Free Marcus Katz: A Curated Collection of Yelp Reviews - A Novel

by Howard Marc Chesley

Woven into his funny, oversharing Yelp reviews of restaurants, stores and services, 22-year-old Aspie Marcus Katz chronicles in biting detail how, after the death of his doting mother, a bullying court-appointed conservator tries to drain his inheritance and warehouse him in a run-down, dead-end group home. Marcus runs away to Oregon, on a risky, ill-advised road trip to meet up with fellow Aspie, Durinda, a devoted fan of his now viral Yelp reviews. She lives with others also on the autism spectrum at a collective farm in rural Oregon. It is here that Marcus plans to make a stand and finally take control of his life.

Genres: Fiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2022

About the author

Howard Marc Chesley is an author and a graduate of the Johns Hopkins writing seminars. He has worked as a writer of film and television and his first novel, “Some Books Aren’t for Reading,” was nominated for a 2019 Booker prize.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While promoted as a bunch of Yelp reviews, those just provide a framework for short chapters following Marcus Katz as he relates to the world around him and deals with the fall out from his mother's passing. Really the book could skip the reviews completely, though they do provide a bit of humor at times. And perhaps that is the point because there are some very serious issues hidden within those "reviews." Marcus is given a court appointed conservator who tries to defraud him and shuffle him off to a care home he doesn't need. While I would like to assume that this is a rarity, I've seen enough of how our system treats vulnerable people. It is very obvious to the reader that Marcus does reasonably well on his own. Sure he can use some guidance, but not to the level of needing a conservator, but the system likes absolutes. Marcus is not an absolute. But this book was an absolute joy to read with Marcus running off, his view on the world around him, and the interesting characters he meets along the way. Even with the darker topics, the book remained positive and inspiring.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book. The character, story and adventure are all charming. It manages to convey the seriousness of issues facing non-neurotypical people and people with disabilities when the system fails to include them, but with humor and dignity. It does this with such a gentle touch through Marcus’ telling, in extraordinary detail, what is going on inside his head.

Spoiler ahead:

The biggest caveat I have (thus 4 instead of 5 stars) is wondering how the author could possibly think that Marcus' mother would not have clarified in her will and trust that he should remain his own person, not have a conservator, and name a few people who could serve as advisors. She knew she was dying. I refuse to believe she wouldn't have told his sister to leave him alone or allowed the possibility of the state to intervene the way it does in the story.

[Krista Muscarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow Yelp Elite as well as someone who works with youth on the autism spectrum, I found this book to be simply marvelous. A quick yet happy read with several important messages and lessons. I turned each page eager to follow Marcus’ heartwarming story and, at times, Marcus had me truly laughing out loud! My only critique is that I wish it were longer! Here’s to hoping Marcus continues writing his detailed Yelp reviews and we are soon able to have a sequel!!!

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neurodiverse hero in a flowing 'internet review' narrative, highlighting conservatorship issues.

Marcus weaves his way into the reader's heart from the start, as he weaves his story into his Yelp reviews. Now I'm a review writer myself, and would never consider adding my life story to reviews I write, but that's part of the charm of this. Marcus lives with Asperger's, so we see not only how he sees the world, but how the world tries to see him.

Marcus writes his Yelp reviews aiming for Elite status, as he also tells his Yelp audience (and us) about his life, working in a library and at an aviation museum, living in his own section of his parents' house, his quiet but fulfilling enough life with dog Sadie.

When life changes and Marcus is left money but makes a few poor decisions, his sister attempts to arrange herself into a conservator role, and to force Marcus into a care home, he ends up running away - from everything he knows, from his medication, his routines, but into who knows what.

The format worked so well, it meant we got the insight into Marcus's head we might not otherwise get, and still got to see how the world reacts to an individual with Asperger's.

This was incredibly agreeable. Warm moments, funny ones, some frustrating thoughts about the legal system. The plot reminded me of the recent Rosamude Pike film 'I Care a Lot' that covered the same topic from the point of view of a professional legal guardian. Marcus shows the flip side of the relationship and position, and his helplessness against a system he can't hope to understand (or can he?).

Plot-wise, the story does take turns you might expect, but it was a pure joy to follow along with Marcus, and I very much enjoyed the journey with him and Sadie.

I do hope this becomes a film, it would provide a lot of rather quirky roles and bring to public discussion an important topic.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Mary Ahlgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Free Marcus Katz' by Howard Marc Chesley is not my normal type of read but the intriguing format caught my eye - oh I am so glad I took a chance! This book is equal parts adorable, hilarious and poignant, cleverly written exclusively as Yelp reviews by the eponymous Marcus Katz (but unfortunately fictional!).

We meet Marcus as he begins his journey as a Yelper, seeking elite Yelp status as he writes long (and oversharing) reviews. Through the reviews, we get to know about the inner-workings of Marcus' life and learn about him being on the autistic spectrum. Due to this, after his mother dies, Marcus is put under the care of an exploitative conservatorship. Not only are the reviews and Marcus' experiences complete heartwarming, but Chesley shines a light on this legal practice which is horrific to read about.

Overall, this is a cleverly structured book. You would have to be cold of heart to not fall for Marcus and care deeply about his health and happiness - I certainly did! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dan Steinbrocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard Chesley does a terrific job of creating a fictional first person narrative of an intelligent, independent young man who is on the high-functioning autism spectrum. Online Yelp reviews serve as the vehicle for Marcus’ voice. His personal goal is to write enough reviews to gain prestigious Elite Status on the website. He weaves a series of astute insights about his life and that of other people he meets into each of his online critiques. He works in a local library – it’s quiet. He also makes use of his encyclopedic knowledge of older airplanes as an aviation museum docent . Living over the garage of his mother’s Santa Monica home with his dog Sadie, life is good for Marcus – until a tragic event takes place.

When the dust settles, he finds he has inherited a large sum from his late mother’s estate. His jealous sister seeks a solution to claim the loot for herself. She arranges for a court appointed conservator who is only interested in dumping in a care home. Marcus does not need that and is on the run, without his meds. Soon the conservator, a lawyer, and a private detective are trying to find Marcus’ trail. Marcus proves to be an adept and cagey fugitive with a glorious abundance of thrills of the chase through various states. He even finds love at an Oregon commune for young people on the spectrum. This book is an easy five stars.

[Aprel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and learned about conservatorships which I had no idea were a thing. The middle was a little slow, and I had to push myself through. But, I’m happy I finished it. The format of yelp reviews is quite novel, and was what encouraged me to pick it up. It told Marcus’ story very well. The ending felt a bit rushed when discussing his legal issues, but I understand that going into everything probably wasn’t necessary. Great book for those that want to hear about people with autism from a fictional autistic person.

[Katherine Coble]

I tried. It was due back at the library. So I returned it and I’ll try it again when I’m in a better mood.

I hate the term “Aspie” and the way people use it to mean “better than other autistics.”

I decided to set this aside when I saw him refer to himself as “Aspie”. Like I said, I’ll check back later.

[Suzy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a young man on the spectrum fighting to live independently. Fiction, but revealing about the business of conservatorship.

[Courtney Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t stop crying. This book is a blessing to read. Told in the form of yelp reviews, a story about a young autistic man who is trying to live his life. So good. So so good.

[Nancy Nigrosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel idea, well done though a sometimes demanding read to keep all the ‘reviews’ narrative straight.