The Fun Master: A Memoir

by Jeff Seitzer

A self-involved academic struggling to cope with his own neurological problems, Jeff could hardly take care of himself, let alone a child with special needs, when his son, Ethan, was born. But despite multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, serious breathing and swallowing problems, hearing loss, and a challenging social environment in his first months of life, Ethan thrived—all the while teaching Jeff to take things as they came. And eight years later, the arrival from China of adopted baby sister Penelope took Jeff's on-the-job training to a whole new level.

Ethan's instinct for fun proved the perfect complement to Jeff's determination to live life fully. He died too young, but not before he, Penelope, and their mother, Janet, taught Jeff that the true path to happiness was putting other people's needs before his own—and living in the moment rather than trying to control it.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no rating system that could do this remarkable work of courage, love and generosity justice, but, ok, 5 stars. The real achievement of this book is that the author (whom I know) does not dwell on that horrible day at the Union Pier beach in southwest Michigan when Ethan the Fun Master succumbed to the overwhelming, pitiless and terrible Lake Michigan surf. Instead, Jeff focuses on the boundless love, intelligence, creativity, and resilience of this little boy who had already notched so many Herculean victories over adversity before that day when he joyfully and fatefully pursued adventure in those waters. The story of that day can (and should) be learned from the beautiful and moving (and, of course, instructive) documentary produced by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue, available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzI2H... There you will also meet (in addition to the brave, selfless and knowledgeable souls who did everything humanly possible to rescue that day from total devastation) Jeff and his wife, Janet, and also get to witness Ethan and his beloved sister, Penelope (participating in this documentary--just one more act of overwhelming generosity by Jeff and his family). Those family videos and Jeff's and Janet's reflections echo the testaments to this devoted and nurturing family given voice in Jeff's book. It is hard to fathom how families survive such tragic events, but we come away from this book with a better understanding of how this family has, and continues, to do so: through a boundless and true commitment to one another and to self-exploration as well as an openness to the wonder and deeper understanding that might be found in even the darkest turns of fate. Thank you, Jeff, for sharing this story with us.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like memoirs that are written beautifully and manage to quickly tug at your heartstrings, then you won’t want to overlook The Fun Master: A Memoir.

While it’s not unusual to read a memoir about a child who has special needs, this book offers one more layer: a father who suffers from his own health concerns.

As an author, many of us might choose to paint ourselves in a little better light, however, Seitzer appears to gloss nothing over. He readily admits his shortcomings, which takes us on a journey that at times feels too much to travel. Yet, we also glimpse a powerful, sweet story of life.

It’s a trip that everyone will glean something from.

My Concerns
None

Final Thoughts
Memoirs such as this aren’t for everyone. Yet, by passing over them you will be missing a story of growth, determination, love, challenges, growth, pain, inspiration, and growth. Yes, I mentioned growth several times. I’m a strong believer that we all grow when we read books showing others’ determination and strength.

I highly recommend this memoir. It’s a father/son story that will touch you in a way that you won’t soon forget. There is much to be learned from this book if we just allow ourselves to be students.

My thanks to Books Forward Friends and the Publisher for a copy of this book and the ability to freely post my thoughts.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fun Master
A Memoir
by Jeff Seitzer
Pub Date 16 Aug 2022
SparkPress
Biographies & Memoirs




I am reviewing a copy of The Fun Master through Spark Press and Netgalley:


Jeff Seitzer was a self involved academic struggling to cope with his own neurological problems. He could barely take care of himself , let alone a child with special needs, when his son, Ethan, was born. But despite multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, serious breathing and swallowing problems, hearing loss, and a challenging social environment in his first months of life, Ethan thrived all the while teaching Jeff to take things as they came. And eight years later, the arrival from China of adopted baby sister Penelope took Jeff's on-the-job training to a whole new level.






Jeff's determination to live life fully and Ethan's instinct for fun proved the perfect complement to Jeff's determination to live life fully. Ethan died to young, but not before he, Penelope, and their mother, Janet, taught Jeff that the true path to happiness was putting other people's needs before his own—and living in the moment rather than trying to control it.




I give The Fun Master five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Deeksha (Ruminative Bibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

💫"𝙄𝙛 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙙’𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣, 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮."💫

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯.
Jeff's life takes a turn when Ethan is born. With all the surgeries and problems, Ethan asked for more than what Jeff could offer. Dealing with his problems and taking care of Ethan alongside, Jeff realizes that there's more to life when you live in the moment and try not to control it.

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.
The Fun Master: A Memoir is a story about a father who finds himself taking care of a child with medical conditions while dealing with his own. It's a story of love and loss, ups and downs, pain and inspiration, and about what it means to have fun😇

First and foremost, this book was heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Throughout the book, I could feel all the sadness and happiness (I even cried at the end). This is a wonderful story of a father who finds acceptance and a son who showed him the meaning of life.

I was so connected to the chirpiness of Ethan that once he was gone, I could feel his absence in the story. His optimism and enthusiasm were so inspiring. Knowing what he has been through and he still finds reasons to enjoy life was very beautiful🥺

But, I would say, it is a bit mundane and all those technical medical terms really disrupt the reading. Plus, some of the events were very stretched out making me skim through them.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Overall, it is a beautiful book of love and loss, pain and happiness, showing us the way to live a fulfilling life is to have fun and be optimistic despite your circumstances. It is a book about growth and acceptance, profound bonding between a father and a son, and a lifetime of having fun.

Thanks to Jeff Seitzer, NetGalley and SparkPress for providing the e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deeply moving, poignant, beautifully written and unexpectedly funny memoir by a father who found himself thrust into the role of primary caregiver for his newborn son, Ethan. You will laugh as well as cry as you read about the misadventures of the father as he learns to take care of an infant with special medical needs. Despite the challenges, father and son find a way to experience joy and laughter as they go about their lives. As Ethan grows, so does his father. This book will appeal to anyone who has struggled to adjust to being a new parent; parents of children who are born with special needs; and anyone who has experienced intense grief. Highly recommended.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a family and tragedy, hope, and love. And all the wrinkles, bumps, and hugs that happen in between. As a parent with school age children, I could strongly connect with the everyday moments that made this book very special. Knowing that this story occurred approx a decade ago, even though the book is coming out this summer, I would have loved an epilogue about where the family is today.

[Richard Co · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent, I cannot imagine the anguish and devastation of losing a child in a tragic accident, especially one who overcame so much adversity in life. Yet, emerged from the depth of despair, a beautiful tribute to the fine young gentleman is spawn, through which he shall live forever. If it is not a great celebration of the (fragile) human spirit, I do not know what would be one.

[Brenda Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff learns life lessons from his special needs son. These needs included breathing and swallowing problems, hearing loss, many hospitalizations and multiple surgeries. Through it all, Ethan keeps his sense of happiness and fun. Not only does he keep it, but he gives it away to everyone he loves-and he loves everyone!
The story made me laugh. There are many humorous father and son moments that are so real and heartfelt. This story also made me cry. As the grandma of a three-month-old who had surgery at five weeks I felt an instant connection to this family. While the mother was almost a background character in this memoir, I felt her strength and love was the backbone that kept the family going!
The ending was unexpected and tragic and a real tearjerker. I don’t give many books a five star rating but this one was well worth it!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true story as the title says of love and loss. It is an amazing story of Ethan and his dad. So much love between these pages. I could not put it down.