*A Great Novel*
(M. Sierks, August 30, 2010)

"I'm sitting on a puddle jumper, reading the Friday Night Club, flying to the middle of nowhere surrounded by business men. I kept have bursts of laughter so loud everyone turned around to see who the crazy girl was!! Love the book especially the characters. You feel as though you went through all the crazy life adventures with them... A must read."

*A Post-College Party Boy Wrassles with Maturity*

"Full disclosure: I was contacted by Mr. Lurie, who apparently found me as one of the more higher-ranked Amazon.com reviewers. He offered to send his book and I accepted, promising a fair and honest review in return.

First off, as I've said of others: good on ya, Mister Lurie, for writing and publishing your book. You've got my respect and no small amount of envy. Someday I'll get around to doing the same.

Synopsis: Davis Robertson, a 28-year-old who still equates youth with irreverence, irresponsibility, casual sex and binge drinking, is about to get married. The only problem is there are three others, each desirable and willing. Through a series of pre-wedding adventures and flashbacks, Davis makes a number of adult decisions.

More than anything, this is an homage to the glory of being young, free, irresponsible and in college: "...College was the best four years of my life because of the random, insane, crazy, [f----d-up], egomaniacal, boring, insecure, sober, suicidal, higher-than-a-kite people I met, befriended, ran with, partied with, swapped spit with, threw up with...The Friday Night Club...was our sanctuary...our church."

This is a tale of a guy, still living in the fading glow of how totally awesomely rawkin' college was for him and his buds, how they partied and whooped it up, got it on and got down, and let it all hang out. As such he's just a Guy, not really yet a Man, who finds himself unwillingly at the precipice of true Adulthood, completely unprepared mentally and emotionally for marriage and the responsibility and honesty it requires. It's time to leave college behind, to separate from friends, to make enduring adult choices, which requires painful changes in relationships and the way he lives. His friends run the spectrum from complete denial to adjusted family man, and Davis has to choose which one he'll be. It comes down to whether he'll live in the moment, letting things happen and experiencing everything as adventure, or if he'll invest in the future, surrendering to planning, anticipation, and more than anything, restraint and predictability.

The characters are thoroughly believable. They are original, but at the same time familiar enough to be accessible. Despite this story being of, about and told entirely by Davis, the fascinating character of mega-movie star Peter Carter--Lurie needs to write a novel about this guy--dominates almost all of the scenes he's in. His is the most complex and interesting character in the book.

In this story, drinking not only takes the edge off, but seems to cure everything. It's the full range from cold beers to swigging Jack out the bottle, but it always seems to make everything better. My experience, and I lived this existence--our group was called "No Wednesdays"--was that drinking just postponed the unpleasant, and never solved a single problem, large or small; it usually made things worse.

This is a guy book, if anything for the pop-culture references throughout. It's not nearly as challenging as the music lyric quotations in Penn Jillette's thoroughly enjoyable Sock, but there are enough oblique references to keep you hopping. You get, among others: Cool Hand Luke, Jennifer Garner, Sally Struthers, Father Sarducci, Steve McQueen, Demi More, Kaiser Soze, Rob Lowe, Meg Ryan, Debbie Harry, Weird Science, Oprah, The Simpsons (lots), Clash of the Titans (the old one), GI Joe, Star Wars (multiple), Liz Hurley, Sela Ward, NYPD Blue, Steven Spielberg, Kurt Russell, John Carpenter, Dustin Hoffman, Cliff Clavin, Steven Hawking, Brad Pitt, James T. Kirk, Pete Townsend, Back to the Future, Meat Loaf, Tom Hanks, Stripes, Tawny Kitaen, Ray Bradbury, Dante, Touched by an Angel ("crapfest"), The Muppets, Cerberus, Ghostbusters, Sin City, Blade Runner, Karen Cisco, Stephen King, Bob Barker, Abba, numerous rock bands, Tom Cruise, George Romero, Tyler Durden, Jon Cryer, Freddy Kruger, L. Ron Hubbard, the classic "Aliens" Bill Paxton "game over" ref, and then some.

As for the back cover, comparing this novel to Stand By Me is a stretch, as coming-of-age stories to me usually don't center on someone who is closing on 30. Davis is certainly learning, in a very short time, a lot about himself and deciding who/what to become, but it's not quite the same as boys learning painful truths about identity and death.

Additionally, I took the back cover comparison of the book's dialog with Elmore Leonard's to be a mighty big statement. I mean, I've read most of his work, and he's got the most normal, spot-on dialog there is. Sadly, this book doesn't get there. Some of the repartee, while witty and fast-paced, is too tight for real people to be saying. Additionally, there are soliloquies that are highly improbable for most folks to construct and deliver extemporaneously, with overly complex construction and unrealistically correct grammar. These speeches are important for character development and story advancement, sure, but aren't plausible dialog. I mean, something like describing a potential mate as "...lustful and oh so innocently perfect that I knew I wasn't the person who should taste the fire, lest I extinguish it..." is nicely constructed, lyrical and images nicely, but the guys in this book just don't think in this manner, let alone speak such words.

