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6th out of 35 books
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Rocket Man
by
William Elliott Hazelgrove (Goodreads Author)
COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH...
Dale Hammer is trying to find his part of the American Dream. But he just can't keep up. In a story of hilarious consequences, we find Dale in one week accussed of cutting down the sign to his subivision, plagued with a father who has come to live over his garage, and on the hook for being the Rocket Man of his son's Scout Troop. While the price of th...more
Dale Hammer is trying to find his part of the American Dream. But he just can't keep up. In a story of hilarious consequences, we find Dale in one week accussed of cutting down the sign to his subivision, plagued with a father who has come to live over his garage, and on the hook for being the Rocket Man of his son's Scout Troop. While the price of th...more
Paperback/Kindle, 380 pages
Published
December 1st 2008
by Pantonne Press Inc.
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I really wanted to like this book. I won it here on Goodreads through the first-reads giveaway, and I was hoping to be able to sing its praises.
Unfortunately, I have two pet peeves in this life. The first is stupid people who repeatedly make bad decisions. The second is unnecessary cursing. This book was loaded with both.
Dale, the main character, is a worthless troll. It was impossible to find ANYTHING to respect about this man, and therefore I truly didn't care what...more
Unfortunately, I have two pet peeves in this life. The first is stupid people who repeatedly make bad decisions. The second is unnecessary cursing. This book was loaded with both.
Dale, the main character, is a worthless troll. It was impossible to find ANYTHING to respect about this man, and therefore I truly didn't care what...more
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William Elliott Hazelgrove’s Rocket Man is a first rate voice-driven black comedy. It is very funny and very engaging, one of those books I was happy to plough through in a couple of sittings, but Rocket Man has a lot more going on than its excellent entertainment value. It’s protagonist, Dale Hammer is a failing (or possibly failed) novelist who has abandoned his beloved Chicago neighborhood for a generic suburb in order to live out the most banal iteration of the American dream – the big ho...more
Wow. This book was a disappointment. I wanted to like it, after all I’m an angst ridden writer, living in a far off gated community, with serious back-to-the-city envy. I am Dale, and I hated him.
He was whiney and angry for no particular reason. His complaints grated on me and were ridiculously repetitive. Plus, the idea that they allowed him to be “rocket man” felt contrived at best. The book opens with him drunk driving through a field. If nothing else, we suburbanites are ridiculo...more
He was whiney and angry for no particular reason. His complaints grated on me and were ridiculously repetitive. Plus, the idea that they allowed him to be “rocket man” felt contrived at best. The book opens with him drunk driving through a field. If nothing else, we suburbanites are ridiculo...more
Dale Hammer is a struggling writer who has moved his family to the suburbs in search of the American Dream. Rather than finding suburban bliss, Dale is unable to hold his life together as he faces financial problems, marriage problems, and his failures as a father.
While many reviews of Rocket Man have referred to the book as humorous, I failed to see the humor in Dale Hammer's tremendous failures as a husband and father. (Although to be fair I didn't *get* the humor in The Nanny Diarie...more
While many reviews of Rocket Man have referred to the book as humorous, I failed to see the humor in Dale Hammer's tremendous failures as a husband and father. (Although to be fair I didn't *get* the humor in The Nanny Diarie...more
I received and Early Reviewer's copy of Rocket Man by William Elliott Hazelgrove through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. In general I am predisposed to like these books because I had some initial interest in reading it based on the description and that was certainly the case with this book. I was quite pleased that I was chosed to receive this book. Unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations at all.
Rocket Man is a story of middle-aged, middle class white men...more
Rocket Man is a story of middle-aged, middle class white men...more
Dale Hammer's got problems. He's got a big house in the 'burbs that he can't afford and a marriage that's cooling faster than polar bear droppings. The police are after him for vandalizing a sign and the school crossing guard is after him for speeding. His father, who has just lost his job and his marriage, has moved into his office. But worst of all, Dale realizes that he is becoming his own father, a remote figure who continually lets down his son -- and he can't seem to break out of his funk....more
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Donna
rated it
Recommends it for:
Gen-X group
Recommended to Donna by:
my book group
Shelves:
fiction,
read-more-than-once
The author is the writer-in-residence at the Hemingway house and there are a number of Oak Park links in this book. (I think that references to the town of "Oakland" in the book is Oak Park.)
