Author: Daniel Shortell
Publisher: Self Published
Publish Date: May 2, 2011
Source: Received a copy from the PR company (this did not affect my review)
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You like books that will make you think long after you finish the book.
- You like exotic locales.
From Goodreads.com: "Jack Addington is stuck. A carefree life wandering the globe has morphed into a monotonous existence working for an oppressive Manhattan-based software company peddling products which destroy the lives of decent people. Jack struggles through soul-sucking affairs with despotic executives and eccentric scientists by mentally projecting himself out of the present and into past adventures. Avoidance, however, is temporary, and it does not take long for his overly medicated mind to lose perspective, causing him to act increasingly irrational in a brutally rational world. Jack attempts to reconnect to reality through the guidance of a colorful group of 'advisers', but, a bleak situation continues to spin out of control despite his best efforts. Ultimately for Jack, a slice of contentment is found only when luck stands amid the rubble of his failed attempts at perseverance. Sharply satirical, funny and painfully honest, Where's Unimportant is a snapshot of one man's failed attempt at the American Dream."
My Two Cents:
Jack Addington isn't really happy with the direction that his life is going on. He used to go on all sorts of grand adventures to far off places like Egypt, China, and India. Now he's stuck in a job that he feels is sucking the life out of him and he doesn't really know what to do. He works for a computer company where his fellow employees only seem to exist to annoy Jack. It's a downward spiral in the first degree. It can only end badly (and it does end oh so badly for Jack).
The book flashes back and forth between Jack's old adventurous life and his current drudgery. We gain insight into the decisions and actions that forced him to where he is now. It was sometimes hard to follow where in Jack's life the story was; however, Shortell's writing sucks you back in.
This book definitely made me a little introspective myself. Where we are now in our lives is the summation of the choices that we've made previously. It's hard to pinpoint where our lives went right or wrong a lot of times. Jack seems to realize that but he doesn't think he can change directions.
Bottom line: This is a story that will probably make you think even after you get to the end of the book.
I've not heard of this book, but it sounds like a book I'd enjoy. I like books that move easily between two different times of phases in someone's life, and I like seeing how someone got to be where s/he is. Thanks for bringing Where's Unimportant to my attention!
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