The book is about a short period of intense action and introspection, but it just seemed to me there were a lot of points where things were said that "shattered" someone's soul, or someone felt a "pain that cuts through the layers and betrays the secrets of your soul." Characters stare into each other's souls, a lot, a bit too often, it seems.

Bottom line: if you still think being an undergrad was the greatest part of your life, then you will thoroughly dig this book. If you're a guy, still unmarried, still partying a lot and playing the field, you'll probably dig this book. If you're not in this demographic but can remember it well enough, you'll understand the story, although many characters' immaturity may be a turn-off."

*Hmmm, wondering how it all turned out*
(Tracie - Hand & Stone, July 30, 2010)

"Not ended how I thought it would end. An interesting perspective into the male mind. Funny and enjoyable."

*Sounds Familiar*
(Roger Andout, July 28, 2010)

"Living in Las Vegas, the bachelor party capital of the world, all this stuff which the author, Jake Lurie concocts for this book, sounds all too familiar. That's neither good nor bad, but it just goes to show how frequently life imitates art. In this case, the main character of the book is having second thoughts about getting married, while trying to avoid total disaster at his bachelor party. As you'll discover, that's not so easy. A very entertaining read, with very real situations, especially if you're a local Las Vegas resident with lots of friends on the verge of matrimony!"

*I dare you to read this book*
(Skully, July 21, 2010)

"I read this book in its entirety and thought to myself.... "Self were you that big of a jerk at that age?" For men this is a book of laughs and introspection. For the ladies this is a rare honest peek into a man's mind. Being from Colorado I appreciated the geographical references and could be used as a tourist guide of sorts for those who want to see life as a local. I knew almost every place the author mentioned. The only reason I couldn't give this a 5 star review is that the book was so honest that it made me feel uncomfortable at times and it made me admit that yes I was often that big of a jerk at that age. Read it if you dare ask yourself those kind of questions."

*An ageless tale of men being men, and the women who love them regardless*
(Doonzer, July 17, 2010)

"I greatly enjoyed this novel. The internal dialogue of Davis is one I have heard from myself many a time, without perhaps the well-crafted turns of phrase. The author shares rich scenes with us that are rife with resonant memories of being a twenty something, making suspect choices that have long reaching consequences. It was also very refreshing to read something that isn't set in NYC. . .

There are several other reviews that make comparisons to "The Hangover" which is fair, but for me, I would say that it shares more elements from Swingers and Singles. During a scene in "Singles" Matt Dillon's character Cliff asks "Where are the anthems of our youth?" This is an anthem of mine, captured in a literal sense.

I look forward to other works from this promising author."

*Virtue Or Vice - How Do You Choose...?*
(Apex Reviews, July 15, 2010)

"Youth has been good to Davis Robertson: as proud members of The Friday Night Club, he and his college buddies got together at the end of every week and partied hard to celebrate their survival through another round of tests, papers, and the other challenges of university life. On top of that, Davis has enjoyed more than his fair share of "fleshly indulgences," including everything from strippers to extended acid trips. So, as he reminisces while watching his fiancée walk down the aisle toward him, Davis is suddenly confronted with three equally compelling choices: 1) follow through with getting married and settle for a mundane life of boring routine; 2) run away to Brazil with the love of his life in pursuit of unchecked passion; or 3) make a beeline back to his indulgent lifestyle of drinking, partying, and stripper-juggling. With so little time to make the most important decision of his life - how can Davis possibly choose...?

Definitely not for the young or faint of heart, The Friday Night Club is quite the titillating read. Taking the reader on a vicarious journey through the hedonistic life and times of a self-indulgent party animal, author Jacob Lurie's engaging tale doubles as a salacious story of the highs and lows of living life to the fullest, as well as a poignant commentary on the virtues of finally growing up. Skillfully penned, and backed by a vivid cast of vibrant, larger-than-life characters, The Friday Night Club successfully combines humor and gravitas in conveying a cautionary tale of learning to appreciate what you've got - while you've still got it. As a result, readers of all ages - and at all stages of growth and development - are sure to relate to the numerous hidden truths peppered throughout Lurie's narrative that make it so endearing - and highly worthwhile. A recommended, enjoyable literary treat."

*All men have to grow up someday*
"It has finally hit him: Davis Robertson is about to get married, and he's no longer sure he's making the right choice. He thought he loved Pam, but the past few days have raised some doubts. A crazy bachelor party in Vegas has brought back memories of his college days with the Friday Night Club, various ex-girlfriends and lovers, and the woman he believed for many years to be the love of his life. These reflections will lead him to make a decision for his future, but what will that decision be?

Lurie's //The Friday Night Club// is a coming-of-age story written for men, with a storyline that many will be able to identify with on some level. The days of college parties, the typical bachelor party at a strip club (gone horribly wrong), and the drugs and drinking are all crucial elements of life for many, and Davis's struggle to come to terms with his past will resonate deeply with some readers. Davis is a surprisingly realistic protagonist, despite his potentially unrealistic past, and his battle with his inner demons will keep the pages turning."


* Not bad, but not overwhelmingly good either*
"I have to note, my review is a bit back and forth. Once I started writing, I realized that I did not have a perfectly clear picture on my feelings towards this book, so please mind the rambling.

