My American Unhappiness

Oh, what can I say about Zeke Pappas? Readers may react in many different ways to the protagonist of Dean Bakopoulos’ new novel My American Unhappiness, but I’m fairly certain most will end up shaking their heads, either out of disbelief, frustration, or amusement. Or, if they’re like me, a fair mix of all three.

As far as life stories go, Zeke has a unique one that’s filled with family tragedy, withered personal relationships, and a unique career choice, though all supported by a passionate perspective on everything he sees around him. Ironically enough, there is so, so very much that he simply does not see, and that is what could make or break this book for readers. Personally, I found it to be an overall enjoyable experience to read along with Zeke’s narrative while simultaneously yelling in my head at him in an attempt to make him aware of the fact that his life is being ripped apart all around him, often as a direct result of the bizarre choices he has made.

Am I intentionally being so vague, you might be asking yourself. Yes, yes I am, because this story unfolds in particular ways, and I fear that if I give away too much, or really much of anything about the content of the story, it will be muted somehow for readers. Suffice it to say that Zeke Pappas is in his early thirties, romantically unattached (though his wishes to partner up intensify quite quickly in the story), working on a project called An Inventory of American Unhappiness that he believes will change the world, and perhaps the oddest character I’ve read in a long time. Oh, and if this is worth anything to you, I think I detected a Holden Caulfield-esque quality about him– maybe a slightly older, more experienced Caulfield, still prone to rants about the world around him.

I’ll share just a taste of Zeke’s voice here, and truth be told, if I could quote half the book, I would, because his takes on social and political climates are brilliantly written, whether one agrees with his perspective or not.

The thinking, the rationale, the philosophy, behind my project is this: Americans are fundamentally unhappy, and they are fundamentally unhappy because they suffer from institutional addiction. If you consider the comfort (for most), the wealth (relative), and opportunities (many) with which Americans have matured, it is mind-boggling to consider that anybody here could be unhappy. But everywhere I go, I can see it, such unhappiness, such an overwhelming need to be drugged and distracted, lest a moment of silent, melancholy self-reflection pierce our fragile hearts!”

Now, the most delicious irony here is that Zeke may be the most deluded and unaware person in the entire novel, unable to react and respond in appropriate manners to the trivial– and quite absurd– things that occur in his life. But that quote is a good representation of his earnest voice that entertained me from page one.

I’m not sure of the last time a book made me snort out loud, but My American Unhappiness is one I will undoubtedly remember.

Dawn loves anything- books, movies, TV- that’s just slightly askew. She can be found blogging away at my thoughts exactly.