A clairvoyant when it comes to the Starbucks orders of strangers, a quixotic renegade when it comes to the federal bureaucracy, and a devoted belie...
read full description
reviews
Nov 01, 2011
Eddie
rated it: 
I realize, compared to most goodread reviewers, I like a lot of shitty books. Well, if you look at most reviews of this particular book, most people gave it a low score. When I try to read the books with an average rating of four or higher, I usually have a hard time getting into them. Zeke Pappas is probably the most unlikable character I've come across in a fully read book, yet I enjoyed the book to the fullest extent, minus one-star. How did the writer manifest such a feat within me? Maybe, d
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 11, 2012
Felicity
rated it: 
Zeke, the Executive Director of the Great Midwestern Humanities Initiative (GMHI), has six months to find a wife. His mother is dying (stage four cancer), and if he is not married before she dies, custody of his nieces--who have been living with he and his mother since the tragic death of their parents a year earlier--goes to his sister-in law and her husband. Zeke desperately wants to keep them. His prospects are varied: Sofia Coppola ("Why not aim high?); his favorite Starbucks barista
More...
Nov 19, 2011
Giano
rated it: 
This book is a thoroughly enjoyable and compulsive read, yet it retains a sneaky ability to catch you off guard with its profundity in the moments when the author grounds the breezy narrative in its larger historical context.
There were times when the protagonist, Zeke Pappas, has a tendency to come off as absurdly unaware of the goings-on around him -- so much so that at first I found this off-putting because it came off as unrealistic. And yet, as the story went along I realized that More...
There were times when the protagonist, Zeke Pappas, has a tendency to come off as absurdly unaware of the goings-on around him -- so much so that at first I found this off-putting because it came off as unrealistic. And yet, as the story went along I realized that More...
Aug 24, 2011
Denise
rated it: 
This is so clearly a case of the wrong book ending up in the wrong hands that I question if I should even write this review.
Zeke Pappas, director of the Great Midwestern Humanities Initiative, is working on a special project, a chronicle of American Unhappiness. He spends his days interviewing subjects on what makes them unhappy and his nights caring for his two young neices (his brother died in Iraq and sister-in-law died driving drunk) and his ill mother. When his mother learns sh More...
Zeke Pappas, director of the Great Midwestern Humanities Initiative, is working on a special project, a chronicle of American Unhappiness. He spends his days interviewing subjects on what makes them unhappy and his nights caring for his two young neices (his brother died in Iraq and sister-in-law died driving drunk) and his ill mother. When his mother learns sh More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 15, 2011
Sheri
rated it:
I was very disappointed with this book. I read his first book (Please don't come back from the moon) and thought it was insightful and entertaining. My American Unhappiness lacked a sense of focus (how many times do we have to read almost the same paragraph attributing individual unhappiness to the Bush Administration? I mean, I was a fan of Clinton and quite relieved when Obama took office, but really are we going to talk about politics through this very personality based novel?), was very c
More...
Aug 24, 2011
Go2therock
rated it:
Ugh! This book's title caught my eye near the checkout of my local library. Perusing the flyleaf, I decided to give myself a light read break with this one. At the outset, that's what this appeared to be - mildly humorous, sardonically witty, consistent pace. As it progressed, however, I felt a steady tidal pool of unhappiness building, drawing me inward and down. Just enough of a thread of hope is offered throughout (could Zeke seriously be that delusional and out of touch with reality?) th
More...
Aug 05, 2011
Ellen
rated it: 
In my readings I have rarely encountered a less likeable character than Zeke Pappas, the "protagonist" of this book. Even his mother doesn't like him very much. He spends his work days switching back and forth between consuming coffee and consuming alcoholic beverages. It is easy to see why his life seems to be falling apart around him, since he's never made a serious attempt at making a life. And he never gets to that point in the book, either. I kept waiting for Zeke to redeem h
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 08, 2011
Kyla
rated it:
You know, I liked this a great deal more than you are likely too. Or than I would have thought. The social commentary is incisive if not particularly keen - consumption is bad, the suburbs are bland, about 3/4 through I finally figured out the chapter titles could double as FB status updates. But unlike Adam Ross's Mr. Peanut or Johnathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You or Sam Lipsyte's The Ask for that matter, this book and the main character have a kernel of sweetness that redeems all the
More...
