what I thought it was when I requested this ARC from BookSprout.
If Hitchhiker’s is your thing – then I think you will appreciate the humor this author was going for and you should absolutely pick up this book as you won’t come across another one like this for a long time!
In Surviving Crazy, I felt like I had picked up book 2 of Hitchhiker’s. The plot is really interesting and I was very excited to start reading. It began really well and here is an example of the great writing contained within the story:
“After what seemed like an eternity, the rest stop finally appeared. It sat eerily alone in a small open patch off the roadside, dwarfed by the surrounding, impenetrable forest. It looked like something one might see in a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Only in this case, the gingerbread house was a diner called O’Shea’s.”
I mean that almost gives me goosebumps and seems like a Stephen King kind of story that I would love! Even some of the humor at the beginning was really funny:
‘…middle-aged with a creased face topped in a short crop of graying hair, he had the look of someone comfortable in a profession designated to mete out vicious beatings. Perhaps a prison guard or a middle school vice principle.”
Hilarious!
But… all of the side stories of characters were just over the top ‘Blazing Saddles’ comedy bits, which are truly not my cup of tea. Examples are the Stagnant Pond’s Park Paradise with sickly insects and fungus-infected frog wizards, the Open Hatchet carry laws, the Tick and Flea Resort Inn and the Mothers Against Reckless Paddle Boating. Add to that the ridiculous names of these side characters: Yancy Bullwinkle, Sherriff Jack Quack with his girlfriend Kandi Korne, and on and on.
A great storyline turned in to these short side stories of nonsense events with funny-named side characters. For me, this drew me completely out of the story and I just wanted to put the book down. It’s really unfortunate as I think there was ultimately really good writing here and this could have been an excellent Thriller/Horror type book, which is what I thought it was when I requested this ARC from BookSprout.
If Hitchhiker’s is your thing – then I think you will appreciate the humor this author was going for and you should absolutely pick up this book as you won’t come across another one like this for a long time!
Want to Read
December 25, 2020Surviving Crazy
Readers' Favorite 5 Stars!
https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
Writing good comedy is not easy. I know, I’ve tried but author Frank Crimi appears to have hit upon the solution in this madcap tale of an apocalypse in Surviving Crazy. The author has created the most unusual and disparate group of characters his fevered mind could conjure up and the amazing thing is they work and they are funny together, especially their interactions. By drawing caricatures that are so much larger than life, he has created some hilarious slapstick, visual comedy but much deeper than that, he allows his characters to go beyond the slapstick and into more cerebral humor. This is a funny book in the “slap him on the head” style of comedy and that would be enough in itself but this goes deeper and explores the stereotypes and labels we place on people, how we make snap judgments and often allow our preconceived perceptions to pre-judge before we’ve even gotten to know the individual. I thought this made the narrative not only funny but an interesting exploration of the human condition. By subjecting these characters to the most horrendous situation any of us can imagine brought out the worst and, yes, occasionally the best in the human condition and psyche. To be able to do this in a story meant to make us laugh is an indication of the author’s talent and I must commend him for this. I loved this easy and funny read and can highly recommend it.
Self-Publishing Review ★★★★½! ....
https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/...
A bizarre cast of characters with a healthy dose of paranoia are forced to face an apparent apocalypse together in Surviving Crazy by Frank Crimi. With a long, character-building fuse and a whip-smart pen behind the imagery-rich writing, this novel hums with tension and possibility from the start. From doomsday preppers, moody fry cooks, and might-be Russian assassins, to mysterious damsels and an old ballplayer looking for one last shot at glory or purpose, Crimi does a remarkable job of weaving backstory into every strange scene. With secondary plot lines adding to the suspense, but never giving away the twist, Surviving Crazy is a head-scratching read that will make you laugh out loud and stay up late to see how it all plays out.
Midwest Book Review ....
"An exceptional and original novel that holds the reader’s fully entertained attention from beginning to end. An impressive and deftly crafted novel populated with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists and turns”
Red City Review....
“Crimi has skillfully captured his vision of the post-apocalyptic future with humor and over-the-top comedy… a colorful burst of comedy and satire.”…Red City Review
US Review of Books...
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/S...
