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Waiting 'Round To Die
A mind-bending drive into the abyss.
A nameless man, existing perilously close to the edge, flees his suburban home for the open road in a last-ditch effort to connect with the life he once lived. On the road he finds his long-lost uncle who takes him on a continent-spanning adventure where they meet Civil War generals, a legendary Navajo, and a rotating cast of characters who may, or may not, have the answers to the questions the man is asking. Over the course of thousands of miles and through countless towns and bars, they hastily push toward the western horizon and the promise it may hold.
Waiting ‘Round To Die is an unflinching look at the ravages of time and the quest for meaning in an otherwise inconsequential existence. A sometime travelogue, mixtape, and recipe book, Waiting ‘Round To Die is, at its core, a “coming-of-middle-age” story, which takes readers to the very brink of an existential crisis where all bets are off and the future is no longer guaranteed.
A nameless man, existing perilously close to the edge, flees his suburban home for the open road in a last-ditch effort to connect with the life he once lived. On the road he finds his long-lost uncle who takes him on a continent-spanning adventure where they meet Civil War generals, a legendary Navajo, and a rotating cast of characters who may, or may not, have the answers to the questions the man is asking. Over the course of thousands of miles and through countless towns and bars, they hastily push toward the western horizon and the promise it may hold.
Waiting ‘Round To Die is an unflinching look at the ravages of time and the quest for meaning in an otherwise inconsequential existence. A sometime travelogue, mixtape, and recipe book, Waiting ‘Round To Die is, at its core, a “coming-of-middle-age” story, which takes readers to the very brink of an existential crisis where all bets are off and the future is no longer guaranteed.
292 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2022
1 person is currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Chris Grant
2 books11 followersHall of Fame sportswriter Chris Grant has a daughter and a dog, both of whom reside in central Texas. He has published short stories, history articles, and true crime research, in addition to his journalism, which has been featured in newspapers from coast to coast. When not writing, he goes to punk rock shows, curates the baseball history website Letters From Home Plate, and dreams of running away to Iceland.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 22, 2022
A man who is a bit rough around the edges and is reaching the peak of his life, for better or for worse, is found in the pages of Waiting ‘Round to Die by Chris Grant. Our protagonist is a man who has reached the peak of his life and is found wanting. Throughout the chapters readers are treated to his history as well as his present situation. He combs through the events of his life in an effort to find out where he had gone wrong, what he had done right, and where he was going in the end. The book takes readers on a thought-provoking character exploration of a man and the demons he faces as he tries to give meaning to his life. A so-called ‘mid-life crisis’ has reared its ugly head and our protagonist must find a way to soldier on.
Author Chris Grant is an observant and sharp writer. You can feel the misery of the protagonist and you can feel his dissatisfaction with where he has ended up and his unhappiness with the life he has made for himself. The wife, the child, the house, the job. These are supposed to be the quintessential “American Dream” milestones. But there is something nagging at our protagonist, so he leaves it all behind with nary a word to anyone and takes to the open road. I really enjoyed how well the emotional weight of these moments were captured and carried throughout the narrative.
This is an emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to adults that are struggling to find meaning in contemporary life. This book will also appeal to readers looking for a heartfelt and introspective story that’s propelled forward by a compelling protagonist that asks questions that we have all asked at one time or another. Those who find themselves trapped in a seemingly perfect life and yet are left wanting. Those who want the freedom that the open road offers.
The novel explores a variety of topics though a man that is, like everyone else, imperfect and his thoughts and actions color this novel. The authors exceptional writing makes the self-pity throughout this novel bearable as well as the moments of selfishness.
If you, like our nameless protagonist, find yourself wondering what else is out there, then you should pick up Waiting ‘Round to Die by Chris Grant. This is a charismatic true-to-life coming-of-middle-age story. While the protagonist searches for the meaning in his life, perhaps you will find the meaning in yours.
Author Chris Grant is an observant and sharp writer. You can feel the misery of the protagonist and you can feel his dissatisfaction with where he has ended up and his unhappiness with the life he has made for himself. The wife, the child, the house, the job. These are supposed to be the quintessential “American Dream” milestones. But there is something nagging at our protagonist, so he leaves it all behind with nary a word to anyone and takes to the open road. I really enjoyed how well the emotional weight of these moments were captured and carried throughout the narrative.
This is an emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to adults that are struggling to find meaning in contemporary life. This book will also appeal to readers looking for a heartfelt and introspective story that’s propelled forward by a compelling protagonist that asks questions that we have all asked at one time or another. Those who find themselves trapped in a seemingly perfect life and yet are left wanting. Those who want the freedom that the open road offers.
The novel explores a variety of topics though a man that is, like everyone else, imperfect and his thoughts and actions color this novel. The authors exceptional writing makes the self-pity throughout this novel bearable as well as the moments of selfishness.