Aug 27, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
Why are you unhappy? That’s the question thirty-something midwestern Zeke Pappas asks his subjects. He’s gathering answers for his magnum opus, a study of American Unhappiness. When the novel opens we’re nearly finished with the Bush administration, seven years after 9/11, and Zeke is hoping to figure out what it is that makes Americans unhappy, which is different from sad, he explains at one point in Dean Bakopolous’ novel My American Unhappiness. The novel is littered with the answers Zeke get
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 12, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
I . . . can't decide if I think this book is unique and creative and fresh or just plain strange and not that good. The whole time I was reading it, I was analyzing it, wondering if it would be better written in third person, trying to put my finger on what felt "off." The best thing I can think of to compare it to is a cross between Franzen's The Corrections, an awkward Ben Stiller movie, an NPR feature story, and the voice of the narrator who has Asperger's Syndrome in The Curious
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jun 27, 2011
Sultan
rated it:
This novel had some good moments, but overall, it was merely okay. The author's intentions seem somewhat muddled in terms of the narrator's reliability, and I imagine that most readers who empathize with the narrator will do so mostly out of pity. While the testimonials on American Unhappiness keep the book moving forward, there are a number of turns (namely one involving the narrator's dead wife) that felt contrived and unbelievable. On the sentence level, the book is a smooth read, but seem
More...
Jul 27, 2011
Amygk
rated it:
This was an odd book, but I found it strangely delightful. The last page had me looking at the text wondering about the fate of the character and remembering that time he just finished describing (November of 2008 right after the election). Zeke, the main character, at points had me cringing for him, hating him and cheering him on. I'm not sure who I would recommend this book to, most people wouldn't like it (I first heard it mentioned on NPR and indeed I can't imagine someone who doesn't lis
More...
Nov 15, 2011
Richie
rated it:
Despite having some great passages, the book seemed to be a standard critique of American society during the Bush years. The issue has been mined to death, and I didn't feel like there was any original insight into the Bush years.
Also, the book goes on a strange tangent, and the second half the protagonist becomes extremely erratic, and his behavior unbelievable.
This is unfortunate, because Bakopoulous's first book, "Please Don't Come Back from the Moon" I More...
Also, the book goes on a strange tangent, and the second half the protagonist becomes extremely erratic, and his behavior unbelievable.
This is unfortunate, because Bakopoulous's first book, "Please Don't Come Back from the Moon" I More...
Aug 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Zeke Pappas is on a mission - to compile a list of what makes Americans unhappy. Which is perfect, because he works at the Great Midwestern Humanities Initiative. Aside from having a pretty sweet job Zeke plays father figure to his twin orphan nieces and roommate to his elderly mother. When his mother has a change of heart Zeke needs to find a wife before everything he knows is taken from him.
My American Unhappiness sounds interesting, right? What with interviews of the general popul More...
My American Unhappiness sounds interesting, right? What with interviews of the general popul More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Nina
rated it:
This may have gotten two stars if the book wasn't set in Madison, WI - there are so many references to the Madison scene, landmarks (Hilldale Mall! Monroe street!) and the social vibe here in Madison that I mostly enjoyed reading it because I could picture what was happening as I read through it. I thought the story line was uneven and waffled too much between a poignant almost saccharine story about family loyalty and a ridiculous story of an utterly desperate 34 yr old guy. The two fit tog
More...
Jan 03, 2012
Roxy
rated it:
"My American Unhappiness" was not at all what I thought it would be. The book is filled with political opinions that I found unnecessary, and I read books to get away from those opinions on politics and religion. On top of that the political opinions are poorly written and just so negative, without a view of "both sides". The story began very slowly, and was very uninteresting. Then the author turned it around, made you want to know what was happening, who was behind the
More...
Dec 30, 2011
Jamie
rated it:
If the title or the beautiful cover doesn't pull you in on this book, then the very clever writing probably will do the trick. Zeke Pappas is, as far as I can tell, an unusual young man of 34: he is witty, conscientious, and considerate. He is also horny and conflicted and so all to common among his gender.
Whereas I would probably be horrified to read a similar non-fiction account by a man his age (see "Honeymoon with My Brother"), I was thoroughly entertained--charmed, even--b More...
Whereas I would probably be horrified to read a similar non-fiction account by a man his age (see "Honeymoon with My Brother"), I was thoroughly entertained--charmed, even--b More...
Jan 23, 2012
Kim
rated it:
It's no secret I adore Dean Bakopoulos. His first novel Please Don't Come Back from the Moon is one of those novels I recommend to, well, everyone I know. My American Unhappiness is a different novel (love when authors evolve!); it's a bit more broad, a bit more seasoned, but it is still Bakopoulos' same observational genius and heart. I loved it so very much. It's the first novel in a long time where I simply had to stop and underline certain lines (okay, whole paragraphs) because I felt so
More...
Feb 20, 2012
Jason
rated it:
Zeke is the sort of character you probably know: seems like a great guy but is not married (which concerns us and modern society). His mother desperately wants him to marry and he embarks on a quest based on recommendations from a women's magazine article.
