≡ Download Nothing Serious Library Edition Daniel Klein William Dufris 9781470843984 Books

Nothing Serious Library Edition Daniel Klein William Dufris 9781470843984 Books

Download As PDF : Nothing Serious Library Edition Daniel Klein William Dufris 9781470843984 Books

Nothing Serious Library Edition Daniel Klein William Dufris 9781470843984 Books

Digby Maxwell is a late fortyish drifter on the fringes of the New York publishing and public relations scene, with a completely failed life. He has no job and no prospects, and an ex-wife and daughter who have jettisoned him. He lives in an alcoholic and weed-filled fog and is no longer employable.

Without any obvious qualification, Digby is appointed editor of a college Philosophy magazine. He hasn’t a clue about philosophy, or that the people who appointed him would profit from his inevitable failure. The previous academic rulers of the journal think he’s less than nothing. What he does have, and what saves him, is an infallible sense of The Next Hot Trend, which he can always sense because he has no identity of his own, so he can merge easily into the fantasies of those around him. Including fantasies they didn’t know they were about to have.

So he makes his way through Louden College society, turning the philosophy magazine into a trendy and funny takeoff on popular philosophy, and actually generating a profit. He charms his way through intrigues of academic departments, political correctness, and through (or into) sexual opportunities with agendas. But perhaps unfortunately for him, he develops a sense of integrity and identity, and starts to lose his touch. No spoiler alert here, but this is the basis for the rest of the novel.

This book is determined to be funny, like a standup comedian who needs a laugh every few seconds, but it succeeded in keeping this reader amused, and in carrying on with the plot. The only thing that didn’t ring true was a scene of apology and repentance over incorrect gender-related attitudes. The characters are well-developed, but not too deeply, and this is what a comic novel needs. I would compare this novel favorably with Kingsley Amis’ Lucky Jim, and to David Lodge’s Small World: An Academic Romance.


Tags : Nothing Serious (Library Edition) [Daniel Klein, William Dufris] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>[Library Edition Audiobook CD in vinyl case.]</b> Stoned out of his skull -- this is how we find washed-up New York magazine writer Digby Maxwell when he is offered a last chance to redeem himself by becoming editor of a small philosophy magazine headquartered in a rural Vermont college town. Digby's assignment is to make the magazine relevant to contemporary culture. For starters,Daniel Klein, William Dufris,Nothing Serious (Library Edition),Blackstone Audio, Inc.,1470843986,Literary,Literature & Fiction,AUDIO,FICTION Literary,Fiction,Fiction-Literary,General Adult,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945),Unabridged Audio - FictionGeneral

Nothing Serious Library Edition Daniel Klein William Dufris 9781470843984 Books Reviews

This novel has a few light chuckles but will struggle to find a large audience. It relies on the idea that you're already somewhat disaffected with humanities academia, or at least willing to laugh a false-philosopher for 200 pages. The main character's development is poor, but he actual presentation is quirky. This is a farce; none of the characters are sympathetic. You could do worse than read this book, but it's not a life-changing experience. For intellectually satisfying humor, I'd try someone like David Sedaris or Sarah Vowell. -Ryan Mease
A funny, intelligent, warm book about philosophy, publishing and academics! Who knew it was possible? Digby Maxwell, a washed -up pop purveyor of "the next big thing" for The Village Voice and New York Magazine finds himself a gig as the new editor of a second-rate philosophy journal at a third-tier (at best) liberal arts collage in Vermont. Everything is not, of course as it seems. As Digby negotiates his new environment, he simultaneously must deal with campus politics, personal relationships, and an estranged daughter. This novel is well-written and entertaining, although it runs out of steam and the ending is not as satisfying as the rest of the book. Nevertheless, I recommend it.
What happens to the predictor of trends when predictions become out of date before the papers go to press? What happens to immortality when time moves too fast? And what happens when a modern upstart takes over a stodgy university journal of philosophy?

Digby ponders whether finding a job with an Independent Philosophy Magazine might be the perfect solution to his financial woes, though "What exactly would a dependent philosophy magazine consist of?" he muses. Still, it's a job, and Digby needs a job. It even holds out the possibility of redeeming his career, reviving his immortal fame, and giving him a place to live while he, perhaps, redefines who is living his life.

Of course, the place Dibgy moves to abounds with rumors and questions. Why did he get the job instead of someone more qualified? What curious revelation did the magazine's owner have just before he died? And who's trying to get their hands on Hastings Towers? Not to mention, why?

Well-drawn, nicely analytical backstory threads into the narrative while the reader stays firmly entrenched in Digby's head--at least as much Digby himself stays in his head. Fascinating snippets of philosophy pop up, mixed with pop culture references and vivid satire, all blended like an ideal "toke" and smoked to perfection. While Nietzsche may declare "There are no facts, only interpretations," Digby's interpretations draw closer to fact as the story progesses, and the mystery to resolution, though, of course, as time moves on the answers might not matter as much as they seemed. Meanwhile there's a magazine to put out, and dead owners might seek immortality in its pages.

Events move forward to a delicious denouement, immortality retreats in face of identity, and Digby, just maybe, finally works out who he and everyone else is. Or maybe not. The perfect epilogue ties it all together, but please resist the urge to read it first.

Disclosure I received a free bound galley of this novel from the publisher, the Permanent Press, in exchange for my honest review.
It is an enjoyable read, but like it's title it's 'nothing serious'. it is a poor follow up to Epicurus.

It's clever and entertaining.
This story had a great start, flat middle and no ending. The protagonist was OK, no one else was developed md there was no compelling interest short of the low key passion of Digby and Mary.
Digby Maxwell is a late fortyish drifter on the fringes of the New York publishing and public relations scene, with a completely failed life. He has no job and no prospects, and an ex-wife and daughter who have jettisoned him. He lives in an alcoholic and weed-filled fog and is no longer employable.

Without any obvious qualification, Digby is appointed editor of a college Philosophy magazine. He hasn’t a clue about philosophy, or that the people who appointed him would profit from his inevitable failure. The previous academic rulers of the journal think he’s less than nothing. What he does have, and what saves him, is an infallible sense of The Next Hot Trend, which he can always sense because he has no identity of his own, so he can merge easily into the fantasies of those around him. Including fantasies they didn’t know they were about to have.

So he makes his way through Louden College society, turning the philosophy magazine into a trendy and funny takeoff on popular philosophy, and actually generating a profit. He charms his way through intrigues of academic departments, political correctness, and through (or into) sexual opportunities with agendas. But perhaps unfortunately for him, he develops a sense of integrity and identity, and starts to lose his touch. No spoiler alert here, but this is the basis for the rest of the novel.

This book is determined to be funny, like a standup comedian who needs a laugh every few seconds, but it succeeded in keeping this reader amused, and in carrying on with the plot. The only thing that didn’t ring true was a scene of apology and repentance over incorrect gender-related attitudes. The characters are well-developed, but not too deeply, and this is what a comic novel needs. I would compare this novel favorably with Kingsley Amis’ Lucky Jim, and to David Lodge’s Small World An Academic Romance.