Once you start on this book you come to realize that the story and the characters are people out of real life, mind you a somewhat cartoon version of them. You know the people and the story all too well, but as far as the writing is concerned, it is decent, but overall not my personal favorite.

The plot is silly and childish while at the same time being adult and true-to life. It is sort of like one of those bad sitcoms on television, but without the horrible commercials. While the writing style was good overall, I do not think it was up there with Joyce, Miller, or Kerouac in any way as the editorial review states. This book is not "ground-breaking" as many of the other reviewers stated, but it is genre-blending, and it does it well.

This is a book that I recommend for fans of real-life narratives and slapsticky humor, but not for the fans of classical literature. It is raunchy and realistic, but honestly, in the end I do not know if I would really recommend this book to any of my friends, it is not a must read, and I will probably forget it in a few more days. It is worth checking out, especially the cheap kindle edition, but I would not spend too much money.

While I have plenty of negative things to say, there are plenty of positive notes as well. I will gladly read anything by this author in the future. There is a certain flair for storytelling that is contained in the book along with a good understanding of the English language. I hope to hear from J.N. Lurie in the future and hope the best for his career. Good start with this book, keep on working!"

*More Than Zero*
"Jacob Lurie's rollicking, fun-loving party tale is an unusually entertaining story filled with lust, drinking, infidelity, hedonism, and off-the-cuff philosophical musings about the state of being in modern society.

The characters seem powerfully driven by having the next great experience that takes them to the heights of pleasure and/or understanding of the inner workings of being human.

The writing is fresh and vibrant, revealing the author's background in screenwriting. The spirits of youthfulness and vivacity shine through the pages.

Pop culture references jump amusingly through a few decades and he adoringly wears his literary Hunter S. Thompson badge on his sleeve. Humorous elements of psychedelia run through the bars and casinos...

The hopefulness, dreams, concerns and despairs of young Americans are captured in vivid, beer-soaked detail. Lurie is good at capturing the chaos, happenstance and serendipity that befall friends in a raucous night on the town.

If you enjoyed the quizzical comedy of a movie such as "The Hangover," then you will probably thrill to this much more ambitious account of friends creatively colliding through life.

The tone of the writing is refreshingly down to earth and self-effacing. While there is great conviction to get the story across, playfulness and a carefree perspective permeate the chapters. Lurie is descriptive, witty and seems to enjoy flipping the mind of the reader into different frames of reference for particular scenes. Self-analysis is a predominant theme, as is the sense of finding value in second-guessing gut instincts about interpreting interesting life events. It's as if the narrator is amused by the unexpected musings of his own brain.

At times, there is "carelessness" to the interpersonal dealings of the protagonist (ala - I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell). However, the author ultimately convinces the reader that practically anyone can relate to the variety of experiences within the story. It effectively vacillates between the artificial and the substantial.

Multiple dimensions of human psychology are explored, leaving the reader with keen insights and revelations.

Does the protagonist devote himself to everlasting debauchery and superficial experience, or does he succumb to the haunting allure of true love and devotion?

You'll have to read the story to figure it out!"

*The anatomy of a bachelor party*
"Everyone knows what a chick-flick is (lots of Romance), and everyone knows what a guy-movie is (lots of action). If ever there were such-a-thing as a guy-book (lots of debauchery!), then this is it.

Davis Robertson is in a quandary. He is about to get married, but, like Ebenezer Scrooge, Davis is haunted by his past. Instead of the ghost of Christmases past, however, Davis is haunted by the ghosts of girlfriends, flings & relationships of social circles past. He never was all that great at being monogamous, and now the babes he's been with have all come out-of-the-woodwork at the worst possible moment! Yikes!

The book is the story of what leads up to his wedding day, but there are plenty of detours along the way. Davis' buddies, led by his movie-star friend Peter Carter, are throwing him a Bachelor party that is as elaborate as the Catholic Church's coronation of a new pope.

The story is told in a non-sequential way that was pioneered by William Faulkner. The book jumps around via flash-backs & flash-forwards, but it's done in a coherent manner. The bachelor party becomes the prism that opens up corridors to all the different epochs of Davis' life. Kind of like the famous Pink Floyd album cover from DARK SIDE OF THE MOON; you focus a light on the bachelor party & all of the other aspects of Davis' life are shown on the other side.

The character of Peter Carter is quite remarkable. Here is the thing: every guy, unless he was raised in a cave in Tibet, knows a Peter Carter. If he isn't a Peter Carter himself, then he knows one. Peter Carter is the quintessential, ubiquitous, confident, suave, smooth-talking smart-aleck to whom everything in life comes so easily. The Peter Carters of the world can effortlessly pick up 3 cheerleaders at a time & then scratch their heads as to why other guys actually have to work(!) at earning the affections of the gentler sex.

One of the most surprising attributes of this book is that it is filled with trenchant insights as to how guys think. There were several times that I nodded my head as I could relate to what the male personas were going through - as well as how they reacted to certain external social stimuli. In a way, THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB is kind of like the male antipodal counterpart to SEX AND THE CITY; instead of four single women who dream of love & Romance we have a handful of guys who are petrified at the thought of being with the same woman for the rest of their lives.