If you, like our nameless protagonist, find yourself wondering what else is out there, then you should pick up Waiting ‘Round to Die by Chris Grant. This is a charismatic true-to-life coming-of-middle-age story. While the protagonist searches for the meaning in his life, perhaps you will find the meaning in yours.
August 18, 2022
This is one journey and one trip that I'm truly sorry I missed. I guess reading about it is the next best thing. Grant's intelligent wit, dry sarcasm, deep appreciation of culinary bravado, leaving no drink unfinished and deep appreciation of historical perspective and significance kept me deeply entertained. I laughed, I cried and in the end gave thanks for family.
August 23, 2022
Rock solid book about life from a gifted writer.
September 17, 2022
Well written and in the vein of Kerouac. A middle aged man is searching for meaning to his life after realizing The life he’s living isn’t what he thought it would be. I was a difficult read for me; I’m the author’s mother and parts of the story made me cry, but it is well written and I’m proud he stuck with one of his dreams and got it published.
February 20, 2023
3 1/2 stars -- For me this is the second book I've read in the last couple of weeks dealing with depression, looking at past regrets, and wondering what life's purpose is. However, this is a completely different take on these issues. The narrator, a middle-aged male who is a writer facing long-term writer's block, has walked away from his wife, daughter and home to wander in search of answers. I definitely enjoyed the ghost travelers he picks up along the way, his loved and deceased uncle and two famous generals (I don't want to include any spoilers by naming them). I enjoyed the travel guide along the road as well as the appendixes included. I will warn those who would object that there is a great deal of drinking and a healthy amount of cursing, but these do fit the narrator and his uncle's personalities.
December 21, 2022
A thoughtful and varied tale. We explore the deep (meaning of life, family dynamics, the best recipes for old fashioneds and pimento cheese) and the surface-level challenges (seriously, why are the Peabody ducks so fascinating to folks?) that arise in life. It's a challenging exploration at times (at least I found myself frustrated by the narrator, at times) but I think that's the point - even the narrator is frustrated by himself. Told through travel, consumption (don't read if you're hungry!), flashbacks, and dialogues with other-worldly companions, the droll wit of the author keeps you in pace with the narrator, peeling back the layers and making sense of his predicaments. Having visited and lived in many of the places we travel to, I especially appreciated the author's ability to paint a local's picture of the locations of the novel. And I really wish I could spend a night of gin and tonics with Glenn!
January 19, 2023
Very entertaining and quirky book that truly was a pleasure to read!
Thank you Goodreads!
Thank you Goodreads!
December 16, 2022
***Goodreads Giveaway Win***
Hmmm, how do I feel about this book? I appreciate what Chris Grant did. I'll start with that. I like the magical realistic, nihilistic, absurdist concept. This is usually my jam. However, Chris Grant's writing just didn't hit with me. I don't think the humor came through. I like a shaggy picaresque. But it needs to go someone or have a point. This book appeared to have none of those things. I got the feeling the book was written just to write a book. I also got the feeling it was written as a vehicle to display the author's knowledge of Civil War history without having to write a nonfiction book on the Civil War. Finally, I would hope that the author knows the glut of books written about and by middle-aged, male disaffected men. I was hoping the author would acknowledge that he's perpetuating a stereotype. However, what I got was a book written as if it were covering new ground. It did not cover new ground. It drove right in to the over-travelled ruts in the road.
Hmmm, how do I feel about this book? I appreciate what Chris Grant did. I'll start with that. I like the magical realistic, nihilistic, absurdist concept. This is usually my jam. However, Chris Grant's writing just didn't hit with me. I don't think the humor came through. I like a shaggy picaresque. But it needs to go someone or have a point. This book appeared to have none of those things. I got the feeling the book was written just to write a book. I also got the feeling it was written as a vehicle to display the author's knowledge of Civil War history without having to write a nonfiction book on the Civil War. Finally, I would hope that the author knows the glut of books written about and by middle-aged, male disaffected men. I was hoping the author would acknowledge that he's perpetuating a stereotype. However, what I got was a book written as if it were covering new ground. It did not cover new ground. It drove right in to the over-travelled ruts in the road.
January 1, 2023
I'm not really sure how to classify this book, but I will try.
This is the story of a middle-aged man who has reached that age and finds himself wondering "now what?" or "is that all?" You have read about those before, but not like this.
Add in a bit of humor, stir in a LOT of food, sprinkle in a good helping of roaming around looking for who-knows-what, layer in Civil War history (of which the author knows quite a lot about), put it in a lasagna pan, top with cheese, bake it off, and BOOM! That's this book.
This is the story of a middle-aged man who has reached that age and finds himself wondering "now what?" or "is that all?" You have read about those before, but not like this.
Add in a bit of humor, stir in a LOT of food, sprinkle in a good helping of roaming around looking for who-knows-what, layer in Civil War history (of which the author knows quite a lot about), put it in a lasagna pan, top with cheese, bake it off, and BOOM! That's this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews