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 My American Unhappiness

 by Dean Bakopoulos

(with a little Love, Actually thrown in, for good 

 measure)

From Dean:

When I teach fiction writing, I often dust off my

DVD of   Love, Actually (it resides in the

basement with the Christmas decorations) and

show it to my students. I do this at a point in the

semester when the workshop room has grown

tired of the quiet and painfully self-aware

characters that dominate student fiction. Like allromantic comedies,  Love, Actually adheres

perfectly to the three-act filmic structure (which

I’ve dubbed Trouble, Big Trouble, and Big Big

Trouble), a structure useful for aspiring novelists

to learn. But it also features a gaggle of 

characters that energize a narrative.

Here’s how they do it: Love is a balancing act.

Love does not happen without people who are willing to act on impulse; the first kiss, the first roll in the

hay, or the first  I love you. On top of such impulses, romantic relationships always include good peoplemaking colossal mistakes (often because of said impulses). Even the most likable characters get boring

when they behave appropriately. At least a dozen times in Love, Actually, I can point to scenes that work 

because characters are acting upon or resisting an impulse; I can point to an endless list of interesting

mistakes that raise the narrative to a multi-pronged fever pitch. Because this is a Hollywood blockbuster,

 Love, Actually is full of happy endings, but it manages to reach these happy endings by giving us

characters that seem way more complicated (because of those impulses and mistakes we witness) than

your average blockbuster ensemble film.

 My American Unhappiness is about a character, Zeke Pappas, who is so deluded that he can barely

function in the world. He does act on impulse, almost obsessively, and he does make a million mistakes in

his romantic, professional, and familial relationships. Why? Mostly because he’s fueled by a desire to

heal a long-broken heart, which seems increasingly fragile as he moves through his thirties. Everything

breaks his heart, again and again — shopping malls, sunsets, summer dresses. And we all know there is no

cure for the broken heart, right?

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Well, there is one: it’s love, actually. Zeke may never find it. But one senses, I hope, that he’s incapable

of giving up the hunt.

 — Dean Bakopoulos 

 Reading Group Guide

Introduction 

―Why are you so unhappy?‖ That’s the question that Zeke Pappas— a thirty-three-year-old widower and

scholar who directs the Great Midwestern Humanities Initiative — asks almost everybody he meets as part

of an obsessive project, ―The Inventory of American Unhappiness.‖ Yet he remains delightfully oblivious

to the increasingly harsh realities that threaten his own life, opting instead to focus his energy on finding

the perfect mate. Following steps outlined in the women’s magazine, Simply You — and the seductive

 promise of being ―head over heels (or engaged!) by the summer‖— the ever-optimistic Zeke identifies

some ―prospects‖: a newly divorced neighbor, a Starbuck’s barista, his administrative assistant, and SofiaCoppola (―why not aim high?‖). A clairvoyant when it comes to the Starbucks orders of strangers, a

quixotic renegade when it comes to federal bureaucracy, a loving and jocular uncle when it comes to his

twin nieces, a devoted believer in the afternoon cocktail and the evening binge, Zeke’s irreverence is

underscored by a creeping paranoia and made more urgent by the hope that if only he can find a wife, he

might have a second chance at life.

Discussion Questions 

1. Zeke’s story, though universal in its sense of loss and loneliness, is woven tightly into the experience of 

midwestern Americans during the post-9/11 ―Dubya‖ years. What kinds of cues does the author use to

create a sense of time and place in the novel? Do you think it would have worked equally well set in

another part of the country, or in another era?

2. Zeke muses, ―Everybody seems happy through a window‖ (p. 30). Do you agree or disagree with this

sentiment? Discuss how the novel offers a different kind of window through which to view the characters’

happiness or unhappiness. When the novel opens, does Zeke seem happy or unhappy? In what ways is the

novel his own answer to his question, ―Why are you so unhappy?‖ 

3. Compare and contrast the battle waged by Zeke’s brother Cougar who fought and died in the post-9/11

invasion of Iraq, with Zeke’s anti-war protests and his work in the humanities. Do you think  it’s fair tosay that both brothers are fighting for something important, an ideal, or a way of life? What do you make

of Zeke’s definition of and distinction between art and the humanities on page 139? 