If you are a guy, have ever known a (heterosexual) guy or have any inclination at all of understanding how guys think, then this book is for you. There are elements of THE BACHELOR, OLD SCHOOL and BACHELOR PARTY in the story, but it also has an uncanny perspicuity of the male psyche. On top of that, it's friggen hilarious!"

*Reviewed for Midwest Book Review* "Although Davis Robertson's getting married in a few days, he finds his mind dwelling on past loves and friendships. As he hangs out with his best friends and groomsmen, Davis relives past experiences with these men, former college mates who formed The Friday Night Club, which was nothing more than a party club. Although Davis loves his fiancée, his thoughts keep turning to the one woman he never really had, a woman he's always held in high regard but never pursued. He fears committing, fears an uncertain future, but tells himself it's time to grow up and move forward. While partying with his friends, Davis vacillates from being certain he wants to marry to doubting his commitment to his fiancée.

This quasi-autobiography isn't your typical bachelor's last fling, although there are the quintessential drunken parties, humorous scenarios, assaults and ultimate arrest. Although couched as a coming-of-age story, The Friday Night Club goes beyond that, delivering poignant, profound insights into the struggling mindset of a young man as he passes into adulthood. Lurie skillfully pulls his reader into Davis's angst, his at-times conflictual relationships with his Friday Night Club partners, his earnest yearning for something he thinks is unattainable. This intriguing book doesn't limit itself to men; women will enjoy the read as much, if not more."

*A Difficult Novel to Rate* Jacob Nelson Lurie writes well. He understands character development (though most of the characters he creates are fairly unlikeable), he has dialogue down pat, and he know how to move a story all over the place with a little help from the tried but true flashback technique. Humor he can write, especially if the reader likes the edgy just this side of bad taste jokes.

The problem with THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB, for this reader, is the numerous other 'boys' night out' themes that seem to be competing with 'chick lit' for shelf space in the airport kiosks. And as long as there is an audience for this current surge in popularity for books of this topic, then Lurie is making his way to the top of the heap with this one. But it makes us wonder if he stepped out of this 'last minute at the altar decision making trauma mold', would he be able to form a story that could hold our interest purely on quality of writing? We can hope so. This first novel is a well-written one...if the subject is a bit used.

*Witty and innovative but sure to give Brides-to-Be cold feet*
"The back cover touts this as a "fast paced coming of age story for adults in the spirit of STAND BY ME...in the vein of Nick Hornby and dead-on dialogue akin to Elmore Leonard." Those are pretty big shoes to fill and this novel, while not always accomplishing that, is still an entertaining read.

The story structure requires a big commitment from the reader; it's not a book you can read casually. I got the feeling the author wrote this exactly as he imagined a movie version would be, with lots of cutting back and forth in time. The dialogue IS very good and the male characters particularly diverse and well developed.

Anyone without a good, working knowledge of 80s and 90s pop culture will miss out on a lot...references to the personalities, music and movies of that era liberally pepper every chapter."

*Insightful Male Misadventure*

(Kara J. Jorges, May 14, 2010)

I started this book feeling for sure that I was in for a ride much like that in "The Hangover" or "Very Bad Things." While certain elements were the same, this book had a lot more emotional depth. Though the timeline is rather jumbled, tying events together, rather than running a chronological thread, it's fairly easy to follow the exploits of Davis and his buddies from their college days up to the day of his wedding. Though Davis earns a degree and becomes a teacher, it's hard to picture him taking any part of his life seriously, as he focuses mostly on memories of parties and affairs past, and creating new memories of the same for the future. One of his friends is a regular guy with a wife and family that he values, but another is a womanizing movie star. Davis himself gives his famous friend a run for his money when it comes to a lack of morals or restraint, however. In the end, after a very wild bachelor party, Davis sobers up and reaches an epiphany, and has a very tough decision to make regarding his future, and we're left with the impression that he might finally have begun to grow up.

While I appreciate the author's unflinching honesty about male behavior, I couldn't help but feel a great deal of distaste toward Davis. Quite bluntly, he's a self-serving user with no regard for the impact his actions will have on others, particularly if they're women. I didn't care much for his rigid fiancée, Pamela, either, and simply could not understand what kept this couple together. Davis spent most of his time reflecting on other women from his past and present, as he cheats on Pamela constantly, and Pamela felt like more of an obligation than someone he really wanted to be with.

By the end, I found myself harboring an intense dislike for Davis. Why did he bother to propose to Pamela if he wasn't ready to settle down with her? The minute they got engaged, he seemed to suffer a prolonged panic attack, referred to most of her half of their conversations as yammering, and apparently looked upon a future with her as one of imprisonment. The fact that he reached an epiphany about his selfish behavior in the eleventh hour did not impress me, as I believe he should not have bothered proposing to someone until such an event occurred. If this is the way men are, I can do without them, thank you very much. Gender does not preclude an individual from decency.

