Photograph by Ryan McGuire
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated by Tom Starita is a book about a man (Lucas James), a musician who dreams to become a Music Idol. He dreams that one day other musicians will play his songs like he is doing now for others.
Succeeding in the music industry is the only thing that is in his mind, and it will sacrifice everything to achieve it. His monolithic thinking and selfish behavior cost him his ten-year relationship with his girlfriend Jackie, his “Apple Jack” as he used to call her.
Having no means of economic support (Jackie paid for everything while he was pursuing his dream) made him realize that he needed to find a job.
Through lies and manipulation, he manages to find a job and rent an apartment.
His deceitful nature and avoidance of dealing with reality was shaped in him from a young age when his father left him and his big brother Eddie took the role of the man in the house. He retaliates by getting in trouble with using drugs and ending up having problems with the police. The problematic relationship he had with his mother and his big brother was counterbalanced by his relationship with his smaller brother Franky. Franky loves them both and understands them both and ends up in the middle of their shaky relationship.
I enjoyed the monologues and thoughts patterns of the main character. I especially loved the arguments he presented of why 13, 26 and 39 are not lucky numbers. There was a bit of mathematical paranoia involved, but it made me smile.
Tom Starita managed very successfully to present an individual that encompasses a few everyone thoughts, actions, wishes, and dreams. You can’t hate Lucas James, but at the same time, you can’t love him. He is neither a bad or good guy; he walks in the dark gray realm of human relationships and human interactions.
We are the representatives of the society we live in, and Tom Starita’s story brilliantly illustrates in fun, and sarcastic way just that.
Highly recommended.
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