The Pursuit of Other Interests

Jim Kokoris never misses. Having read his previous two books I was delighted to find he has done it again. The Pursuit of Other Interests holds your interest and though the book deals with troubled life situations it still manages to make you laugh out loud. I read about fifty or more books a year and I consider a book that I remember long after reading it as one of the best. I still recall Teddy and Theo Pappas from Kokoris' The Rich Part of Life. Hope it won't be too long before Jim Kokoris next book.

Charlie Baker -- the CEO of a large Chicago ad agency and the creator of an infamous airline T.V. commercial starring Paula Abdul and a talking rodent -- is caught sleeping on the job...literally. And at the start of this marvelous, well-written and timely novel, the man who spent most of his adult life in airports or presentations suddenly finds himself unceremoniously dumped on the street. Jim Korkoris is a master at creating characters that could walk off the pages and settle into your home. He's done it again here. A lot of the action takes place in an outplacement firm, where Charlie connects with a socially-awkward coach named Ned, an older ex-football player player Bradley who has been "on the street" for years, a smirking ex-ad guy Walter, and the attractive and highly professional Karen. Each of them echoes Walter's sentiments: "I want to get up in the morning and have someplace to go. I want to feel like I'm doing something. An at the end of the day, I want go come home tired. I want to matter." The rest of the action is centered around Charlie's home life. He has been so busy making a living that he's forgotten how to make a life; as a result, he is estranged from his wife and longtime love, Donna, and alienated from his monosyllabic son, Kyle. He begins to learn that while it's okay to love a job, it's nice to love something that can love you back. I loved this novel. Mr. Korkoris exhibits a healthy sense of humor -- Charlie is a hypochondriac whose idea of company morale is to issue a "fat memo" (Project Shape Up) to encourage everyone to slim down, leading to mass internal rebellion. Yet at the same time, the novel is very poignant; he offers a studied and obviously well-researched look into the lives of the white-collar unemployed who stand to lose not only their health benefits and homes, but also their sense of stature and self-worth. While I suspect there will be some who will wonder why Mr. Korkoris did not focus on the many worthy factory workers and blue-collar people who are out of work, that is not the book he chose to write; the book he DID write is still very important in today's times. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who works, has worked, wants to work, or is looking to see what REALLY works in a contented life.

A surreal human interests writing of the times we live in by James Kokoris, "Pursuit" brings comic relief to realities now occurring in the roller coaster lives of many overachieving white-collar professionals often oblivious to their own career ascents, and where the novel picks up, the flameout, whether circumstantial or self-inflicted. Through his trademark outsized, outrageous characters and family situations which many in the growing number of the unemployed and their social circles will recognize, Kokoris delivers some of the funniest dark humor and hilarity that would likely impress the father of Office comedy, Ricky Gervais. Moving as well, Kokoris reveals a hidden moral compass in the book's lost soul as he seeks his own redemption and lessons to takeaway from these career challenges that readers will feel, too. Great wit and message whether you are employed, unemployed or know someone who is!

This is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with work-life balance...funny...poignant...will make you laugh and squirm a little...if you have worked in the corporate world, this will resonate big-time...a highly entertaining read from a very talented writer

THE PURSUIT OF OTHER INTERESTS is a masterpiece. You should get this book. I don't care who you are. Just put it in the shopping cart now and check out. End of story. Look. You are going to LAUGH OUT LOUD when you read this book. Looking for a Christmas present? This book is perfect: for you, for your spouse, your child, your annoying coworker, your brother the unemployed recession victim. Kokoris is a literary Brett Favre (without the interceptions or perennial retirement); his characters' dialogue and thought processes are as accurate as The Gunslinger's slant pass; the plot more entertaining and enjoyable than watching the future Hall-of-Famer on Monday Night. Remember how you said "Oh My God!" and laughed out loud watching the incredible Favre? Yeah. Just like that. Only in a book. Yes, it is that good. Plot: A Chicago Corporate Titan is transformed into just another out-of-work American. The family he's neglected for years suddenly has a father/husband. It's humorous, enchanting, and touching. What better gift to give during a recession! Titletown Book Club