My personal feelings about Davis aside, this was quite an amusing adventure, filled with colorful characters. The jumbled timeline is not my favorite plot device, but it works here. This book was many things, not the least of which is somewhat of a romance novel told very much from a man's perspective, and is worth the read simply for the insights.

*Here's hope for all the world's self-observant fools*
"Is this book humor disguised as soft-core porn, or vice versa? I won't answer the question for you. But I can guarantee that Jacob Nelson Lurie's The Friday Night Club must be one or the other and the difference is purely coincidental. What also emerges is perhaps the opposite of chick-lit: a book that allows the ladies to take a good look inside the heads of men and--hopefully--accept a more light-hearted appreciation of the Venus or Mars debate.

Oh yeah, Lurie tries to toss in some universal meaning as well. I boiled the message down to the line on page 305 of the paperback version: "There is hope for a self-observant fool." Maybe some day I'll find that in a fortune cookie. But the book is at its best when Lurie retains his most irreverent voice instead of meandering off with attempted epiphanies.

Still, there is enough irreverence here to satisfy an old curmudgeon like me, who sincerely believes that both my marriages were successes. I'm usually more enthralled by stories with a body count, a dangerous femme fatale or a wisecracking detective, but this made for a nice change of pace.

Because the story's primary action springs from the hero's bachelor party, it has drawn comparisons with movies like The Hangover (R-Rated Single-Disc Edition) or I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and those seem on the mark. Lurie's title springs from remembrances of the main characters' college days, when they gathered each Friday night to blow off steam. Lurie mixes those memories effectively with the primary plot of the hero's bachelor party a decade later and his perfectly normal apprehensions about finally tying the knot. Will he make it to the altar, or bolt for the liberation of his days as a co-founder of The Friday Night Club?

The answer might well be a cliché, if it weren't for the response of his intended when he finally tries to confess his sins as well as his doubts. With "Here Comes the Bride" about to play, Pamela waves away his monumental macho quandary as an issue for discussion on a later day. Once you are that close to "I do," of course, how can the groom be more important than the wedding?

As a self-published novel, The Friday Night Club won't be attracting attention in mainstream circles. But Lurie is an eloquent wordsmith, and his tale of The Friday Night Club emerges as an amusing discovery for those readers who like to stray from the beaten path of the bookstores' front windows." (Gary Taylor, May 4, 2010)

*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)  


*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 hav

*A Wild Journey To The Altar*
"For some people, getting married to your college sweetheart makes perfect sense. However, the trip to the altar may be the logical thing to do, but for our hero, Davis Robertson, the journey is filled with many wild twists and turns, thanks in large part to the antics of his close circle of friends - aka, The Friday Night Club.

Not only do they uphold their long-standing tradition of outrageous debauchery for Davis' wild and wooly bachelor party, Davis spends most of the time prior to the wedding rehashing the other loves and lusts of his life, as he tries to come to grips with a lot of emotional baggage. He seems to have good intentions, but worries that his life is going to become a boring and passionless existence, if he goes along with the planned nuptuals. Certainly, his plight is not all that uncommon in modern society; most of us can relate.

The author, Jake Lurie, writes a breezy, often hilarious and occassionally poignant narrative which keeps the reader fully engaged in the antics of these old college buddies over the years. For most guys who've experienced the wilder side of college life - the parties, the alchohol fueled sexual encounters, the fights, the pranks, the hangovers - The Friday Night Club is sure to stir some fond and perhaps not-so-fond memories. In the end, Davis seems to have come of age through all the turmoil, giving us hope that his married life won't be so bad after all. Based on past experiences, it seems inevitable his life will be anything but dull going forward.

For the reader, Davis' wild journey makes for a most enlightening and entertaining tale. You'll be glad you tagged along for the ride." (Larry Underwood, 03/26/10)

*WILLIE AND JULIO SING BACKUP* (Amazon.com Top 1000 Reviewer -- Vine Voice)
"Okay, so everyone else reviewing THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB is reminded of everything from The Hangover or High Fidelity to The Breakfast Club and How I met your Mother. My foray into the pages of Jacob Lurie's semi-autobiographical tome called to mind a plethora of images ranging from Ocean's Eleven (the protagonist Davis has his own personal "rat pack") to I Love You, Man as well as the writings of Albert Camus and Kierkegaard. Now don't say," What, is she nuts? What do Camus and Kierkegaard have to do with some over-grown adolescent standing at the alter ready to wet himself at the thought of actually committing to one woman for the rest of his life?" For that matter, what do they have to do with drunken parties, wild Vegas jaunts and women, women, women you ask? Well both Camus and Kierkegaard were basically existentialists who believed that the individual was solely responsible for giving their own life meaning and living that life passionately in spite of obstacles..........and boy are the characters in this novel into that philosophy.

THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB's chief protagonist Davis Robertson and his old college friends have come together in the four days preceding Davis's marriage to Pamela and go into "full court press" mode in their attempt to reminisce about and re-live situations from those good old days of their youth (you can almost hear Willie and Julio singing "To all the girls I've loved before" in the background.")

