Anxious Angst in an Anxious, Angsty World, with a side helping of Dread

Not to be a smart guy, but I usually don't especially care for current mid life crisis books about privileged middle aged white men with ex-wife, job, money, sex, and health problems, mostly because they almost always skew to the obvious, tedious, and whiny. That said, I got a kick out of this book. This is old school, (Roth, Bellow), with a modern sensibility. Our hero, Meyer, is smarter and more self aware than usual, he isn't too whiny, his friends, (who spend a lot of time on the page), are all smarter and funnier than he is, all of the women in his life are smarter and funnier than he is, and his anxiety and angst actually seem appropriate to our current situation. On top of that, the narrative feels unforced and honest. Our hero thinks about a lot more than just himself, and his thoughts are often bracing, probing, perceptive and, for want of a better word, decent.

This is one of those books that has a clear enough linear story arc, but that still leaves lots of room for sidetracks, unexpected stops, diversions, and unexpected but well crafted bits of business. Our hero isn't dreary, he doesn't try to explain or justify the less palatable decisions he's made, and he isn't completely engulfed in self pity. As a consequence we're willing to go along with him when he cuts himself the occasional unearned break. Of more importance, since we feel a certain level of sympathy, or kinship, it's O.K. to enjoy the funny, sweet, or charming moments.

The upshot of all that, for me, was that I was willing to be a sympathetic and willing companion on this trip. My reward was some honest laughs, some rueful insights, and a sense that I had just read a good story well told. AS A BONUS, our hero's best friend, confidant, and ad hoc counselor is an Iranian psychologist with a penchant for wisecracks and ethnic insults. He is also kind and compassionate. Every now and then, usually over a beer in Venice Beach, the author gives him a set piece monologue. His speech to Meyer about what real suffering and anxiety is like is worth the entire book, and should be assigned reading everywhere.

So, a good find, and much better, rewarding, admirable, and thought provoking than just another middle age angst genre piece.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Got to admit, I have a thing for a fictional bad boy, but with certain caveats. A bad boy who does the outrageous things that a hero or a nice guy can't get away with is great, but they have to have a certain charm. I thought Meyer illustrated this really well. Yes, he is self obsessed and in the grip of a rather narcissistic mid life crisis, but I couldn't help but be charmed by his worldview developing throughout the novel. Meyer is suffering from a kind of existential dread brought on mainly by the realisation that he will probably never be a great jazz musician, his 40th birthday, family issues and worries that he's made all the wrong decisions, particularly about separating from his first wife, the mother of his son Innocent. Throughout this he is aided by his friend who is also a psychologist, Farzad.

This is black comedy but not completely black, Meyer is surrounded by a great cast of family and friends who end in some rather funny situations for him. I loved how his relationship with Farzad was depicted, they are utterly horrible to each other, trading racist insults but it's so natural. Meyer's father is also a great character. Yes, some tragic things happen, but at the same time the parts with the family are warmly depicted. Although Meyer is a bit of a misogynist, this is pointed out by the women in the novel, who give as good as they get. I particularly liked the meta reference that one of the female characters is doing a thesis on late 20th century male novelists and is quite dismissive of the worldview of some of them!

I found this a very entertaining, accomplished novel. It's philosophical, but this is handled with a light enough touch that it doesn't become too preachy.

If you like witty, dry humor mixed with the-world-is-falling-apart-around-me dread and some serious sadness then this is the book for you. What else could possibly go wrong for Joshua Mayer? Just wait and find out! The author throws together such intellectual and existential paragraphs that I finish and have to reread it because it all went right over my head. So this is a challenging read but well worth it. The characters are lovable and real. While reading I could imagine them all where they live in LA. Also a very quick read. Everything flows together.

It's just like the cover says "a dark comedy of random misfortune."
I loved reading about Meyer's musings, daily struggles and his family and his search for the perfect moment. The musical terms and references were alien to me, but it did not stop this from being a good read.

It's an interesting take on an average guy. Kind of funny. Kind of weird. I'm not sure what to make of it honestly.

I'm not musical, and I don't understand all the musical terms used in this book, but it doesn't matter. This a story about life, and values, and what matters, told around one man's love of music and finding that one perfect moment. I love Meyer's attitude, his friends and his family. Because they are, in part, based on people in author Steven Sidley's life, the characters are all very real, if a little 'over the top'. I particularly enjoyed Meyer's interactions with his psychologist friend, Farzad, whose perspective is always enlightening, if unhelpful, and not what Meyer wants to hear.

Filled with humour and poignant moments, this book is relatable to anybody whoever asked 'Why me?' And to everybody else too.

My thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Imperfect Solo, is a fascinating fictional look into the life of a musician who is past his prime and has now reached the inevitable point of soul-searching.

Imperfect Solo, is a fascinating fictional look into the life of a musician who is past his prime and has now reached the inevitable point of soul searching. The protagonist, Meyer, has been through two families, numerous bands and has now reluctantly landed as a software programmer. This aptly named Imperfect Solo is Steven Boykey Sidley’s fourth novel.

Meyer is filled with dread. He knows he has to make a change, but he just can’t identify the real issue. He makes good money, but hates his boss. He has been divorced twice, but loves one of his ex-wives. He is past his prime as a musician, but still strives to play the perfect solo. On top of all this, his kids who are the only things he has done right are struggling. What can he do to get past this dread?

I love this book. Steven Sidley moves from what appears to be a humorous monologue at the beginning into a moving treatise on what to do when you are lost in the trials of growing older. Meyer is a protagonist who evolves from a shallow male into a much deeper human being than one expects. The ending is deeply satisfying.

I really enjoy the humour especially the repartee between Meyer and his friends. One can say that many of the jokes are male centric, but I believe the women in Meyers life provide enough of a counter balance to attract female readership.

I rate the book 5 on 5 because the story is excellent and I actually still belly laugh when I think about certain parts. I want to thank NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

An anti-hero equivalent to Martin Amis and Joseph Heller's characters; this is a story that doesn't sweeten the ugly sides of life, an authentic product of 21st century. Sidley fuses profound emotional situations with light-hearted ones, solemn tone with humourous moments; "Imperfect solo" is a perfect "imperfect" dive into the psyche of a hero that doesn't have everything figured out, life is after all "but a jazz solo".

This modern-day Job story was a delight to read! Our main character goes through something of a mid-life crisis, and in doing that explores what is and what isn't important in life. The story flows easily and I was compelled to finish it quickly.

I love the language that Sidley uses to paint emotional word pictures. I love that various philosophies about life were illuminated as the characters trudge through life changing events. The conclusion seemed appropriate, but I might have chosen ending.

I would recommend this book to anybody who has experienced suffering in the form of grief and dread. That's probably all of us who have advanced to midlife or beyond.