“An entirely new perspective on end-time scenarios. Readers should hold onto their hats in this fast-paced story. It is bursting with troublesome yet loveable characters who fill this tale with hyperbole, danger, and amazing camaraderie”
Readers' Favorite 5 Stars!
https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
Writing good comedy is not easy. I know, I’ve tried but author Frank Crimi appears to have hit upon the solution in this madcap tale of an apocalypse in Surviving Crazy. The author has created the most unusual and disparate group of characters his fevered mind could conjure up and the amazing thing is they work and they are funny together, especially their interactions. By drawing caricatures that are so much larger than life, he has created some hilarious slapstick, visual comedy but much deeper than that, he allows his characters to go beyond the slapstick and into more cerebral humor. This is a funny book in the “slap him on the head” style of comedy and that would be enough in itself but this goes deeper and explores the stereotypes and labels we place on people, how we make snap judgments and often allow our preconceived perceptions to pre-judge before we’ve even gotten to know the individual. I thought this made the narrative not only funny but an interesting exploration of the human condition. By subjecting these characters to the most horrendous situation any of us can imagine brought out the worst and, yes, occasionally the best in the human condition and psyche. To be able to do this in a story meant to make us laugh is an indication of the author’s talent and I must commend him for this. I loved this easy and funny read and can highly recommend it.
Self-Publishing Review ★★★★½! ....
https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/...
A bizarre cast of characters with a healthy dose of paranoia are forced to face an apparent apocalypse together in Surviving Crazy by Frank Crimi. With a long, character-building fuse and a whip-smart pen behind the imagery-rich writing, this novel hums with tension and possibility from the start. From doomsday preppers, moody fry cooks, and might-be Russian assassins, to mysterious damsels and an old ballplayer looking for one last shot at glory or purpose, Crimi does a remarkable job of weaving backstory into every strange scene. With secondary plot lines adding to the suspense, but never giving away the twist, Surviving Crazy is a head-scratching read that will make you laugh out loud and stay up late to see how it all plays out.
Midwest Book Review ....
"An exceptional and original novel that holds the reader’s fully entertained attention from beginning to end. An impressive and deftly crafted novel populated with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists and turns”
Red City Review....
“Crimi has skillfully captured his vision of the post-apocalyptic future with humor and over-the-top comedy… a colorful burst of comedy and satire.”…Red City Review
US Review of Books...
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/S...
“An entirely new perspective on end-time scenarios. Readers should hold onto their hats in this fast-paced story. It is bursting with troublesome yet loveable characters who fill this tale with hyperbole, danger, and amazing camaraderie”
March 18, 2015
Given To Me For An Honest Review
divine roosters & angry clowns: an unexpected gathering by Frank Crimi is such a fun must read. Once you open the book it will grab you and hold you down as you watch the pages turn and turn and turn some more until you get to the last page. This book will bring on a smile, then a chuckle and them a full out burst of laughter and then a belly laugh. The ending will surprise you because it won't be what you will be expecting. This book would make a great gift to give. I recommend this book to everyone and I look for more from Frank Crimi.
divine roosters & angry clowns: an unexpected gathering by Frank Crimi is such a fun must read. Once you open the book it will grab you and hold you down as you watch the pages turn and turn and turn some more until you get to the last page. This book will bring on a smile, then a chuckle and them a full out burst of laughter and then a belly laugh. The ending will surprise you because it won't be what you will be expecting. This book would make a great gift to give. I recommend this book to everyone and I look for more from Frank Crimi.
December 16, 2020
Surviving Crazy by Frank Crimi is a humorous spin on a disastrously epic solar flare apocalypse story. The author gives readers a variety of characters who, on their separate paths are brought together by chance in that fateful moment and must work together to…survive crazy.
Surviving Crazy is the first book that I have read by Frank Crimi, but I’m telling you now, it won’t be the last. I love a good apocalypse story, but I was curious as to how the humor aspect was going to work. I was not disappointed in how things are brought about in the humor arena of this story. Riley is one of the main characters the story focuses on, and for good reason. I won’t spill the beans because it all comes together to create a unique twist at the end. I love the variety of characters and the backstories that have brought each of them to where they are in the present situation. Each backstory is unique in its own way while most of them have one connecting factor – Plucky Rooster, a chicken restaurant.
