Delightful, entertaining read
Dempsey’s Grill is a delightful, entertaining, and insightful read. The book provides great character builds from primary to tertiary. There are two types of people in the world. People like Lourdes and Hope and people that eventually grind the Lourdes and Hopes into the ground. Without giving away any spoilers, the primary character has an identity crisis with his love life and work life. We don’t always finish what we start. Sometimes we want to stop the train and take a plane. There’s nothing wrong with that. Others should not judge us because we suddenly stop and choose a different path. Gibson finds himself in an unusual predicament one day. It seems like a nightmare at first, but this predicament works out for him for the good. I highly recommend Dempsey’s Grill because it opens the reader’s eyes to adult situations that make you wonder why we do the things we do and allow others to (sometimes subliminally) dictate to us.
Dempsey’s Grill is a delightful, entertaining, and insightful read. The book provides great character builds from primary to tertiary. There are two types of people in the world. People like Lourdes and Hope and people that eventually grind the Lourdes and Hopes into the ground. Without giving away any spoilers, the primary character has an identity crisis with his love life and work life. We don’t always finish what we start. Sometimes we want to stop the train and take a plane. There’s nothing wrong with that. Others should not judge us because we suddenly stop and choose a different path. Gibson finds himself in an unusual predicament one day. It seems like a nightmare at first, but this predicament works out for him for the good. I highly recommend Dempsey’s Grill because it opens the reader’s eyes to adult situations that make you wonder why we do the things we do and allow others to (sometimes subliminally) dictate to us.
Delayed coming of age story
I loved this book. My favorite quotes were “What’s life without dreaming?” And “Do you want to be part of the box score or the one reading it?” Gibson Baker has to grow up at almost thirty after his girlfriend, the tightly wound Lourdes, kicks him out and his job he never liked is defunded. Dempsey shares his dream and gives them a purpose. He reconnects with his childhood love, Gail, and learns to appreciate his older sister Hope. The first person stream of consciousness style sucks you right into Gibson’s brain, a very interesting place to be. I don’t want to give away the story but you will laugh out loud one minute and well up with tears the next. This is the first Bryan Fagan book I’ve read. It won’t be the last! Put it on your want to read list.
I loved this book. My favorite quotes were “What’s life without dreaming?” And “Do you want to be part of the box score or the one reading it?” Gibson Baker has to grow up at almost thirty after his girlfriend, the tightly wound Lourdes, kicks him out and his job he never liked is defunded. Dempsey shares his dream and gives them a purpose. He reconnects with his childhood love, Gail, and learns to appreciate his older sister Hope. The first person stream of consciousness style sucks you right into Gibson’s brain, a very interesting place to be. I don’t want to give away the story but you will laugh out loud one minute and well up with tears the next. This is the first Bryan Fagan book I’ve read. It won’t be the last! Put it on your want to read list.
An witty, insightful, and emotionally driven story of love, regret, and ambition.
Dempsey’s Grill reads with a wisdom and candor that I’ve only ever seen in famous classic contemporaries. It is very difficult to believe that this is Bryan’s first novel. In a humorous and whirlwind story, the narrator (Gibson) and his ragtag group of misfits in their dying twenties chase down what they believe is their last chance for success. The characters are lovable and so realistically detailed that it seems they were cut and pasted from real life. Bryan has near-perfectly captured a slice of the world in the pages of this book: the good, the bad, and the occasional pissing of ones pants during a shootout on an Oregon marijuana farm.
Bryan’s writing makes you feel as though you’re listening to the story rather than reading it; in that sense, this is an easy read. In another sense, this book sent me into some complex philosophical contemplations about life, dreams, and the inevitable passage of time…something only great writers are capable of. I cannot praise Dempsey’s Grill enough. It is deserving of far more than five stars 🙂
Dempsey’s Grill reads with a wisdom and candor that I’ve only ever seen in famous classic contemporaries. It is very difficult to believe that this is Bryan’s first novel. In a humorous and whirlwind story, the narrator (Gibson) and his ragtag group of misfits in their dying twenties chase down what they believe is their last chance for success. The characters are lovable and so realistically detailed that it seems they were cut and pasted from real life. Bryan has near-perfectly captured a slice of the world in the pages of this book: the good, the bad, and the occasional pissing of ones pants during a shootout on an Oregon marijuana farm.