The story is about a man, his wife, and two kids who move from their nice little house in "Oakland" to a big sprawling house with 2 acres in "Charleston" (maybe St. Charles?). He's a writer; she's a stay-at-home mom (ex-lawyer). Both, along with their 9 year old s...more
The story is about a man, his wife, and two kids who move from their nice little house in "Oakland" to a big sprawling house with 2 acres in "Charleston" (maybe St. Charles?). He's a writer; she's a stay-at-home mom (ex-lawyer). Both, along with their 9 year old s...more
William Hazelgrove's novel, "Rocket Man", is reminiscent of Richard Russo's writing. Both portray the plight of the average man with irony and wit. Implicit in this shared motif, are the vagaries found within the American Dream. Broken men with disintegrating marriages, questionable parenting skills and diminishing incomes flavor their novels. How they depict this is unique to their individual and refined styles. Hazelgrove handles the subject eloquently. His adages are not a burde...more
I see Dale Hammer as an angrier, more ironically aware Rabbit Angstrom. I think a modern update of the suburban ennui that Updike laid out for the '60s, '70s, '80's and '90s is necessary. The problem is, this book is not that modern update.
While at points, Hazelgrove's writing was spot on, pinpointing just the perfect detail or situation of suburban life that makes it so deadening for many people. The emotional turmoil of the character was well detailed and the subtle growth in Dale ...more
While at points, Hazelgrove's writing was spot on, pinpointing just the perfect detail or situation of suburban life that makes it so deadening for many people. The emotional turmoil of the character was well detailed and the subtle growth in Dale ...more
Sean Evans
added it
Hmmm. Apparently my original review of this didn't save, so I'm working from memory here. This book was, for the most part, a good, light read for me. It felt, to me, like a cautionary tale, and somewhat autobiographical at that. What happens when you get everything you think you want from life (or at least think you're supposed to want), and discover that what you really want is what you already had. Being at a similar crossroad in my life as the main character made it easy to identify with his...more
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this or not. It started slow but as I continued reading it I enjoyed it. It's about a man who doesn't know himself and is trying to find his place in his home and community. He is rebellious and doesn't want to conform. He is constantly pushing the envelope. He doesn't like the sign to his subdivision. It's cut down. He denies doing it. Did he or didn't he? He drives through a vacant lot with a vanload of boy scouts to get to the Dairy Queen they pas...more
I received an Advance Reading Copy of Rocket Man through Librarything.com. Because of it being an ARC I pushed my way through the entire book. I did not like the bad language; it was too much for me. I think the story would have been just as effective without it – which isn’t saying much because I did not think the story was believable. I found it hard to believe that anyone as self-involved as the protagonist would have stayed in a relationship that long. While parts of the book were amusi...more
I really enjoyed this book! I think it is my favorite early reviewer book I've read. Being younger then the main character in the book I found myself thinking I could be in that sort of position in 20 years, and that I don't want to be. So even though not directly related to me I can still relate to this book a lot. I really liked the humor in this book and found myself suppressing giggles throughout it. I think this book is good for anyone who can really relate to the main character and hi...more
Rocket Man was a very enjoyable story. It centers around Dale, husband and father of two. Dale is stuck in the burbs, hating every minute of it. His idea was to get out of the city and live the idyllic country life. This is not what he ended up with. instead, his house is close to foreclosure, bills are piling up, and his daughter cries at the drop of a pin.
Dale is an author in a slump. His first few novels are published but he has had nothing new in four years. He fights with his wife...more
Dale is an author in a slump. His first few novels are published but he has had nothing new in four years. He fights with his wife...more
A good book, that accurately describes much of the middle class sentiments in our most current society. A writer who feels literary guilt, the guilt of knowing he should read the classics but never does, who hasn't had a hit in years, and can't make the money to support the house hold in the suburbs that he purchased three years ago. His life slowly falls apart in front of his face due to serious family, neighborhood, and financial problems, all coming to a head with his promise to be Rocket Man...more
I got this ARC through Library Thing...to be honest I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I am totally a judge a book by the cover kind of person but it was free so I thought I would give it a fair shake. I really liked it. I thought it was funny. A lot of people here have commented on the editing and yes that was annoying but it is an ARC. It's a story that I could related too. A parent who gets caught up in the rat race and is trying to make it right. He doesn't want to make the same mistak...more
Rocket Man by William Elliott Hazelgrove is an independence story. Dale and Wendy Hammer decide to live the American Dream and move from the city to the suburbs. They move into a neighborhood of million door homes that is beyond their means. They find themselves lonely and alone. It seems that everyone and everything in the suburbs is the same, and they have trouble conforming. Things start to fall apart for Dale. He has three published novels, but can’t seem to write anymore. He’s a mort...more
What happens when everything in your "perfect" life seems to take a nose dive? Your Dad moves in with your family, the HOA believes you have destroyed their sign (the worlds ugliest sign that is!)and to top it off your supposed to be the rocket launch man for your sons boy scout troop. But as Dales wife says when he asks "why did you marry me?" she answers because it will never be boring and this book is never boring. When you are ready for a good laugh here's the book for yo...more
I hate to say this (I mean, here they send me a free book), but I really didn't like this book. I got the point he was trying to make (I'm not really stupid and felt like it was being shoved down my throat), and I don't necessarily disagree with it, but I want to be entertained or at least interested in what I'm reading. I was bored, I did not like Dale the main character, it was depressing, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. The very very end was good, but what you have to go through to get...more
I couldn't relate to Dale Hammer at all, but did enjoy the book, which I thought was a decent, fast read. The writing is above par, which is few and far between in recently published books today. I also think the book provides its hero with the classic downfall heading for redemption role and borders on a happy ending with conditions: better than an outright happy ending and mirroring real life, which is fraught with anything but happy endings. Dale is far from perfect, but so is everyone, and t...more
This book takes a hilarious look at the failed writing career of protagonist Dale Hammer. I was hooked just reading the "Preflight" as Hazelgrove calls his preface. It speaks of the protagonist's traveling salesman father and his childhood, both of which I could identify with. The novel follows Hammer as a father, husband, and lost character. The search for what he wants to do with his life seems to fit the struggle when we ask, "What now?"
