An Underachiever's Diary

A close friend recently shared this book with me and I must say that Ben Anastas has hit the mark in this his first published novel. I hope we see some more from this talented writer in the very near future.

I have read this book twice and have recommended it to everyone I know who has a sense of humor. It is truly refreshing to be able to sit down after a long work day and read a book where the author can analyze his own shortcomings with good humor...if only we all could do that.

The last few readers seem to be reading with an agenda instead of taking this subtle and gemlike novel at face-value. For a more appropriate response, see the beginning of the reader's review section. Save William from the nabobs and naysayers of the world!

An Underachiever's Diary was a very good novel. Not since Catcher in the Rye have I had so much fun reading a novel. I never wanted to stop reading it. The book is about a young man named William, who is a complete loser throughout his whole life and trys his best to not be in the shadow of his own younger twin brother Clive, who is a very successful person. The sad thing is that William has had bad luck ever since his birth in the hospital room. It is funny, however, how he never tries to become like his brother even though he idolizes him and just when things start to go right for him, he gets messed up again. He is like a modernized Holden Caulfield. Overall, this is a very good book to read and I highly recommend it.

The cover of this book is what first drew me in to it; so dull to be so full of brilliance. A very easy read, it is a wonderfully compelling book, which managed to make me laugh, then feel sad for poor William, and then turn around and cheer for him in the end, hoping that he really does become the greatest underachiever in the world. I disagree entirely with Kirkus. The story does not need a plot, but stands alone as a simple monologue, reminiscent, perhaps, of Kerouac's free form. The "moral" or the story is what's truly important. I must say, it is one of the most refreshing books i have read in a long while. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Anastas' work.