Bryan’s writing makes you feel as though you’re listening to the story rather than reading it; in that sense, this is an easy read. In another sense, this book sent me into some complex philosophical contemplations about life, dreams, and the inevitable passage of time…something only great writers are capable of. I cannot praise Dempsey’s Grill enough. It is deserving of far more than five stars 🙂
Fun, laugh-out-loud moments, great themes, enjoyable story
I became aware of this book through its author on Twitter and found it to be a great read. I enjoyed its hopeful tone in the face of obstacles and insecurities that you encounter as you grow into your adult self. Themes I enjoyed most in this story were: taking a risk to create an “adult” career; dealing with losses (in the forms of lovers, spouses, jobs); and accepting others as they are/ dealing with things as they are.
I felt it had a fun Gen-X vibe, and as an Xer, I’m always on the lookout for stories that hit home for me.
I became aware of this book through its author on Twitter and found it to be a great read. I enjoyed its hopeful tone in the face of obstacles and insecurities that you encounter as you grow into your adult self. Themes I enjoyed most in this story were: taking a risk to create an “adult” career; dealing with losses (in the forms of lovers, spouses, jobs); and accepting others as they are/ dealing with things as they are.
I felt it had a fun Gen-X vibe, and as an Xer, I’m always on the lookout for stories that hit home for me.
Keep reading. The story just keeps getting better and better as it moves forward.
We became aware of this book through a family member. Once my wife and I started reading it we quickly got caught up in the plot and found ourselves anxiously awaiting the next mis-adventure that the characters became involved in. We were impressed by Bryans skill in develping his characters. We understood that this was the authors first book and must say that Bryan certainly demonstrated his skill in framing the story in such a way as to capture the readers attention. Now we are hoping that he will continue plying his trade by treating his readers to another book in the the not too distant future. Thumbs up on this one. A most entertaining story and extremely well written.
We became aware of this book through a family member. Once my wife and I started reading it we quickly got caught up in the plot and found ourselves anxiously awaiting the next mis-adventure that the characters became involved in. We were impressed by Bryans skill in develping his characters. We understood that this was the authors first book and must say that Bryan certainly demonstrated his skill in framing the story in such a way as to capture the readers attention. Now we are hoping that he will continue plying his trade by treating his readers to another book in the the not too distant future. Thumbs up on this one. A most entertaining story and extremely well written.
Great weekend escape read
What’s not to like about this sweet story by author Bryan Fagan. The characters and story lines are so relatable to anyone who has gone thru changes in their life growing up and navigating relationships. It will have you laughing to yourself and going Ah ha as you can see yourself, or someone you know in these characters and situations. Once started you wont want to put it down, which makes it a great weekend read. Very enjoyable and shareable with friends and family. Don’t miss out on this one!
What’s not to like about this sweet story by author Bryan Fagan. The characters and story lines are so relatable to anyone who has gone thru changes in their life growing up and navigating relationships. It will have you laughing to yourself and going Ah ha as you can see yourself, or someone you know in these characters and situations. Once started you wont want to put it down, which makes it a great weekend read. Very enjoyable and shareable with friends and family. Don’t miss out on this one!
Excellent slice-of-life story, great characters
A very enjoyable read – the characters were well-developed and easy to root for. The story is relatable, and funny. The characters evolve and mature over the course of their journey, and their bonds with each other are heartwarming and true-to-life. Excellent novel!
A very enjoyable read – the characters were well-developed and easy to root for. The story is relatable, and funny. The characters evolve and mature over the course of their journey, and their bonds with each other are heartwarming and true-to-life. Excellent novel!
Great story!!
This book was a good read. It was one of those where it starts off not quite sure what is going to happen but the author transforms each character into someone you can associate with. Very interesting how different life happenings and situations can bring you back to reality and appreciate the power of self worth.
I would recommend this book to anyone and looking forward to his next novel!!
This book was a good read. It was one of those where it starts off not quite sure what is going to happen but the author transforms each character into someone you can associate with. Very interesting how different life happenings and situations can bring you back to reality and appreciate the power of self worth.
I would recommend this book to anyone and looking forward to his next novel!!
Exciting, action-packed, and heartbreaking… Recommended for readers who like character-heavy stories, a unique author voice, and a touch of whimsy.