Rocket Man

Rocket Man inspired me to think about the choices I have made in my own life. As Dale tries to understand how he landed where he landed, he faces the forces of blame (ie its the house, the community, the job, these people) as the source of anxst, and instead decides to battle the demons of his own making. Through colorful characters and humorous dialogue, Dale begins to take responsibility for his life, understanding his weaknesses, and reflecting about what it means to be a better parent, husband, son and human being. Hazelgrove explores the question of how to be one's own person, in the face of consumerism and a society that continually wants more and pressures us to be of one mind, intead of individuals. The question of how to stand firm against the "group think" and still have the life one wants, is asked and answered. I thought Rocket Man was a delightful, thought provoking ride that looks at human relationships and the difficult choices in life.

Rocket Man resonated with me and I think will do so with a wide audience. Some of the hilarious scenes and ancillary characters are necessarily hyberbolic but the main characters are real. Their relationships and trials happen to good people all over, no matter your location or persuasion. Resolution can be found and Rocket Man touches down in the right place.

This book is very relative to the sign of the times. Once I picked it up, it was hard to set down. The author seems to have hit the economic and social strives right on the head. Dale Hammer, his family life, his desire to "fit in the fabric of the neighborhood", is all very pertinent to what is happening today. I believe anybody can relate. This is Mr. Hazelgrove's fourth novel. I recommend that you read the previous three books. As another reviewer wrote, the author sequesters himself in the attic of some author that seems to have been famous. Perhaps the dust and cobwebs have rubbed off on Mr. Hazelgrove. Nonetheless, read the other books and get a better insight to the brilliant writing that this author possesses. I can't wait for the fifth and sixth books! Keep up the good work, Mr. Hazelgrove!

This book was one of the funniest and creative looks at suburban life while experiencing a mid-life crisis that I have ever read. The main character, Dale Hammer, is pathetic in a sympathetic and lovable way. He can't seem to do anything right and is on the verge of losing everything that has meaning in his life. Yet, as you read, you begin asking the same question that Dale is asking: "What is important in this life? What impact will it make on the world and even the cosmos?" I highly recommend this book especially if you want a fast-paced and riveting story to read. I loved it!

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation...and in ROCKET MAN Hazelgrove manages to capture the transcendent, heart-wrenching and soul-rending quality of a man leading just this kind of life, a life that will be familiar to many entering or moving through mid-life (I count myself among them). Great writers write what they know, and the life of Dale Hammer, ROCKET MAN's conflicted protagonist, is achingly real. It is clear to the reader that Hazelgrove has gone for broke here, placing all of his emotional cards on the table for all to see, Hammer's messy, messy life a proxy for all those who look back over the landscape of their lives and see every wrong turn, every slip of the foot, every mistake, in clear relief -- yet are unable to change their course or trajectory for knowing. We all want and hope that occasionally we'll make the RIGHT decisions and go the RIGHT direction and say the RIGHT thing at the RIGHT time...all while being able to hold onto at least a little of the spirit and essence of what it was to be young and indestructible. And in that lies the key to what makes this book so relevant and engaging to the "mass of men" - and women -- and a potential best-seller.