I'm not sure how to categorise this book. In many ways you could say it's 'women's fiction' - but told from a man's point of view. Wikipedia tells me that women's fiction has been defined: "a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship." Well, replace "about a woman" with "about a man" in that definition and you've got Jim Kokoris's novel in a nutshell. I fell for the story - the part that's pitched at the 'father' demographic. This father is, however, ever worse a father than I am. Actually, I think this is a deliberate hyperbolic mechanism used by Kokoris. The father readers laugh at or are shocked by Charlie Baker's incompetence as a parent, but Kokoris makes Charlie believable enough that the readers ask "wait, could I really be a bit like that?" Unfortunately, when I asked myself this question, the answer was a decided "yes, I'm a lot like that". Where this book failed me is its romantic conclusion. I don't read romance, for the reason that the world is not really like that. The real story of Charlie Baker has to end with a lot more doubt and ambiguity than Kokoris suggests. ( )

11/30/09 - You are one of our Goodreads.com 'First Reads' lucky winners! You will soon receive a free copy of The "Pursuit of Other Interests: A Novel." Received 12/10/09



As I read this book I realized that except for the grace of God, there go I. I could easily be the protagonist and since like the protagonist I'm overly self-serious, many of the passages meant to be funny just struck too close to home for me to laugh at them.

Good plotline, good pacing, excellent character development and an overall enjoyable read. ( )

I love the way Jim Kokoris writes. He's incredibly clever, and you cannot help but fall in love with his characters, even when they're totally impossible.
I read, and enjoyed this book, but I have to say I knew exactly where it was going from the moment the protagonist, Charlie, is fired. You will, too, but it's still completely worth reading. ( )

After what seemed to me to be a clumsy start, this story of redemption of a flawed but likeable Charlie Baker found its footing. The dialogue is refreshingly funny and the characters well drawn. A few scenes are stilted and forced, but in all a good read. ( )

On some level a humorous book but greed does not lead to happiness. Being in debt when you are making tons of money seems strange to me. However, it is a commentary on the life and times of many people now even if this is fiction.

I'd call this book a beach read, but it was a winter release, so I'll say it's a winter break read instead. This is a light and funny book, one that I would describe as the unisex version of chick lit, to be entirely convoluted. The novel is the story of Charlie Baker, an advertising CEO who loses his job and can't cope with the aftermath. Charlie is the stereotypical workaholic: three hours of sleep per night, little contact with his family, McMansion and SUV. In the wake of being fired Charlie has to try and make sense of his life, and repair his broken relationships with his wife and son. I found this novel to be light and humorous; a touching story that reads easily and quickly. I would certainly not describe this book as a deep statement on human nature or modernrity or anything like that, but enjoyable recreational reading nonetheless. ( )

I'm probably not the intended audience for a book like this. I'm a female in her 30s that doesn't have a high stress, high paying, high travel job but I did enjoy the story. It was nice to get a glimpse of another lifestyle, one I don't expect to ever have. The main character, Charlie, was a likeable character despite his many flaws. The author did a great job of reminding us that we all have the same type of emotions regardless of how anyone acts or is perceived. Charlie was scared and embarrassed throughout most of the story but he was also hopeful, reflective and willing to change by the end. I liked Charlie's interactions with Matt and watching his friendship develop with Ned. What I'd really like to see is a follow-up novel with a story about Ned. I want to see what spectacular things he can do with his life, he's got great potential! ( )

The Pursuit of Other Interests opens as 50-year-old Charlie Baker, head of a big Chicago ad agency, seems to be “losing it” -- and before long, we see that “it” isn’t merely his psychological stability but also his mega-salary job and possibly the wife and teenage son he’s ignored for years in favor of work.

Lest this sound like deep drama, it’s not; it’s instead a terrific “comfort read” -- a fun romp through the world of outplacement and a touching exploration of the opportunity that a mid-life/mid-career crisis provides to choose again (the same or differently) about one’s work, family, and life priorities. I so enjoyed Kokoris’s characters that I’m already working my way through his backlist and am eager for future releases.

