Lucky Man

A vivid story about when boys become men and move on. I find myself frequently thinking about some of the issues this book brings to mind, such as the doom life can hit a person with. This book does a great job showing how people try to escape facing some of the responsibility of doing what is right or expected of human beings in a visceral way. I also enjoyed the way Ben Tanzer captures the essence of time, taste, smell, drugs and thoughts using images of pop culture with a college frat atmosphere. Especially, interesting was the different perspectives of the characters told in first person.

Anyone who takes the time to read 'Lucky Man' will consider themselves a 'Lucky Reader' to have found this new author. Mr. Tanzer has a gift for painting story, dialog and characters...but instead of using a brush, he paints with words. If you value original thought, please buy this book. I did, and honestly...I couln't put it down. I am one 'lucky man' to have found such an enjoyable story.

"Lucky Man", Ben Tanzer's first novel, is about four friends from their last days in high school to after college. Each of the four boys gives his first account narrative as their lives unfold through adolescence to adulthood. Each family has varying degrees of dysfunctional behavior; but commonly, all four lack a healthy relationship with their father. Gabe, somewhat the leader, has a father he can't connect with. Jake, the rebel, is bullied by his father. Sammy's father can't seem to live at home and rents a place by himself. Louis's dad tries to connect, but outside of Jesus, he can't seem to hold a conversation. This coming of age story will touch your heart with laughter and tears. Ben Tanzer is a magnificent writer with a clear understanding of what teenagers face growing up.

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. There's always something new, funny and adventurous happening. I laughed a lot. And I was also taken off guard a few times by unexpected moments of edgy poignancy. I loved this funny-edgy duality which Mr. Tanzer weaves throughout the story. He opens the heart with laughter, then touches it with truths and subtleties of the human experience. The ending has a wonderfully unique twist to it as well, where Mr. Tanzer shows how interconnected the characters lives really are. This first novel clearly shows how talented Mr. Tanzer is. I hope he writes more! Great read!

I saw Mr. Tanzer at a reading in Chapel Hill, NC and picked up a copy of Lucky Man. I'm so glad I did! Once you get into the style of writing and the changing perspectives from one chapter to the next, you'll enjoy this fast-paced story of what it's like to be young and lost and on the brink of "growing up." Tanzer's unique structure and writing style evokes the moodiness of adolescence that just about anyone can relate to. As his characters deal with heavy drug use, violence, issues of sexual identity, sex in general, etc, you'll find yourself remembering your own clumsy "coming of age" moments. Great book!