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"FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB is good reading any night (or day) of the week*
"I didn't know what to expect with THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB by Jacob Nelson Lurie, but whatever I could have thought it was about doesn't even begin to describe how good it is. There are characters with life, with emotions and the faults that all of us can relate to in some form. If you are looking for a great co-ed book that will satisfy both sexes, you have to get your own copy and give it a chance.
Yes, men DO read---and some of us can even write (and do so well). Jacob is living proof of that." (C.A. Webb "Conversations Book Club", 04/28/10)
*A Journey of Self-Descovery* (Vine Voice)
"When Davis Robertson begins the final countdown to his wedding day, his mind catapults him backwards and forwards as he contemplates this life-changing moment. There is no doubt that he loves Pamela, the woman he met in college, who is now an attorney. But can he give up on the idea of other women in his life? Can he totally commit to one woman?
Davis has certainly had his on-again, off-again relationships over the years, and some of them have been during his supposedly committed relationship with Pamela.
Over the years, his posse of guy friends, who are the sum total of what makes up The Friday Night Club, A Novel, have been there through everything--the drunken states, the highs, and everything in between--and they're here now to support him. And possibly throw a great bachelor party.
So what will Davis do? As we watch him through the push/pull process leading up to the final moments, it could seemingly go either way. But in the end, he must be true to himself.
It's the journey toward self-discovery that sets The Friday Night Club, A Novel apart from other tales of guys on the make, or guys afraid to commit. As a reader, I could empathize with Davis's struggles, even when I wanted to knock him upside the head. These characters are realistic and remind me of people (okay, make that guys!) that I've known." (Laurel-Rain Snow "Rain" "Author of 'Web of Tyranny'", 04/26/10)
*ENDEARING, DELIGHTFUL, and HILARIOUS!*
"Jacob Nelson Lurie takes the reader on one of the funniest thrill rides through the past, present, and future of Davis Robertson. A young man who is supposed to be preparing for the biggest step in his life, before walking down the aisle to make a lifetime commitment is haunted by the memories of his past. He battles with his desire of a beautiful dream-come-true with all the sentiments of peace and love that flow from Heaven to the outrageous actions and adventures he spent with Hell's Angels, better known as his close friends. As the author opens up the door to a ride you will never forget, the reader becomes addicted immediately to unique characters, laugh-out-loud fun, and touching moments. Each character will remind you of someone you once knew as they come to life,with a personality we will always remember. These characters were created through brutal truth as the author paints each one with flaws in the no-perfection department, while the reader has the advantage to form an opinion, and to be able to compare them to friends they have. What crucial decision does Davis make, and does his lifestyle change, for better or worse? What happened in Vegas, and do the drunken parties end? Is Davis facing the same torment that many go through in modern day relationships? I highly recommend this novel to all contemporary fiction lovers, who enjoy creativity, entertainment, and humor. Jacob Nelson Lurie penned a compelling story that's appealing to all readers, with brilliant dialogue in a fast moving, witty journey. The fearless author tells-it-like-it-is, through a refreshing writing style, providing colorful insight through the antics of his close friends. Does the wild side of college life continue, along with the parties and alcohol, or do the hangovers become history? How long will Davis worry about promiscuity and unfaithfulness, before walking down the altar? Do many men also go through a living hell, while searching for their true love? How wild was the bachelor party, and who was known for pranks, and fights? The pages are covered in action, the story is impressive, and the ending is amazing. The clever author included everything it takes to be a success on the movie screen. "THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB, A NOVEL" contains incredible word play as in MY COUSIN VINNY, has as much irresistible fun as MEET THE FOCKERS, and is as funny as FOOLS RUSH IN." (Geraldine Ahearn "Author Geri Ahearn, 04/22/10)
*Bridget's Review*
"There are two different paths staring Davis in the face. One is to marry his fiance, whom is not in love with or go after the woman of his dreams. Instead of looking forward to the big day, Davis is stuck in a never-ending cycle of events that will dramatically change his life. Who knew that so much could happen in just four days?
I loved it! Friday Night Club is unlike any book I have ever read because it has a little bit of everything, romance, drama, suspense, etc. It's like "Sex and the City" except instead of girls it's guys." (bridget3420 "Bridget Hopper", 04/15/10)
*Chick lit with a twist!* (Vine Voice)
"Davis Robertson is about to marry wonderful, beautiful, sexy, intelligent Pamela. She is everything a young man could hope for in a wife, and he's decided that it's time. It's time for him to leave behind the wild times of his youth, to set aside childish things - the all-night parties, strippers, immature guy friends and a little somethin' on the side with the wild girl from his college days. He's ready for the ring. He's ready for a life of until death us do part.