Rocket Man was almost too painful to read. Given the current state of the economy and reasons for that state, it was totally believable. Ten years ago it might have served as a cautionary tale but today it could be a story on 20/20.
A few years ago Dale and his wife and kids left Chicago for the suburbs - land of big houses on big lots, no crime, and like-minded folks (well, maybe not). What they realize a little too late is that it's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. ...more
A few years ago Dale and his wife and kids left Chicago for the suburbs - land of big houses on big lots, no crime, and like-minded folks (well, maybe not). What they realize a little too late is that it's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. ...more
Grating. I was sort of looking forward to this one. I got the impression it was going to be somewhat funny. Well, apparently not to me. I read 100+ pages and decided to just let it go...My take on it for these first pages: one of the most negative pieces of fiction I've read in a LONG time. And I suppose the negativity is part of the point of the novel but I found the main character very whiney, unresponsible, and unaccountable to the life he arranged/chose for himself. Maybe it will get better,...more
The story line didn't catch me from the beginning and the characters are well developed enough that they become quickly tiresome in their unlikability. The book did, however, draw me to the end...if not simply to see where the author was going. In the end, I gave the book three stars, I was interested to see that he came full circle with the Rocket Man theme and broadened the character development. They become more endearing as you get to know them. I am pleased that I didn't abandon the book as...more
I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book. The main character, Dale Hammer, sounds like he's about where I am right now. He's working towards the American Dream, but isn't having success. -Aren't many of us striving for the same thing?- He was thrust into being Rocket Man for his son's scout troop. -Our son is involved in scouts and we're preparing for the pinewood derby race.- He wants to give his son a sense of independence. -That sounds like a good goal to me.-
Well, the book fe...more
Well, the book fe...more
Okay, so I admit I fell for judging the book by the bad title/cover art, and just like I was very wrong on Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (another great book with an awful title and book cover), I was wrong on this.
I found myself at the beginning of the book thinking that I would never be able to relate or feel for the main "slacker" character or his father, but as the story started to progress, I found myself very much drawn into the book. I think the turning point was the...more
I found myself at the beginning of the book thinking that I would never be able to relate or feel for the main "slacker" character or his father, but as the story started to progress, I found myself very much drawn into the book. I think the turning point was the...more
William
rated it
· (Review from the author)
· (Review from the author)
Recommends it for:
friends and family
Recommended to William by:
saw a review online.
Rocket Man is a really funny book about being in the suburbs and having a family. It is very much about our time. This man, Dale Hammer, is about to lose his home and has been acccused of cutting down the sign to his subdivision. And he has his Southern father living over his garage at the same time he is supposed to be the Rocket Man for his son's Scout Troop. The implosion happens in one week and I won't tell you the ending, but very very funny and really relevent to what is going on with the ...more
Donna led the discussion on this book.
Wow, it took me nearly two months to muster the energy to get through this book. If it wasn't for receiving it through the GoodReads giveaway, I would've certainly given up on it after the first couple of chapters.
This book fell short on my expectations. The storyline was lackluster. The excessive use of profanity was too over the top. And it felt contrived to have the story wrap up happily every after in the last two pages after 270+ pages of dismal reading.
This book fell short on my expectations. The storyline was lackluster. The excessive use of profanity was too over the top. And it felt contrived to have the story wrap up happily every after in the last two pages after 270+ pages of dismal reading.
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I wrote my first novel out of college and didn't publish it until six years later. I gathered rejection letters like other people gather leaves and another three years passed before I published my second novel. I have been a janitor,waiter,real estate agent, broker, teacher, professor, construction worker, salesman...just about anything to keep on writing. Three years later I published my third no...more
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