The discourse is liberally peppered with "F" bombs and the flashbacks into the "buddies" questionable histories and their stories, while amusing in parts, are definitely not for those easily offended by the things that naturally occur when guys are with guys............... like a lot of swearing and overt references to sexual encounters. This is definitely a buddy book, however I feel that young women would probably find it not only amusing but could potentially use it as an instruction manual for understanding and coping with the male psyche." (Bookworm, 02/24/10)

*In One Word: AMAZING!*
"YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! NOW! Don't even bother with the rest of this review, just READ THE BOOK!

Just in case it's not clear; I absolutely loved The Friday Night Club! From the very first sentence, I was totally hooked. I couldn't put it down. It's hilarious, touching, and amazingly well-written. The character development and dialogue are brilliant, and I am eagerly anticipating Mr. Lurie's next work! Go! Read it now!" (Supadlicious, 02/23/10)

*Great FUNNY first effort*
"I think Jacob Nelson Lurie is an author to watch. His first effort THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB, A NOVEL is a fast wild ride. Disclaimers start you out, three of them actually but let me quote from two:
"Disclaimer A: This is a true story. Aside from the parts that aren't true, of which there are a few, though not as many as you would believe....... " This started me off with a smile.
"Disclaimer C: Whether you know this or not, these people are your friends, your lovers, or your family. I guarantee that you know someone like one of those characters. I guarantee that person has lived a life more interesting than all these characters combined. I guarantee that if you didn't know that person then, you would hate who they were. And I can guarantee that you love that person now."
I think after finishing the book this is true. You will recognize a friend that you have among, Davis Robert's friend, Jonesy, Peter, Divan, even the gals, Pamela, Hillary, Naomi, Heather and more.
This book if funny and poignant at the same time. It was compared to Hangover in several reviews. I don't think so except the obvious, marrage and friends. The characters and events in the novel are easier to believe than those in the movie. You can easily recognize the incidents as something the reader has done in life, if you drink and have life long friends.
Even the ABOUT THE AUTHOR at the end is funny. RECOMMENDED!" (James L. Woolridge "Wool in Jupiter FL", 02/22/10)

 *The Friday Night Club is a novel with themes relevant to young men* (Amazon.com Top 500 Reviewer)
"Jacob Lurie is a writer who understands human relationships. Men often sabotage their relationships with women with their actions. Men also do things without thinking of the consequences. There is a bond of loyalty between the male characters in this book. Lurie establishes these themes clearly.

I could see myself making friends with all the people in this book. It would be fun being friends with a professional actor. I have a long time loyal friend like the character Adam Jones. It is hard for me to maintain ties with my friends now nearing middle age, but I try. These characters are real people as Lurie states in the disclaimer. It would be interesting to meet them in real life.

Lurie switches too abruptly from one time period to another at times. I would advise readers to read this book slowly to grasp how each character fits into the plot of the novel. It is kind of difficult to keep track of the relationships in the beginning. This novel requires the full attention of the reader. This novel motivates me to strengthen the relationships I have with my male and female friends. The Friday Night Club is an entertaining novel with themes relevant to young men. I enjoyed it." (Robert G. Yokoyama, 03/17/10)  

*Read This Novel If You Want To Understand*
"I don't hate anyone, but I came close to hating Tucker Max when I skimmed his memoir, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. I think he is a self obsessed, spoiled narcissist. I think the popularity of his writings spell some sort of underlying decay of the morality of American men. He is a death to all virtue. Mr. Lurie is no Tucker Max. Some reviews made it seem that this book was written in the same vein as Tucker Max, so I went into reading it with a heavy heart. Mr. Lurie quickly changed my pre-conceived notions with his tremendous wit and hilarious dialogue. I, a self confessed philosophical curmudgeon, was very impressed with his ability to weave fresh dialogue and character sketches together in a narrative that has distinctive time and location changes. This book is also ripe with meaning, something entirely lacking in any of the heretofore published "di** lit". Most of that seems to be, "I saw this chick, I f****d her, high five and beer all around.) I did laugh out loud in several instances while reading The Friday Night Club. IMHO, Mr. Lurie accomplishes all of these feats seamlessly.

To Marry or not to Marry. That is the question. This question plagues young American men, and Mr. Lurie has found a way to make it entertaining. Mr. Lurie is able to penetrate the psychology of a thoroughly confused modern American man. One one hand we have a woman that will make a lovely wife, on the other hand we have the hundreds of one night stands and drunken matings of our lusts.

I hope his book finds a wide audience. I hope it gets optioned for a movie. I know that movie will be much better than I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. I am eager to read Mr. Lurie's future works and this novel is just another representation of the fact that edgy literary output is moving away from the stale traditional publishing houses to those independent authors with the willingness to take personal risks to bring their visions to the light of day." (Jeffrey M. Hopkins, 03/10/10)

*Friday Night Club*
"I have not read a book that reminded me of so many people I already know, it was easy to relate to what Davis was going through and I have had friends just like Peter. This was a great read and it kept me interested the whole time wondering if he was going to get married for real or not. The author has a knack for getting you hooked in just a few pages. I give the book a 5 star rating all the way and I have already giving the book to other friends in my age group that can also relate to what Jake Lauri has written. I look forward to other novals coming from this talented writer." (Kathleen Henry, 03/06/10)

*Excellent wit!!*
"For those who like their entertainment robust and hilarious the Vegas shenanigans of main character, Davis Robertson, and his friends are right on the money. You'll shake your head, say "No way is Lurie going there," and then burst out laughing as he does indeed "go there." The dialogue is so enjoyable and witty I'm sure some enterprising individual could make a great drinking game out the frequent cultural references and quotes that are seamlessly delivered.