Some of these characters, I honestly had to snicker at their situations because they walked into some of them with eyes and arms open wide…(coughs – Duke). Lol Some of the characters I literally found my face screwing up in disbelief at times because I was like…what?! When things go south at the diner, before and after, the epically quiet event, I couldn’t help but giggle. Riley and Duke have quite a way with people and it shows. I love how the author lets me run away with my imagination in concern to Grady, the cook, in certain scenes. I was so ready to believe that he was deadly and dangerous.
I love how true to life these characters are. While a couple of backstories were really ridiculous they still managed to hold some believability to them. There is such a range of characters, too. Each one is unique and brings a different element to the story. Some of them are useful characters and then there were the others who I thought…if something bad happened to them it honestly wouldn’t be that big of a deal. LOL! With the humor appropriately layered in this book reads like a hilarious round of a series of unfortunate events.
My only real complaint would be how so many stories had such a common theme of connecting in some way, no matter the distance, to the Plucky Rooster restaurant. I’m sure that the author wanted a connecting theme for the story and the characters, so I don’t mind it too much. I did get annoyed when several of them became so ungrateful. I really just wanted someone to say “Okay, you, you, you and you can come, but the rest of you ungrateful wretches can fend for yourselves.” A bit harsh? Perhaps...but don’t worry…it doesn’t happen.
This book was a lot of fun to read from start to finish. There were honestly some moments of this book where my jaw literally dropped to the floor and I shrieked with laughter. What made it even funnier was one of the characters shrieked as well...but for a completely different reason. This book is funny, but also reminds us that this very situation could happen and most of us...would really not know how to handle it. For me, this book is a fun read and I'd encourage others to check it out.
I am choosing to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I couldn't put it down and the author does a great job keeping me engaged from beginning to end. The characters get on my nerves with their hypocrisy towards each other and how they are really ungrateful, but at the end of the day...isn't that how human nature truly is? I can't wait to read what this author cooks up next, because this book was a great read.
Surviving Crazy is the first book that I have read by Frank Crimi, but I’m telling you now, it won’t be the last. I love a good apocalypse story, but I was curious as to how the humor aspect was going to work. I was not disappointed in how things are brought about in the humor arena of this story. Riley is one of the main characters the story focuses on, and for good reason. I won’t spill the beans because it all comes together to create a unique twist at the end. I love the variety of characters and the backstories that have brought each of them to where they are in the present situation. Each backstory is unique in its own way while most of them have one connecting factor – Plucky Rooster, a chicken restaurant.
Some of these characters, I honestly had to snicker at their situations because they walked into some of them with eyes and arms open wide…(coughs – Duke). Lol Some of the characters I literally found my face screwing up in disbelief at times because I was like…what?! When things go south at the diner, before and after, the epically quiet event, I couldn’t help but giggle. Riley and Duke have quite a way with people and it shows. I love how the author lets me run away with my imagination in concern to Grady, the cook, in certain scenes. I was so ready to believe that he was deadly and dangerous.
I love how true to life these characters are. While a couple of backstories were really ridiculous they still managed to hold some believability to them. There is such a range of characters, too. Each one is unique and brings a different element to the story. Some of them are useful characters and then there were the others who I thought…if something bad happened to them it honestly wouldn’t be that big of a deal. LOL! With the humor appropriately layered in this book reads like a hilarious round of a series of unfortunate events.
My only real complaint would be how so many stories had such a common theme of connecting in some way, no matter the distance, to the Plucky Rooster restaurant. I’m sure that the author wanted a connecting theme for the story and the characters, so I don’t mind it too much. I did get annoyed when several of them became so ungrateful. I really just wanted someone to say “Okay, you, you, you and you can come, but the rest of you ungrateful wretches can fend for yourselves.” A bit harsh? Perhaps...but don’t worry…it doesn’t happen.
This book was a lot of fun to read from start to finish. There were honestly some moments of this book where my jaw literally dropped to the floor and I shrieked with laughter. What made it even funnier was one of the characters shrieked as well...but for a completely different reason. This book is funny, but also reminds us that this very situation could happen and most of us...would really not know how to handle it. For me, this book is a fun read and I'd encourage others to check it out.