Well...maybe.
Unfortunately for Davis, the stars seem to conspire against him making it to the altar. When his friends (and that word may not always fit just right for all of these men) pull together to throw Davis a bachelor party, all hell breaks loose. The past has a way of rearing its ugly head, and these men have quite the past. Much alcohol is consumed and many old haunts are dragged out for discussion/fighting. It turns out that Davis hasn't laid to rest a lot of the things he thought he could leave in the past. Bitter feelings, betrayals...and angry strippers, homicidal teenage hookers, cowardly Vegas parking lot attendants, lonely junkyard dogs, Scientologist kidnappers, sexy sisters, crazed roommates...these are just some of the things Davis remembers while contemplating his past and trying to figure out how to go forward into his future. Can he come to terms with his old way of life and accept a new future, or will he continue down the same path?
In the interest of fair disclosure, I have to say that I read this book after the author contacted me to see if I would be interested in doing a review. There's always pressure involved in that because while I've been fortunate to read quite a few good books by authors seeking reviews, I've also read some real bombs as well. How do you tell someone nice enough to send you a copy of his/her book that the book is crap?
I am SO relieved and happy to report that The Friday Night Club is...quite good! I started reading this late on a lazy Saturday afternoon, and finished it all in one sitting. The story is so compelling and the characters are so interesting that I had to read the entire book in one go. I actually read this with a running film reel going on in my mind - who would I cast in Davis' role? Who would play Peter?
Lurie's novel is set in the present with numerous flashbacks to various times in Davis' past. I actually think that this is one of the best books I've read where this technique works and works well. I also love the first-person narration, and Davis' voice rings true in this story. He may get inside his own head just a bit too much, and I do admit that a few passages had me saying, "I don't think guys talk like that," but it all works.
What surprised me? This is Chick Lit, yes it is. Sure, all the primary characters are dudes, and because of this, there is foul language, lots of talk about booze and women, and drinking and women, and sex and women, and breasts and sex and women, but this is still Chick Lit as written from the male point of view and without the whiney "please let me find a man so I can be saved from myself" characters so prevalent in "women's fiction." It's also a buddy story without the annoying fart jokes and juvenile antics that weigh so heavily in so many recent comedies. It's a story of 20-somethings coming into adulthood. It's a sweet story of a guy who loves a girl and loved another girl...and who is trying to not be a jerk.
I've recommended this book to a few of my book loving friends. It's a book that I don't mind recommending, and I look forward to hearing what other people think about it." (mellion108, 04/10/10)
*Watch this author - NYT fiction bestsellers are in his future*
"Friday Night Club (FNC) by Jacob Nelson Lurie is what contemporary fiction should be: it tells a great story with unforgettable characters and excellent writing. You can read FNC on a plane or a train for pure entertainment, or take it slower and catch the meaningful layers between the lines.
Mr. Lurie's mainstream readability, turn-on-a-dime plot surprises, and overall smarts in Friday Night Club remind me of Grisham but for contemporary general fiction -- and Lurie adds the bonuses of creative ingenuity, addictive pacing and writing that is just sooo good. It doesn't hurt that he keeps you laughing all the way. Note: authentic dialogue and situations = FNC is for readers 18 & over.
The narrative plays with (actually rollicks with) time and memory in a way that is unique, even visionary, yet somehow the time shifts make perfect sense so the reader's always right there with the narrator, Davis Robertson, who's about to get married (literally: Pamela is walking toward him down the aisle) but isn't convinced it's the right move.
Regarding the diverse cast of characters -- we know these people -- they may even be us or our sons and daughters. FNC is, in part, the tales and history of a group of guys and their friendships from college to late 20s, with the dead-on language and behavior that could only come from a writer in the know. And though we as readers may not have any A-list actors like Peter Carter in our circles of friends, we all know and love-hate someone with that cachet.
These characters actually learn something, grow and change by the end, yet stay true to themselves -- another quality that elevates Friday Night Club into a story that stays with you.
