Another Bullshit Night in Suck City

Memoirs are an interesting read.  Couple that with the type of the trials and tribulations of many who don’t live the “American Dream,” and you have Another Bullshit Night in Suck City.  Not sure that the title actually captures the book at all, but I guess it means something to Nick Flynn, the author, and his father (Yes there is a line from his Dad that refers to living in Boston as a homeless person.  Sorry Bostonians, even without the homelessness piece, the term is fitting… not a big Boston guy….  Nothing personal).    Flynn, who is just two years older than me leads a difficult life growing up with an alcoholic father who is homeless and a mother who goes through a series of relationships and husbands and eventually commits suicide while Nick is attending UMass Amherst.  Nick moves to Boston where his father drifts from apt to apt and eventually to the shelter that Nick works at.  The book’s format drifts from current reality to the past interweaving the demise of the smooth speaking dad.  Nick’s pain is felt often through his disclosure of his own troubles with focus and drugs/alcohol, though that really is not the focus of the story.  It is really a story of failed relationships, false hopes, and unclear directions.  The pressures our society place on people to be something that OTHERS feel they should be in many ways serves as message to live your life with no regrets, be aware of those who can help us, and seek your own answers to the questions that haunt us.  The back and forth nature (style of writing) didn’t work as well for me and actually served as an annoyance.  Lots of sympathy for the characters involved through this raw real-life story.  I just learned from José in my office that Flynn taught at NYU!! In SPSS.  How cool is that?  NYU students, take advantage of those great authors.  Flynn’s depiction and history were painted with a realism and truth that captured the reader.  Surprised it hasn’t become a TNT movie of the week.  Not top ten material, but wouldn’t throw it away.  You have to like this style of “realism” like Dry and others that fit this style.