For those who like to analyze and alter the course of train wrecks in the making, a.k.a. "Men" to some, then Davis Robertson, and his friends are just the tickets. You'll shake your head, say "No way is Lurie going there," and then wish you could just shake Davis. Or maybe give him a hug as we ultimately gain insights into Davis' thought process (and frequently arrested thought process).

Lurie takes us to a place that is both funny and poignant as The Friday Night Club reminds us that we're all flawed people doing the best we can with what we've got, and thank God we've got friends like Jonesy and Peter for the journey." (J. G. Mooney, 02/24/10)

*Absolutely Fantastic!*
"All in all, a great book. You will laugh from the forward until the "About the Author" page. Lurie writes each chapter as a single event that moves the story forward and makes it very hard to put down. You find yourself unwilling to stop until you get the scoop on the teasers he leaves regarding both past and future events. The dialogue and character interactions are reminiscent of Hiasson. All of this makes for a quick and very enjoyable read. I highly recommend to any readers looking for something new to check out. I'm looking forward to his next one. I have recommended it to several friends and family members, and everyone is loving it!" (Jeff S., 02/16/10)

*Enjoyed it immensely!*
"Gotta say Jake pulled off something with this book that kept me reading and reading and reading .. finished the last half of the book last night ... stayed up far later than i normally do just to finish it. His narrative makes you really wonder how much of this isnt true? .(yeah jake .. yer gonna spill the beans one of these days man) Normally not my genre of book to read but as of late with a lack of notable sci fi novels being published i have taken to reading a few more fiction/non-fiction books and this one is going to be in my top 10 books i would recommend should someone ask me for any ideas! thanks again Jake for the laughs and the colorful insight into what "might" have been your life!" (R. Wylie, 02/11/10)

*One hell of a ride ...*
"Right from the start, The Friday Night Club grabs you with its wonderful word play and wicked sense of humor. And Lurie's attention to character grounds the story in such a way that you embrace these people, warts and all. Do yourself a favor and check out this book!" (Ryan Wick, 02/08/10)

 *Could not put this book down until I had read the whole book!*
"I really loved reading this book. It is humorous to me how the characters are so easy for you to relate to someone you know. I will recommend it to my friends and family. My husband is reading it now and is enjoying it, as well. Mr. Lurie sure has a knack for writing and I am looking forward to the next book from this talented author. I found it a real plus that I could get it instantly to my kindle." (Toni Bouchard., 02/03/10)  

*Making Friday Nights Alright Again*
by Douglas Cobb (reviewer for www.Bestsellersworld.com)

"Think of a cross between The Breakfast Club (the “College Years” version) and “How I Met Your Mother,” with a lot more imbibing of alcoholic beverages and gratuitous sex thrown in for good measure, and you might get some glimmering of an idea about the awesomeness that is the plot line of The Friday Night Club by Jacob Nelson Lurie. The book’s first person narrator, Davis Robertson, takes a nonlinear look back on his college and post-college years, eventually leading up to his wedding day, and contemplates everything that defines himself and his friends and has brought him to be willing to get yoked to one woman for the rest of his life. Though he loves the woman he’s going to marry, Pamela, he can’t help but think about the wild times and numerous sexual conquests he’s had in the past, and wonder if he’s doing the right thing.

The novel has a fairly large cast of characters, with probably the most interesting one being Davis’s good friend, the actor Peter Carter, who the narrator describes as looking “…a lot like a young Matthew McConaughey.” The way the narrator admires Carter and looks up to his wealth, carefree manner, ability to drink like a fish, and womanizing skills reminded me a bit of the way the narrator of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby admires the title character of that novel.

The novel is liberally laced with humorous moments and musical and cultural references. Besides the reference comparing Peter to Matthew McConaughey, another of Davis’s friends, Jonesy, is described as resembling David Bowie, and another character, Thomas Divan, is described as “…looking a lot like a young Steve McQueen.” There are many other references, from Bible quotes to Pink Floyd’s line from the album “Animals,” “…dragged down by the stone.” The characters are, after all, a product of the times they live in. One of the pleasures I got from reading the novel was thinking about the references myself, and the meanings each had for me and the people I knew while growing up.

The Friday Night Club is made up of the narrator and his friends. They meet every Friday night and have parties where the beer and other alcohol flows freely, and they all, in general, have a lot of fun taking a break from their studying and classes at the University of Colorado. They even have a set of three Commandments each member must adhere to, such as Commandment #1: “No band or any earsplitting music that shakes the fillings from your mouth or the neighbors from their slumber.” The club fills a social need in their lives, providing them with a break from the mundane, and a chance to philosophize and shoot the bull with each other. As the narrator puts it: “We six lost circus performers were simply in need of an escape from the daily dullness of classes and studying.”