(Review based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.) ( )

Charlie Baker was living the American dream. CEO of an advertising firm with an office overlooking Lake Michigan, a wife and son, a beautiful home in an exclusive neighborhood. Life was great and who could ask for more?

Then Charlie is fired without notice and finds himself stuck in a cubicle at an outplacement firm looking for employment. He soon realizes that he has no friends, his former employees hate him, he doesn’t know his son anymore and his marriage is in shambles.

Relevant to today’s economic times and delivered with just enough humor to keep you from becoming depressed, Jim Kokoris has written a modern tale of one man’s perseverance to rediscover and redefine himself after his life bottoms out.

Overall, this book was a very entertaining and fun read. ( )

“The Pursuit of Other Interests” by Kokoris is a timely read in this economic downturn. I started the book with some apprehension that it wouldn’t really interest me but the author has made Charlie Baker, the downtrodden executive whose life has fallen into shambles, into a character I cared about. As he gets over his initial shock and anger over his job loss, Charlie begins a realistic transformation that life is not measured by the job you have. The author also makes the supporting cast of characters, his family and the outplacement people, into a laughable and likeable group. ( )

In Pursuit of Other Interests is a well-written dark comedy with heart. The reader watches as the protagonist, Charlie, evolves from a self-obsessed workaholic with few redeeming qualities to a still flawed, but relatable family man. The transformation is impressive but not absurdly abrupt or extreme, and the realistic story is further improved by the author's excellent treatment of dialogue. ( )

The Pursuit of Other Interests is a witty story of a high-powered adman who is fired, or "released." As someone who works in advertising, I could appreciate Charlie's (the main character) Type A personality and the baggage that comes along with it. As the novel unfolded, I most enjoyed watching Charlie grow from a self-absorbed mess into a man who becomes aware of those around him and what matters most. It was an enjoyable read – cute and clever, without being Saccharine – that I would recommend to others. ( )

When 50 year old Charlie Baker is laid off, he goes through all the stages of grieving...starting with denial. He cannot believe that he has lost his job...so much so that he at first does not even admit it to his family. Eventually, he does and discovers through his time at an outplacement firm, the life that he really has lost and the life he has gained.

This is a very funny book that makes many good points. Is it worth it???? The job and the prestige, the time away from the family???

I could not help but thinking this would be a great movie or play. The author has done a good job. Anyone who has ever had a job that they thought defined them would relate to this book. ( )

Very funny book. The story was certainly timely and interesting.

Don't be put off by the beginning of this book. I was ready to dismiss it as a predictable portrait of a shallow, overworked executive. But once Charlie Baker is fired, he becomes far more interesting. I love the way the reader gets to know him as he gets to know himself. Charlie does not even recognize his own life -- his McMansion is glossy and impersonal, his wife and son are practically strangers. Charlie has nowhere to go, so he spends his days at an employment center. The other out-of-work characters are real and poignant -- and funny. Gradually Charlie thaws out and becomes human again. Like warming up after frostbite, it's a painful process. I especially love Kokoris's descriptions of Charlie's son, Kyle. He seems to not be angry at his absent father, but sweetly befuddled by him. This book reminds me of a Tom Perotta novel, but without the unrelentingly dark view of humanity. The Pursuit of Other Interests is ultimately a hopeful book. ( )

This was my first novel by this author and I enjoyed it a great deal. With dead-on details and a touch of humor, Korkoris shares the life of Charlie, an advertising executive suddenly fired.

Charlie is forced to take a hard look at both his professional and personal life and make some difficult choices. Korkoris does not sugar coat the difficulty of finding work once one hits middle age. The panic the characters demonstrate while attempting to make a living is almost oppressive. However, anyone, who has been offered the services of a job search firm, will appreciate Korkoris' depiction in this book and will giggle and groan with the recognition.

The main character does begin to find his way by the end of the novel. However after so many painful, discouraging struggles I found myself needing a happier, more definitive ending - even if real life doesn't always work that way.

Recommended ( )