Attention. Deficit. Disorder.

Wow. I had put off reading this book because of the decidedly mixed reviews it had received. I wish I hadn't waited. I just tore through this book in a few hours' time, and when I reached the end, it left me with that weird teary feeling that comes on when I really connect with a story. The narrator of this book, Wayne, finds out that his ex-girlfriend has committed suicide. Over the course of the book, every decision he makes, each path he carves out is somehow colored by the horrible news he has received. This is, in some sense, a road novel combined with A. J. Jacob's The Know-It-All, which, coincidentally, I just finished reading a couple of weeks ago. Wayne's narrative is populated with definitions of words and the history of places, inventions and ideas. It is not clear as you read that these devices are directly tied to the narrative. I understand that some readers become impatient with this. I think perhaps The Know-It-All conditioned me for this -- but for whatever reason, it worked for me. By the end, I understood exactly what why these passages and digressions were there, and when I soaked up the last word of the last page, I experienced a moment of clarity about the narrator and his trajectory that startled me. This review may sound fairly vague, but I'd hate to get more specific about the "message" of this book and color your own interpretation or ruin your own experience reading it. I am guessing that this is the kind of book that will mean different things to different people, and resonate with their own life experiences in different ways. I recommend it to all, especially those who feel they can adapt to a somewhat experimental narrative form. I also wonder if this book will resonate more with men than women, but obviously I can't say...

Wayne Fencer is an endearing character. He doesnt have his life together but he isnt afraid of taking a journey in his quest for meaning...one of my favorite quotes:" maybe the answer is that there is no answer"...this book is as good as it gets.

Listi had me from before page 1 as I perused a few pages of quotes: a brief preview into his sense of humor and intricately woven themes of the human condition. I knew I was in for a unique ride. Attention.Deficit.Disorder is a delightful, provocative, self-depricating, humorous and intelligent journey into a world of loss, longing, love and redemption. I read it in three days and was more than a little depressed it was over too quickly. I'm eagerly awaiting his next masterpiece!

I would highly recommend this novel. Listi's style is captivating, giving Wayne Fencer's world a quality that invokes the reader to enter fully, creating an emotional investment in the character and his trials and tribulations. However trite, the phrase "I couldn't put it down" fits "Attention Deficit Disorder" to a T. Most of all, I found this book to be honest and true, lending meaningful insight into human nature. "A.D.D." is something that I believe most people can relate to on at least some level. Listi's provocative use of language is flawless, his sense of humor intelligent and inviting, and his observation of the human condition a wonderful contribution to the literary world.

I picked up A.D.D. just before Christmas. During this time, it traversed many landscapes in hand, in purse, in a shoulder-slung messenger bag, side-by-side with Franny & Zooey, Cure for the Common Life, and A Walk in the Woods. It was never far from me. It napped with me on the sofa after work. Can you sense the captivation? Strangely, a close interweaving of topics arose between all four books--loss, humor, escapism, contemplation, backpacking (yes, really), morality, seeking of self, singular encounters, realizations--united in Listi's. Coincidence? I'd prefer to think it's a sign of 'busy, busy, busy' as Vonnegut writes in Cat's Cradle. I am sincerely impressed with Listi's work. His is a fresh, unique voice. Nearing my final pages, I did not want the story to end. It's a deceptively easy book to read, entirely engaging, moving from story to quote, insight to statistic, definition to movie synopsis with the dexterity and ease of a superior, seasoned storyteller. Listi's love of knowledge--especially the odd fact--and his connectivity to emotion and humor radiate throughout main character, Wayne Fencer's journey of self. Indubitably, A.D.D. will be a real smasher. It comes highly recommended by this reader. Read on...