It’s a coming of age story, a novel of becoming adults, of settling down into married lives and raising families, on one level. But it is a novel that is full of life and the promise of living each moment to its fullest, also, while one is still young, and it is vibrant and will cause you to look back fondly on your own college years. The club is very important to everybody who is a member of it. As Jonesy says, it and the people he met as a result of the club made “College the best four years of my life.” He goes on to say:

“The Friday Night Club was the one thing I could look forward to if the week was bad. It was the dry blanket and bottle of whiskey after walking in a rain storm of shit. But…if the week was good..goddamn, that party was the icing on the cake. It was my home away from home. It was my sanctuary. No, it was our sanctuary…our church.”

The Friday Night Club speaks to all of us, whether you’re currently in college, are looking forward to attending one, or are long out of it and are firmly ensconced in marital bliss and are looking back on your past, like the narrator. If you enjoy reading humorous novels about drinking, partying, having sex with as many people as possible while you’re still young, and lots of alcohol-induced - but still insightful philosophy - on life, then The Friday Night Club is the book for you." (Douglas Cobb, Bestsellersworld.com, 01/25/10)
 

*Couldn't help but love it..*
"Very early on in this story I was reminded that there is an actual moment in time when we suddenly learn that the people who surround us are not simply supporting characters in the play of our own lives. They have feelings and thoughts, tragic and hilarious experiences much like our own, and our choices, good or bad, do very often affect them. It seems so obvious now but it wasn't always. Friday Night Club leads you through the tumultuous and emotional process of one young man learning this very important life lesson and reminds you of your own crazy stumblings towards the same end. And if you happen to be still in the process, it'll be a good friend along the way.

*A Club We've All Been In*
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Lurie's voice is incredibly funny and keeps the book moving along at a fast pace. Once I started, it was hard to stop (stupid papers that needed grading!!!). Reading this was like having a conversation with an old friend, sitting at a bar, having a beer, hearing him recount this awful experience and then watching him work to make sense of it all. Davis Robertson is impossibly self-centered and broken and obnoxious. As a woman I want to punch him in the junk and then take home to fix his life. I really liked the flashbacks and how eventually all questions were answered. I actually wanted to go back immediately and reread it to understand how the author set everything up in the beginning with the references to earlier and later events. Lurie's writing reminds me a lot of Jonathan Tropper, especially "Plan B", which I loved. " (Amanda Domino, 01/15/10)
 

 *True Story--Aside From Parts That Aren't!*
I had to laugh when I read "Thanks...to my mother and sister who were able to read this as fiction" at the beginning of this book. I have two nephews that were on my mind as I delved into the personal lives of The Friday Night Club by Jacob Nelson Lurie. But I tended to think a lot more truth than fiction, based upon the "guy humor" that we've had to face over the years...no matter that none of us ever got some of the jokes!

Guys are definitely going to love this book that will take them on a memory romp through school/college years or to that special group of guys that "hung out" whenever they got the chance and looked for and hoped for...

So I thought I would just ignore those antics that you will either love or hate, depending upon your age--you know, drinking, parties, girls, girls and more girls.

This is my take on the main character--Davis Robertson, AKA JNLurie! The author gives us a disclaimer right at the beginning: "This is a true story. Aside from the parts that aren't true..."

Davis Robertson is the kind of guy that most good girls seek...and should ignore until he's about 25. Before that, girls will immediately see a sweet, sensitive, gorgeous guy--fear him! Run in the opposite direction, do not allow yourself to get close, to fall for him...

He is nowhere near being able to leave The Friday Night Club and the guys... If you fall in love, your heart will sooner or later be broken!

Davis is 28 when his marriage to Pamela is to take place. He's fallen in love at last and wants to spend the rest of his life with her...

But, of course, The Friday Night Club swoops into town, immediately take over his life and plan a bachelor party that will end all parties... But, being with all the guys again also takes them down memory lane and, you guessed it, all the young women from the past life of Davis take this time to come see if Davis is really getting married, whether he still has those feelings for "her." Frankly I stopped counting how many there were, but, there was "one" special one with whom he had shared love-at-first-sight. He wasn't quite sure about her. So, of course, she was the one that was invited to be the entertainment at his bachelor party--or should I say bachelor brawl?

Seriously, girls, stay away from young Davis and guys like him...You really need to read this book to know exactly what you might get into... But, gee, my heart's been broken lots of times...and you know, I've not regretted any of those guys! So, you'll have to decide too!

Readers, this is a fun book--to either go back into memories of your youth or to enjoy and "compare" whether your Halloween Heaven and Hell party was as good as the one The Friday Night Club by Jacob Nelson Lurie were involved in! Perfect spring break book!

Perfect pre-marriage counseling book...ah, just kidding???

In any event, a thoroughly enjoyable, fun, escapism creation that will keep you laughing or crying (probably in different places based upon whether you're a male or female reader) but, certainly, turning the pages in anticipation! Great Read! " (G. A. Bixler - IP Book Reviewer BookReaderHeaven.com, 01/14/10)