I am choosing to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I couldn't put it down and the author does a great job keeping me engaged from beginning to end. The characters get on my nerves with their hypocrisy towards each other and how they are really ungrateful, but at the end of the day...isn't that how human nature truly is? I can't wait to read what this author cooks up next, because this book was a great read.
December 16, 2020
Surviving Crazy by Frank Crimi is a highly recommended hilarious post-apocalyptic tale.
Riley Knight has been struggling with his employment options when he is offered the opportunity to be a major-league scout for the Arizona Prickly Heat baseball team. He is sent off to the town of Jericho, Idaho, to scout a rumored incredible player. In a roadside diner on the way to Jericho an apparent solar flare sends out an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and all the electrical power goes out. This means phone lines are down, cars won't run, along with no power. What Riley discovers is that he is stuck at a remote diner with a bunch of crazy people. What he and the others don't know is that the road to Jericho, the city they are all hoping to get help from, is full of hazards and the city is filled with even more crazy people.
This novel is packed with quirky, unconventional, satirical characters and the dialogue is packed with one quip, joke, wisecrack, and diversion after another. The whole plot is one ludicrous, absurd, romp through a post-apocalyptic world full of people who didn't start out on the normal side of sane. This means their coping skills and survival instincts are also lacking. Basically the inmates are running the asylum and all of them are convinced they are reasonable people. Surviving Crazy follows the people stuck at the diner and people in Jericho. The comedy is non-stop, so much so it is almost overwhelming at times, and there are even a few twists thrown into the plot. In the end it actually showcases some veracity about the human condition.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author via Netgalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/1...
Riley Knight has been struggling with his employment options when he is offered the opportunity to be a major-league scout for the Arizona Prickly Heat baseball team. He is sent off to the town of Jericho, Idaho, to scout a rumored incredible player. In a roadside diner on the way to Jericho an apparent solar flare sends out an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and all the electrical power goes out. This means phone lines are down, cars won't run, along with no power. What Riley discovers is that he is stuck at a remote diner with a bunch of crazy people. What he and the others don't know is that the road to Jericho, the city they are all hoping to get help from, is full of hazards and the city is filled with even more crazy people.
This novel is packed with quirky, unconventional, satirical characters and the dialogue is packed with one quip, joke, wisecrack, and diversion after another. The whole plot is one ludicrous, absurd, romp through a post-apocalyptic world full of people who didn't start out on the normal side of sane. This means their coping skills and survival instincts are also lacking. Basically the inmates are running the asylum and all of them are convinced they are reasonable people. Surviving Crazy follows the people stuck at the diner and people in Jericho. The comedy is non-stop, so much so it is almost overwhelming at times, and there are even a few twists thrown into the plot. In the end it actually showcases some veracity about the human condition.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author via Netgalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/1...
December 21, 2020
Surviving Crazy, by Frank Crimi
Satire, farce and humour are the three pillars of social criticism, and all are employed in this tale of the weirdest bunch of independent, cantankerous, people you’ll ever encounter. Each is well aware of the inadequacies of others, but of course blind to their own. The one redeeming feature that all possess is a refusal to accept failure—by blaming others, of course.
Each character arrives at a remote location with a lengthy, wacky back-story, unprepared when the computers that are contained in nearly every object we use, suddenly fail. Their farcical individual responses to the disaster are a telling comment on the contemporary world.
In contrast to the Brothers Grimms’ tale of six men with very different abilities cooperating to achieve success, Frank Crimi’s dozen ill-matched individuals seem unable to work together. However, in a nice twist, instead of forcing them apart, it begins to seem that their pig-headed stubbornness might be an asset in the battle against a mad mayor, an insane police chief, and nature itself.
The story is not about the disaster and the wider implications, it is primarily concerned with how these odd people cope in their search for a refuge; which is exactly what it will be like when the ‘power’ goes off and the bubble of our precarious civilization bursts. None of us will be interested in the “Big Picture”, we’ll be far too busy taking care of ourselves.
