Undaunted Optimist: Essays on Life, Laughter and Cheerful Perseverance

by Chris Rodell

"Rodell writes about America the way Sinatra sings about New York, unflinching about the gritty realities, but with abiding affection and relentless positivity about the future." —Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge Ever wonder how old you’ll be in heaven? Why couples always sleep on the same side of the bed? How to respond when a stranger mistakes you for an old friend? What happens when you get tick bit in a "sensitive" place? Or how you will feel when your daughter tells you she doesn't want to dress up for Halloween anymore? And, gee, if marriage is so great then how come there’s no Mrs. God? Chris Rodell wonders about stuff like that all the time. He wonders about holidays, occupations, traffic, marriage and if refrigerating your deodorant adds zing to your morning. Yes, it’s a wonder-full life. It’s a complicated world out there and it takes a nimble mind to sort it all out. Rodell does it with style, warmth, an engaging euphoria and undaunted optimism that lets every reader know he enjoys being human and enjoys human beings.

183 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2020

About the author

Chris Rodell is the author of "Evan & Elle in Heaven & Hell: A Long Distance Social Media Afterlife Love Story." His other books include, "Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories Of The King,” the quirky book about his oddball friendship with one of the planet’s most popular and beloved men; In addition, he's written “Use All The Crayons! The Colorful Guide To Simple Human Happiness,” and “The Last Baby Boomer: The Story of the Ultimate Ghoul Pool,” a novel that was bestowed the 2017 TINARA Award for Outstanding Satire. In Rodell’s career as a freelance writer, he has wrestled alligators, raced Ferraris, gone skydiving, lain on beds of nails, and gained twenty pounds in one week eating like Elvis. He blogs at www.EightDaysToAmish.com. He has written for many of the most prestigious magazines in America and been rejected by the rest. He lives in Latrobe, Pa., with his wife Valerie, their daughters, Josie and Lucy, and a small loud dog named Snickers. He will write for anyone who’ll pay him. He is a PROSEtitute.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the madness of 2020, we could all benefit from some undaunted optimism. We’re in the midst of a pandemic, facing unprecedented political polarization, have wildfires around the globe as a result of climate change and racial tensions are on the rise. We all need to take a page out of Chris’ book and find something in it to laugh about. He believes in the comeback. It’s heartening to know someone does.

This is the first book I’ve read that talks about life amidst COVID-19. Chris is willing to risk it all for a Cadbury egg. I don’t have the same love for the egg, but can totally relate to that conflict between being super safe and having my stuff.

Chris has the ability to poke fun at any situation, but his essays are often also very sentimental. Sentimental Recollections of Home actually made me a little teary-eyed. Our homes are filled with a million irreplaceable memories, and even the stink bugs can hold a place in our hearts. And Chris loves his bros—even if it’s not cool to say so. And even though Chris’ wife, Val, and his two girls, Josie and Lucy, are often part of the joke, the love shines through. These essays are little slices of life and they’re funny as hell, but are also filled with heart.

So if you need something to lift you up while quarantining, this is it.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of essays with an optimistic look at life from the man who brought the world, "Use All the Crayons."

Some of them are humorous; some are poignant, and some are irreverent, but all have the author's knack for enjoying life in all its many colors.

The section on food and wine especially the "Rebuild Napa/Guzzle Wine" was especially fun reading because the author's take on wine echoes mine. Quoting from the essay:
"As he poured till half of the bottle was gone, he told us about the clever nuances within each sip, the oaky textures, the piquant aftertaste.
'What you're about to savor is the result of years of patient wine-making genius...Enjoy!'
"I sipped..
"Yup, it is wine all right!"
(Yeah, I feel the same way about wine, but single malt whisky...well, that's different, but I digress.)

Throughout there are other gems to consider, gems to laugh at or with, and everything in between, some of which most of us haven't even thought.

The book itself is not very long, and it could be read in a sitting or two, but this reader preferred to savor them....kinda like wine!

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a collection of Mr. Rodell's blogs written over several years and loosely grouped according to themes. As with any collection of this sort some blogs were good, others not-so-much. Over all I didn't really enjoy this book. The author spent too much time complaining about how little he made. It detracted from his assertions that he was the richest man alive in terms of life experiences. He also spent a lot of time talking about his religious faith (thankfully not about his beliefs) while at the same time describing things he had done that seemed less than noble. (He wrote for the National Enquirer accosting people who were in difficult situations.) The worst was his description of his senile mother's near death from chocking at the communion rail on Easter Sunday. He pretty much came out and said that he was sick of looking after her and wished that she had died then. He clothed it in a claim that it was the best way a Christian could go. It may be honest but it was told in such a flippant way that it was pretty nasty. I will not be looking to read his blog any time soon.

[Walleye23 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Torturous