ROMANCE, RICHES, AND RESTROOMS: A CAUTIONARY TALE OF AMBITIOUS DREAMS AND IRRITABLE BOWELS

by Tim Phelan

Tim Phelan is a confident, twenty-one-year-old college graduate who is determined to build his future on two solid meeting the woman of his dreams, and earning a financial fortune. Three months after he lands a job that promises to put him on the fast track to luxury-home ownership and country-club living, Phelan's plans begin to his brain and digestive tract seem to have entered into a diabolical conspiracy, and they appear hell-bent on destroying his ambitious plans, his confidence, and so much more. Set amid the rigid expectations of a polite society where mentioning bodily functions is taboo, this tragically hilarious memoir chronicles one man's desperate quest to conceal and conquer irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Follow the offbeat odyssey of this buttoned-down bachelor as he struggles to navigate the high-pressure world of investment banking and the image-conscious San Francisco dating scene before he becomes a penniless hermit.

Genres: Memoir

268 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2006

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Tim Phelan's book in preparation for his appearance on my podcast Writers in the Sky (iTunes). I felt sorry for this poor guy who couldn't leave home without a bottle of Immodium AD--not that it worked all that well. I laughed with him for sure, but I couldn't help but gain a better understanding of irritable bowel syndrome and those who suffer with it.

During our interview, Tim was witty yet he gave some great information about the symptoms of IBS and how this condition has affected him through the years. Deciding that honesty is the best policy, he's given us his heart and spilled his guts on paper. Loved this book and this author!

Yvonne Perry

[Susan Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will not disappoint and everyone can find humor in this as we all have had digestive issues at some point or another in life. Maybe some more than others but it is a good read!!

[DirqusMaximus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating character study that runs just a little bit too long for its own good, "Romance, Riches, and Restrooms" is a unique reading experience. You obviously have to be prepared for bathroom humor, and bathroom activities, in general. After the first few chapters, you'll quickly get into the rhythm of things - narrator gets into a situation (a date, a job interview, a trip), feels confident, nearly shits himself, loses confidence. The adventures move by quickly enough that the repetition never becomes agonizing.

The most intriguing aspect of the book, for me, was the narrator. He constantly assures us that he's outgoing, charming, a ladies' man, great at first impressions, etc... but, in action, we see almost the opposite of these qualities - smarmy, selfish, and abrasive. Approach the book as the memoir of a delusional, Poe-esque unreliable narrator and your reading experience will be greatly enriched.

[Amanda Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay...if you have IBS or any other intestinal disorder, this book is an automatic best-seller for you! Also, it's awesome anyway. Very funny, even has some quarter-life crisis added into it. Plus I contacted the author and he was very nice and willing to talk! Currently he resides in Philadelphia.

[Kim Deangelis · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I do in fact realize this book is about how horrible IBS is and I get that, but my goodness I couldn't help but laugh at the way he told the story!!!!