An enjoyable read; alarmingly close to the truth; cautionary instead of uplifting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Satire, farce and humour are the three pillars of social criticism, and all are employed in this tale of the weirdest bunch of independent, cantankerous, people you’ll ever encounter. Each is well aware of the inadequacies of others, but of course blind to their own. The one redeeming feature that all possess is a refusal to accept failure—by blaming others, of course.
Each character arrives at a remote location with a lengthy, wacky back-story, unprepared when the computers that are contained in nearly every object we use, suddenly fail. Their farcical individual responses to the disaster are a telling comment on the contemporary world.
In contrast to the Brothers Grimms’ tale of six men with very different abilities cooperating to achieve success, Frank Crimi’s dozen ill-matched individuals seem unable to work together. However, in a nice twist, instead of forcing them apart, it begins to seem that their pig-headed stubbornness might be an asset in the battle against a mad mayor, an insane police chief, and nature itself.
The story is not about the disaster and the wider implications, it is primarily concerned with how these odd people cope in their search for a refuge; which is exactly what it will be like when the ‘power’ goes off and the bubble of our precarious civilization bursts. None of us will be interested in the “Big Picture”, we’ll be far too busy taking care of ourselves.
An enjoyable read; alarmingly close to the truth; cautionary instead of uplifting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2020
The title of “Surviving Crazy” may give a good idea of the main conflict of this novel, but it’s also a good description of the experience of reading the book. When you have baseball teams named the “Raleigh Tar Stains” and the “Arizona Prickly Heat,” that gives a pretty good idea of what you’re in for.
Krimi’s humour cuts a wide satyrical swath through American society: Sports, small-town politics, survivalists, local militias, fast food franchises, near-death experiences, and the list just gets weirder from there.
And then, when you don’t think things can get any stranger, it happens: the cataclysmic event that the survivalists have all predicted. Some kind of super-solar flare interferes with everything electrical on earth. And suddenly a lot of people, including our hero, are thrown on the resources of…each other. Considering the fragmented state of American society today, this has to result in complete disaster or a lot of humour. In this case, both.
The humour in this writing is low key, wacky, and creative. We don’t get many belly laughs, but are hit with a constant barrage of “you think that’s weird; now look at this.” And somehow it keeps on getting wackier, and it keeps us amused.
A fun read with something to say about American life today.
Krimi’s humour cuts a wide satyrical swath through American society: Sports, small-town politics, survivalists, local militias, fast food franchises, near-death experiences, and the list just gets weirder from there.
And then, when you don’t think things can get any stranger, it happens: the cataclysmic event that the survivalists have all predicted. Some kind of super-solar flare interferes with everything electrical on earth. And suddenly a lot of people, including our hero, are thrown on the resources of…each other. Considering the fragmented state of American society today, this has to result in complete disaster or a lot of humour. In this case, both.
The humour in this writing is low key, wacky, and creative. We don’t get many belly laughs, but are hit with a constant barrage of “you think that’s weird; now look at this.” And somehow it keeps on getting wackier, and it keeps us amused.
A fun read with something to say about American life today.
Read
January 7, 2021I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book was technically fine, but it took me awhile to finish it because I just hated all of the characters. There are no heroes in this book, just a bunch of deeply flawed people trying to survive. Poorly. Personally, I would have abandoned them all by the second night and taken my chances in the wilderness. At least the company would have been better. xD
I'd say this book is meant for people that enjoy watching kooky, self-absorbed parodies of the human condition self-destruct all over the place, ensuring everyone around them is as miserable as they are. It's clearly meant as a comedy, bouncing from one ridiculous (yet all too plausible) scenario to another, and should be read as such. But prepare to be horrified by the realization that people like these almost certainly exist in reality, in only slightly less exaggerated versions. You will never be so ready to abandon humanity and become a hermit.
This book is definitely not for anyone looking for sympathetic characters, or a gritty novel about people realistically trying to survive an unexpected crisis.
