Product Description

WHAT IS LOVE?

In the game of love, there are winners and losers. In THE LOSERS' CLUB, Richard Perez tries to answer the eternal question. Set in downtown New York City, THE LOSERS' CLUB tells the story of Martin Sierra, an unlucky writer addicted to the personals. His journey brings us into the East Village, pre-9/11—and in contact with Nikki, his dream woman, who remains unattainable romantically yet becomes his friend and confidant during his illuminating misadventures. Populated with characters and surprises few will ever forget, this energetic, comic novel is as much about a generation (we won't say "X") as it is about a specific time and place.

"THE LOSERS' CLUB is a vibrant and hopeful anthem for all of us 'losers' who choose not to wallow (for too long!) in our despair and who find the will to keep searching."—Heather Lowcock, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington KY*

BOOK SENSE 76 TOP TEN PICK!*

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130161 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Joanne Greenberg, author: I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN
"A story of youth, very well told, and it dwells in the mind long after a reader finishes it."

Poppy Z. Brite, author: LOST SOULS, LIQUOR: A NOVEL
"I couldn't put it down. It's a brave book with a great deal of heart."

Madison Smartt Bell, author: ALL SOULS' RISING, TEN INDIANS
"Along with all its flamboyant extremes...an appealingly old fashioned love story at its core."

Customer Reviews

Loser's Book
In the words of Phil Gabbutt, "Probably the most obvious first twenty pages I have ever read. Let's be objective: make that definitely. Maeve Binchy holds more in common with Bukowski, and could probably drink Perez under the table at a canter. If she's still alive."
Gabbutt's got a good instinct for such things. I'd be inclined to believe him.

Flawed But Lively Little Book
Of my recent Amazon purchases -- including A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby and Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs -- this book falls at number two. I enjoyed Running With Scissors only slightly more because of the more polished writing, but I actually liked it better than the latest Nick Hornby Book, which I found lacking. (I'm a big High Fidelity fan, so it pains me to say this.)

The Losers Club is a rough (sometimes roughly written) comic love story of sorts involving Martin Sierra, a Spanish American protagonist whose only goal in life is to be a poet in the vein of Charles Bukowski. But as the novel opens we understand that things aren't exactly working out for Martin.

Stuck at a tedious dead end job (one of the many sacrifices for his "art") he is demoralized and left feeling empty. One of his few pleasures appears to be the East Village, which at the time of the book (pre-9/11) was still a happening place.

In the East Village, Martin bangs around the clubs and bars hoping to find meaning and possibly a romantic connection, when we're introduced to Nikki, who plays a central role in the book.

In many ways The Losers Club embraces, albeit humorously, the cult of failure. That's primarily what this book is about. Martin has feelings for Nikki, who, quite realistically, doesn't know what she wants. This launches Martin back into the world of the Downtown personals, through which Martin relentlessly meets and dates a host of unconventional prospects. If you're at all familiar with the scene, these artsy, experimental, somewhat damaged individuals are drawn with surprising accuracy; and the author has a gift for swift and often funny dialogue.

Decide for yourself, but I found The Losers Club enjoyable, often funny, and easy-to-read. It's not literary in the typical sense, yet there are eloquent passages and moments of true feeling. I was definitely moved on an emotional level at certain parts. You may not enjoy this novel if you typically enjoy high-toned literary bestsellers, like Atonement or anything by John Updike. But if you want a fast, fun, sometimes crude read in the vein of High Fidelity, this book is definitely for you.

Hilarious in a unique way
The Losers' Club is a fascinating novel to read. Though serious, it is equally hilarious and gives a perfect insight into life whose meaning has eluded so many people. It reminded me of the story of The Oaf in Janvier Tisi's novel "The Usurper". The characters are rich and lively and flow with the fast pace of the novel and the marvelous setting given to it.THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES, DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE are other recommended books to read that I enjoyed.