He is ultimately a very sad character -clueless about women and relationships. He lives in a fantasy world.
The book is very entertaining and strangely funny. There is an underlying sadness and some incisive views on society.
I More...
He is ultimately a very sad character -clueless about women and relationships. He lives in a fantasy world.
The book is very entertaining and strangely funny. There is an underlying sadness and some incisive views on society.
I More...
Jan 25, 2011
Janet
rated it:
I really hate to give a book 2 stars, but I couldn't get into this one. Perhaps as a reader I should be comfortable with characters I do not like, but in this case I couldn't care much about what was going to happen to Zeke Pappas because I really did not like him (and didn't have much reason to like anybody else in the story, save for a couple of Zeke's family members).
This book has a specific audience that will really dig it--unfortunately, I'm not one of those audience members.
This book has a specific audience that will really dig it--unfortunately, I'm not one of those audience members.
Jun 18, 2011
Marsha
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought Zeke Pappas was a wonderful character. I like the way the initial impression he gives us changes as we see the way his friends and family react to him. How can you not like a guy who can guess what perfect strangers are going to order at Starbucks as soon as they step up to the counter. Zeke's journey to self-awareness (at least maybe a little) is a funny, thoughtful, touching ride.
Apr 24, 2011
Lolly LKH
rated it:
This is a strange review for me because I was bored by some of this novel but loved the 'why are you unhappy' interviews. In fact, it's what kept the book floating for me. I'm not sure if it's the writer's style I I'm not warming to, as I've only read this novel by him, or if it's the narrator of this particular story. I just wasn't that interested in Zeke. SO people, take this review with a grain of salt, toss it over your shoulder because I am still mixed about it.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 10, 2011
Rosa
rated it:
I chortled. I snorted. I laughed out loud. I really thought this book started strongly and had some great social satire but then it just got stuck as the protagonist went from being entertaining although irresponsible to a plain drunk dipshit. I guess I missed the message of what this book was supposed to be about because I just don't understand how a writer this obviously talented didn't see the need to have some sort of realization about this narrator.
Aug 03, 2011
Steven
rated it:
Read the description and reviews on Amazon as I am too tired to type. But this is a really great book. Note that some conservative reviewers didn't care for it because the main character made two or three Bush bashing comments in the book. But it seems to me that the author was hardly trying to push a liberal viewpoint, given that his character is deeply flawed. Just the kind of interesting character that is fun to read about, and the twists in his life are always fascinating.
Jul 27, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
I enjoyed this book but not enough to merit a "really liked it" 4 stars. Bakopoulos writes with great ease and injects a lot of humor (accompanied by many awkward moments) into his protagonist. I felt like it ended before it really got started. I wanted to read more about the Great American Unhappiness project and Zeke's life in Livonia, but had to settle for the brief glimpse into his awesomely weird world.
Oct 19, 2011
Joe
rated it:
This is an unsettlingly, crushingly sad book. It reads like a breezy, light story, but the ocean of unsaid is what makes the book great. There's a truth behind the words, suggested but ignored by our "unreliable narrator", that forms the basis of the true story. The story you read, and the story you'll intuit. Among all the books I've read this year, this is the one I think about the most. And it makes me melancholy every time.
As a side note, the 1- and 2-star reviews that More...
As a side note, the 1- and 2-star reviews that More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 02, 2012
Kaia
rated it:
I picked this up after listening to the author on To The Best of Our Knowledge. I really liked the local connection, but it left me a little unsatisfied. I guess if I am going to read about a sad sack middle aged white man who screws up his life, it needs to be coupled with something....more. I'm not sure what that is, but this book didn't quite hit it.
Aug 05, 2011
Johnnytecmo
rated it:
One of the best fiction books I have read in a long time, maybe ever. The majority of it takes place in Madison in 2008 and has about 50+ Madisonian references. Regardless of that, the protagonist is right up there with the most memorable ones in fiction. I actually had to join GoodReads because of this damn book, just to get the word out. Read it now.
Sep 08, 2011
Patricia
rated it:
Zeke Pappas is interested in one question--- in a land of relative prosperity, wealth, and health, why are Americans so unhappy?? Ironically enough, our protagonist is unhappy, but hides it (unsuccessfull) in his busyness and distraction. Despite the subject matter, this book has its belly laughs and it's sociological insights. Watch Zeke stumble from one slapstick situation to another. A fun, light read
Jun 07, 2011
I loved the fact that Dean Bakopoulos's quirky contemporary novel is set in Madison, WI. He definitely catches the vibe of our fair city, and portrays it lovingly (although not without satirizing some aspects of our oh-so-politically correct community). He also explores that life of a 30-ish young man in search of himself (and love). I found My American Unhappiness a very enjoyable read!