This book was technically fine, but it took me awhile to finish it because I just hated all of the characters. There are no heroes in this book, just a bunch of deeply flawed people trying to survive. Poorly. Personally, I would have abandoned them all by the second night and taken my chances in the wilderness. At least the company would have been better. xD
I'd say this book is meant for people that enjoy watching kooky, self-absorbed parodies of the human condition self-destruct all over the place, ensuring everyone around them is as miserable as they are. It's clearly meant as a comedy, bouncing from one ridiculous (yet all too plausible) scenario to another, and should be read as such. But prepare to be horrified by the realization that people like these almost certainly exist in reality, in only slightly less exaggerated versions. You will never be so ready to abandon humanity and become a hermit.
This book is definitely not for anyone looking for sympathetic characters, or a gritty novel about people realistically trying to survive an unexpected crisis.
September 27, 2020
Crimi’s highly entertaining follows a group of eccentric travelers as they navigate chaos and dangers in an apocalyptic world.
As a newly appointed scout for Arizona Prickly Heat, the Major League Baseball team, Riley is on his way to his new place of employment when a massive solar eruption leaves the world plummeted into darkness. With situation turning grave, Riley and few others must journey down a road to get to the small town of Jericho. But there is danger lurking in Jericho. Will the group be able to make it out alive?
The tense plot takes many turns through Riley and others characters’ increasingly whacky adventures. This ingenious, humorous novel not only explores humanity’s ability to survive in exceptional circumstances but also probes the tenuous yet unbreakable bonds between strangers in the face of calamity.
Crimi’s witty prose and emphasis on characterization result in a thoroughly engrossing, rib-tickling-funny read that lovers of both SF and literary fiction won’t want to miss.
This is a thorough fun.
As a newly appointed scout for Arizona Prickly Heat, the Major League Baseball team, Riley is on his way to his new place of employment when a massive solar eruption leaves the world plummeted into darkness. With situation turning grave, Riley and few others must journey down a road to get to the small town of Jericho. But there is danger lurking in Jericho. Will the group be able to make it out alive?
The tense plot takes many turns through Riley and others characters’ increasingly whacky adventures. This ingenious, humorous novel not only explores humanity’s ability to survive in exceptional circumstances but also probes the tenuous yet unbreakable bonds between strangers in the face of calamity.
Crimi’s witty prose and emphasis on characterization result in a thoroughly engrossing, rib-tickling-funny read that lovers of both SF and literary fiction won’t want to miss.
This is a thorough fun.
December 31, 2020
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this story. The world is suddenly hit by a solar storm that catastrophically knocks all electricity out. It means no more lights, stoves, cars or computers. It's a scary thought of what could happen, but it also is a wonderful story of a group of people who survive all the chaos together. The characters are so unusual and wacky until the story is funny at times, with them all reacting and reduced to the basics of life. At the center of the story is Riley, who is a new talent scout for a baseball pro team, who finds himself stranded at a little diner in the middle of nowhere. When his car won't start and unsure where to go, Riley tries to figure out what his next steps are, and the scraggly group at the diner all have their own ideas of surviving. It makes for a very different, but captivating story, that I highly recommend.
May 30, 2021
Surviving Crazy is a humorous fiction written about a gigantic solar that plunges into the world creating a lot of chaos. Riley, Louie, and Shephard are an interesting pair of friends who happen to find themselves trapped. The post-apocalyptic story then takes you on a funny interesting endeavour as we read along how they cope with no electricity.
I wasn’t a big fan of the formatting but the content was too funny and enjoyable to read. The pace of the story was steady and possessed more dialogue than description. The literature was geared towards a younger genre and comedy dominated its nature of content.
What did pull everything together was the characters and their personalities. They were witty, young, fun and entertaining.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read comedy fiction.
I wasn’t a big fan of the formatting but the content was too funny and enjoyable to read. The pace of the story was steady and possessed more dialogue than description. The literature was geared towards a younger genre and comedy dominated its nature of content.
What did pull everything together was the characters and their personalities. They were witty, young, fun and entertaining.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read comedy fiction.
January 23, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.
Being in the middle of a pandemic, I was drawn to this story of survival in an apocalypse. The fact that it was a humorous book made it all the more enticing.
I was ready for a comedic read. This book fit the bill. The story contained the most bizarre collection of characters. It reminded me of the colorful characters in a Fredrik Backman book.
