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Monday, May 9, 2011

Book Review - Lost on Treasure Island

About the Book
What do you get when you plop a moody Midwesterner in Manhattan, the land of the quick and the mean, then grant him a dream job and visions of true love? One disaster after another…

In Lost on Treasure Island: A Memoir of Longing, Love, and Lousy Choices in New York City, Steve Friedman recounts with utter honesty and mordant clarity those fateful years, starting with his first job at GQ, including his awkward efforts to impress his terrifying boss and find his future wife. Friedman’s misadventures include real and imagined love affairs, catastrophic encounters at work and play, and desperate attempts to find authenticity – nearly all of which, in the end, fail miserably.

Infinite volumes have been written by and about single girls in New York City feeling out of place, longing for love, and crying themselves to sleep. Friedman is the rare male who shares his ambitious and so often thwarted dreams of companionship and purpose. His search for Mrs. Friedman takes him from  ice cream binges to Internet dating, from one-night-stands to what he knows is true love… but discovers is true hell.

Friedman’s frantic struggle to find meaning in a city that is saturated with fakers and phonies is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but suffused with bittersweet knowledge. As first impressions shatter and hearts – especially his – melt, Friedman matures into an insightful and chastened man, and in the end provides profound wisdom that promises better things to come.

In the tradition of Bright Lights, Big City and The Devil Wears Prada, Lost on Treasure Island is a bracing rendition of the perils of growing up and being thrown into the real world. With sharp humor and startling candor, Friedman crafts an unforgettable portrait of the best of times and the worst of times. For anyone who has confronted the endless opportunities of the big apple, only to discover how hard it is to succeed in this – or any – big city, this boisterous memoir will prove irresistible!

About the Author:
Steve Friedman, writer-at-large for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Backpacker magazines, is the author of four previous books, including The Agony of Victory and Driving Lessons: A Father, a Son, and the Healing Power of Golf. His work has appeared in Esquire, GQ, Outside, and the New York Times, and in a number of anthologies, among them The Best American Travel Writing and The Best American Sports Writing. He lives in New York City. For more information, please visit www.stevefriedman.com

My Take on the Book
I have only visited New York City twice in my life, but in those times I could definitely see and understand the wonderful sights, sounds and experiences that are truly New York!  The author has created a great world for all of his readers and characters that are fun loving and memorable.

The author has done a wonderful job at capturing the dreams of his characters and you can see yourself in the main character thinking about the dreams that you have for yourself and what you can do to make your own dreams a reality.
You also are brought through the highs and lows of the main character's life. You hurt when the main characters hurt and you celebrate in their successes. This was a fun novel and one that you will completely be drawn into from the beginning to the end of the novel!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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