I'm on the Jacob Nelson Lurie train -- if you get on, you'll have an unforgettable ride." (Nicole Hunter "Peace Through Fiction", 04/06/10)
*It's amazing how years can be erased in moments...*
"The Friday Night Club" by Jacob Lurie is a true-to-life depiction of just what goes on in those male minds of the post-pubescent age. To mimic the novel's plentiful (and enjoyable) usage of pop culture references, it's as if we had a bird's-eye view into the every-day lives of the guys from "The Hangover". You could even throw in some of Bret Easton Ellis' "The Rules of Attraction" and Stephen King's "Stand by Me" with a dash of "The Girl Next Door" for good measure.
Is this novel one can relate to, you ask? Well, let's put it this way, I had to research the author as I was reading this to make sure it wasn't my ex trying to trick me into reading his manuscript; that's how many similarities I could find in this story with regard to my own life experiences. If that doesn't tell you the characters are believable, nothing does.
The first paragraph will undoubtedly suck you in. What follows in the pages to come is, (don't say I didn't warn the faintest of you), a truckload of debauchery, foul language, drinking, partying, sex and pretty much any other event you can attribute to frat boy behavior. If you're a fan of Chuck Palahniuk, Bret Easton Ellis or buddy films, then this is a book you should definitely consider reading. However, there is a sweeter underlying current in that you also learn about the women who broke their hearts (and whose hearts they broke), and the life events that helped shape them into the men you will meet at the end of the novel.
Davis, the narrator, tells a tale that follows four friends, including himself; Peter, a celebrity both in context and in his own right but with a lesser-known softer side; Jonesy, the first to mature in the group since he has been married the longest and strongest; and Divan, the lesser explored side character, who all go through enough life-changing, (and at times alcohol-induced and sexually charged), events to deem themselves "brothers" and make our lives seem quite boring by comparison.
Most important to note about Davis (and detrimental to his story) are the women in his life. Pam is the woman Davis is about to marry. Davis is trying to decide throughout the course of the novel if he is making a huge mistake or if she truly is the woman to beat, if he wants to leave his bachelor lifestyle in favor of a familial one. In his decision making, we are taken back to past events where we learn about many (many) women but most important to note are Heather, the "one who got away" who haunts Davis' days, Kathy, the innocent with a broken heart, thanks in no small part to Davis and Hillary, Heather's sister with whom Davis had a lengthy sexual courtship and with whom Davis assumes no ties, although Hillary may have other plans.
One of the most poignant events in my opinion, and one that I could personally relate to, was how at first, Davis explains how he has to bury his emotions under physical gratification, (i.e. drinking and having sex with multiple women just for the thrill and pleasure of it all), but when he is about to actually make love to someone who reveals she is a virgin, he freaks out, realizing just how real everything can be and ever was. Little does he realize until much later, that by denying her he breaks her just as badly as he could have if he had made love to her in the first place, and he notices this eventually when he has a discussion with her months later and sees that some of her innocence that he loved so much about her has been lost, and he now realizes it was pretty much his fault.
Another point I found worthy of mention was when Davis was describing how you never really care enough to get to know your parents until it's too late and then it's impossible. And you only want to know more about them because you feel guilty for never having cared to learn in the first place. But while they were healthy, you could honestly have cared less. Having lost my mom at 20 years old, I can agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly.
Despite the main characters being detestable to most women with a sense of self worth, we can actually muster up a bit of sympathy for them by the end of the novel. These men are just trying to get through their lives without screwing things up any worse than they already have. And despite me personally being bitter towards that sort of lifestyle from paths former flames have taken, I couldn't stop turning the page once I hit page 100.
Let me tell you some of the things I loved about this novel. First, and foremost, there are none of the superfluous "he said, she said" endings following every line of quoted text. Second, the scene segways are excellent. In other words, this reads more like a screenplay instead of a novel with regard to whether we are in the past or the present, in Vegas or at a Bachelor party. This is reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk's work in the sense that the writing is more enjoyable because it doesn't follow a typical structure you're akin to seeing in most other books. Another thing I enjoyed was how the characters would bicker and banter. Lurie did a great job of keeping it climaxing steadily until you find yourself hoping someone punches someone or kisses someone or something just happens already! The tension keeps you turning pages, trying to get to the next event as fast as you can. The pop culture references are plentiful and enjoyably woven in. You might have to give some thought to "Randy Door" at first, but it'll click eventually.
I can agree with how other women who have read this novel claim to understand the male brain a little better afterwards. Every woman can pick out an example from her own life that could match one of these relationships and can now understand a bit better where the immaturity, the cold demeanor and the distance were coming from. It's a lot to easier to swallow the "it's not you, it's me" excuse after reading about these men, and you can now comprehend what was going through their minds as they shoved you out the door or rejected you because you were a virgin.