So many times I would be reading and could not help laughing out loud. I really enjoyed this ‘feel good’ story about human beings helping one another out in a time of crisis. I would not be at all surprised to see this book made into a movie someday.
Being in the middle of a pandemic, I was drawn to this story of survival in an apocalypse. The fact that it was a humorous book made it all the more enticing.
I was ready for a comedic read. This book fit the bill. The story contained the most bizarre collection of characters. It reminded me of the colorful characters in a Fredrik Backman book.
So many times I would be reading and could not help laughing out loud. I really enjoyed this ‘feel good’ story about human beings helping one another out in a time of crisis. I would not be at all surprised to see this book made into a movie someday.
September 15, 2021
This is one of those books that can go a couple ways, people are going to absolutely think it’s hilarious or the book will get on their nerves. Personally, I sit in the middle of those two scenerios. On one hand, there were times that I laughed out loud at some of the antics and characters. Other times I was wondering what the heck is going on in this author’s mind. Granted, this is the first time I’ve read anything this funny for a dystopian book, and it was a fun relief although small sub plots or stories sort of threw me out of the story a bit, and felt a bit disjointed. The humor style will not be to everyone’s liking.
All in all, this is a fun book, and if you want something to read that is a bit lighter and give you a break from heavier fare, this may be a good choice.
All in all, this is a fun book, and if you want something to read that is a bit lighter and give you a break from heavier fare, this may be a good choice.
December 27, 2020
The title fits. It was a crazy wild and hilarious story. The cast of characters was amazing. Each one more out there than the next. This book kept me engaged and laughing the whole time. It is a great quirky story with action and craziness mixed in. This seems like it could become a cult classic down the road. Absolutely fantastic book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2020
Surviving Crazy will make you laugh out loud - literally. First, I loved the quirky cast of characters involved. The story was fun, and the ending...well you need to read to find out about that! The story pulls you in from page one, and you really don't want to stop reading once you start. If you're looking for a fun break from the crazy of the world, then this is where you want to go!
September 13, 2021
I survived reading this book by not finishing it. I liked the beginning; I was comfortable with Shepard, Riley and Louie (or however you spell the names). But then more characters came in, more absurd situations… I just got bored to keep everyone’s character straight.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.
September 23, 2020
What a wild ride!
A crazy band of misfits are thrust together when the electricity goes out and leaves them to fend for themselves in a remote diner. Characters well written. Fast-paced story. Self published. I would suggest a re-edit for spelling and grammar errors.
A crazy band of misfits are thrust together when the electricity goes out and leaves them to fend for themselves in a remote diner. Characters well written. Fast-paced story. Self published. I would suggest a re-edit for spelling and grammar errors.
October 5, 2020
Crazy is right.
If you like quirky you will love this book. Someone thought of all the weird stuff he could and made it into a book. Well written and funny, but it really is surviving crazy!
If you like quirky you will love this book. Someone thought of all the weird stuff he could and made it into a book. Well written and funny, but it really is surviving crazy!
October 11, 2020
I won a copy of the book on Goodreads giveaways.
Good writing, likable characters, and satire come together to make a story that is entertaining, suspenseful, and funny.
Good writing, likable characters, and satire come together to make a story that is entertaining, suspenseful, and funny.
August 2, 2021
This book has some very funny scenes. The characters are all over the top. This was a fresh take on the world as we know it ending.
October 6, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. An interesting story plot. The writing kind of reminds me of Grady Hendrix. Great read for Halloween Month 🎃.
December 29, 2020
This book made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. The situations these people find themselves just kept getting crazier! This was exactly the comedy I needed at this point in 2020. I highly recommend!
I did receive a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I did receive a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
December 30, 2020
I received a free, electronic ARC of this self-published novel on December 5, 2020, from Netgalley and Frank Crimi.
Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am adding Frank Crimi to the authors I follow. He has the ability to turn a sad, bad week into a hoot. There is nothing sophisticated about his mindset but homegrown humor is what I needed to get past 2020. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Reviewed on December 20, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review on BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am adding Frank Crimi to the authors I follow. He has the ability to turn a sad, bad week into a hoot. There is nothing sophisticated about his mindset but homegrown humor is what I needed to get past 2020. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Reviewed on December 20, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review on BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
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