one weekend. one book.

Home Land by Sam Lipsyte
Very much reminded me of Chuck Palahniuk's writing, specifically Invisible Monsters. Main characters from both books were very set on the non-pursuit of what "normal society" views as indicators of success. The main character/narrator (Lewis, or "Teabag") is writing updates to his alumni newsletter, filling his fellow students in on why he failed to thrive in life, in the interest of pure honesty, as his former fellow students lead successful lives as rock stars, athletes, etc.
It was a little difficult for me to follow all of the characters. It seemed like there was a 'shout out' to every member of this graduating class, and a few others. And they all seemed to speak with the same voice, so it was difficult to keep them all straight.
The book builds up to a climax that wasn't very climactic (although maybe that's a lesson and not a writing style), then has nowhere to go and just drops off (not entirely unexpected).
The author puts a lyrical and humorous spin on the failures of life. You never root for the under-dog, or even relate to him, really, but revel in his success as a failure.
So, this review kinda whomps, but then my writing generally whomps. But the book was enjoyable, so check it out.

"I'm like most of the men in my family, I thought now, or think I thought then, mopping up egg yolk with toast crust, which I've read is a sign of bad breeding. We'll chance anything to destroy ourselves, but we're chickenshits when it comes to happiness."

"Maybe I was my mother's son, living in the fog of tomorrows, shutting my eyes for the retinal burn of snapshots never snapped. Why couldn't Gwendolyn just settle for me? Don't we all settle, Valley Cats? Haven't you all settled, weighed the trade-offs, shaved down your desires for what was there, what worked, what wasn't actively bent on your destruction? Resigned yourselves to the ear hair, the nipple hair, the watery farts, the fat behind the knees? The shoes in the doorway, the dishes in the sink? Isn't that what love is all about? Don't the experts tell us so? Don't the people on the street concur? Don't we all settle, barter our fevers for a partner, a mutual fondler, a talking animal companion? Catamounts, why couldn't she settle for me?"