Lurie has a flair for the comical in his style of writing, which can at times come off as a bit self-indulgent and at others, you can find yourself wondering how that would fare if crafted into a film, such as the stripper fight. It did seem to lumber quite a bit on the unbelievable side, but it was still humorous nonetheless to imagine. Or the Tylenol incident--I found this scene to be a bit boring on the page but in a film done justice, that could probably be pretty hysterical.
On the whole, I think this is a novel a woman would enjoy if they have experienced a similar situation where they just couldn't make sense of the man they love, (or used to love). And a man would enjoy this novel because it might express something he has been trying to express for years and couldn't put into words. Or, at the very least, he will remember fondly the years he spent with his friends, or that one great party (or multiple parties), or the one girl he let slip away, or the one of which he's glad he wrestled free. Who knows, maybe it'll help him get to know himself well enough that he might man up like some of the characters in this book and make a better outcome of the life he has led up to this point.
And finally, if for no other reason, this can be picked up off the book store shelf as an entertaining and humorous work of fiction...based on truth...but mostly fiction...or truth? How about you give it a read and decide for yourself?" (K.T. May "Kailyn", 04/02/10)
*Coming of age on a Friday night!*
"The Friday Night Club is a coming of age story. I really enjoyed this book and how the main character struggles to find himself and what he really wants. The story moves back and forth from the past to the present showing relationships the main character has moved through, and how he and his friends have handled them. With an internal monologue we see what goes through Davis' head three days before his wedding. Does he really love his fiancée Pamela, and is he really ready for marriage? Or should he fall back into the arms of several other women, Hillary, Heather, or even Kathy?
A very good story that keeps you wondering right up until the end whether or not Davis will actually go through with his wedding. From a bachelor party full of naked strippers, to a "Heaven and Hell" party from his college days, Davis recounts struggles he and his friends have went through. A very good read, with a somewhat romantic ending. I would recommend this book for both people who love a good, modern day social adventure, or even people who like a good romance. This would actually make a very interesting movie!" (Robert, 03/30/10)
*Reality Bites ... Hard!*
"Hilarious. Gritty. Real. In three words, that's how I would describe The Friday Night Club. Want to know how a group of guys act, think, emote, and respond at a college buddies reunion? Read this book. Tender and touching, idiotic and one-track-minded, Davis Robertson is just a regular guy faced with the proverbial wedding-day jitters. I was hooked from page one by the author's style as he weaves in and out of Davis Robertson's befuddled memory bank, flooded by memories ranging from the emotional to the (mainly) erotic. Lots of sex, alcohol, and language pepper the various antics and episodes that make Davis such a real character. You gotta love this guy! Perpetually confused about women, of course he loves his fiancee Pamela, but is there another option? Should he settle for suburbia or la vida loca? Anyone who ever went to college will feel a pang of perhaps ... nostalgia for those heady days of wine (or anything vaguely alcoholic), women, and more of the aforementioned. The Friday Night Club is a riveting read by an exciting and interesting author. While reading it, I kept thinking, "This would make a great movie." I hope to see it on screen soon." (Fiona Ingram, Author of "The Secrets of the Sacred Scarab", 03/29/10)
*sleazy American Wooster*
"Line after line, as funny as Wodehouse. Lurie's Davis Robertson is the sleazy American Wooster we've all been waiting for." (John Reed, Author of 'The Whole' 'A Still Small Voice' 'Snowball's Chance,' 03/29/10)
*We are what we are*
"If you're looking for a book that shows how superficial we men are, The Friday Night Club by Jacob Nelson is a good place to start. This is a story about sex, promiscuity and unfaithfulness, and yes, the characters are shallow. But the book isn't. Light and witty though the presentation may seem, this novel is a deep, introspective look at what distinguishes most of us guys from most of you women.
Ladies, we may give lip service to what you want to hear, but put any of us in a wild party or some out-of-town convention locale away from you and we'll forget who you are. When confronted by the least bit of temptation, we're simply not capable of hanging onto whatever emotional bond you think we've established. Davis Robertson, the hero of this story, gradually comes to terms with what a low-life, whoring, unreliable boyfriend/fiancé he's been for most of his adult life, and his character growth is commendable. But I'm sure the sequel will show some backslide. We are what we are.
Some of the scenes in this novel could have used a bit more description to help me find my bearings and get grounded. But that's a small price to pay. The Friday Night Club is an excellent character study and satire of the battle between the sexes." (Josepth M. Fraser, 03/28/10)
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