4. ―The Starbucks Challenge‖ is a small ritual Zeke enacts daily both for Minn’s entertainment and

perhaps to mitigate his own increasing unhappiness. Identify and discuss other ways that characters in the

novel seek to alleviate their unhappiness, if only briefly.

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5. Does Zeke’s description of the American condition on pages 45 – 47 strike you as familiar, or is Zeke,

as his assistant Lara suggests, just convincing his subjects (and you the reader) of their unhappiness? Do

you think the very act of asking, ―Why are you so unhappy?‖ can influence a response so profoundly as to

turn a positive outlook into a negative one? Why or why not?

6. Why aren’t Mack and Joseph excited about Zeke’s announcement that he’s getting married? Do you

think the pronouncement would have been received differently if Zeke were a woman, given that the

advice he’s following comes from a women’s magazine? Do you think it’s more socially acceptable for a

woman to be on the hunt for a mate? Identify other ways that Zeke’s character defies stereotypes of the

midwestern male in this novel.

7. When Zeke’s mother has to choose whether to make her son happy or do what’s best for her 

granddaughters, April and May, she decides she should get custody of the girls. How do you feel about

her decision? What would you do?

8. My American Unhappiness in some ways seeks to illuminate the nation’s post-9/11 malaise, a

temporary insanity and depression that affected people more deeply, Zeke might argue, than they’re even

aware. On a microcosmic level, Zeke’s family suffers a post-9/11 transformation as well with the death of 

his father, brother, and wife all within a short period of time following the attacks. Discuss how Zeke’s

sense of identity is influenced by his nuclear family (parents and brother) and compare and contrast that

to his role in his post-9/11 family (mother and nieces).

9. Valerie, Zeke’s missing and presumed-dead wife, haunts more than half the novel before reappearing.

How much of this incident has affected Zeke’s ability to pursue and maintain a relationship in his post -

Valerie life? What else might be holding him back from asking out Minn, Lara, or Elizabeth prior to his

mother’s ultimatum? 

10. Pages 249 –250 contain a kind of rant about Zeke’s frustration that Americans are only interested in

the story of themselves. Discuss his diatribe in the context of his misguided attempts to connect with the

women in his life. Additionally, what do you make of the chapter titles in light of this criticism?

11. The last scene of the novel leaves the reader, literally, with a ray of hope. What meaning do you think 

the author intended for you to take away from this ending? Was it enough to lift the mood of the novel,which essentially spirals downward as Zeke’s life and rationality fall apart? 

12. What would your response to ―Why are you so unhappy?‖ be? Try writing an answer as though you

were responding on the project’s website and then share these with each other. 

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Twitter chat with Dean, June 14, 2011 deanbakopoulos And watch "Love Actually". And cry like a baby. Don't wait for X-mas! #FRBookClub -

10:01 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Also: one last note about "unlikable" narrators. No one is likable when they tell you

everything. And Zeke does that.#FRBookClub -10:00 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Also, check out www.deanbakopoulos.com for more info

about @deanbakopoulos. #noirony #frbookclub -10:00 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Zeke is so hyper-aware of pop culture, literature, politics, etc. He can't stop talking about

it. It's all he understands.#FRBookClub -9:58 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos One of the things I hope is clear about Zeke: He panics. The things he says and does as

novel goes on are not his "true" self... #FRBookClub -9:56 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I answered that brother question below. But Cougar is focused, clear. Zeke's desires are

so congested by TOO MUCH reflection. #FRBookClub -9:55 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg @deanbakopoulos And yet FB makes you feel like a loser when not included in events orpictures (esp for teens/tweens) #frbookclub -9:54 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Zeke is out of touch with his roots. Again, something authentic that he has no part of...as

the kid of immigrants, I relate#FRBookClub -9:54 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @hhharlow @deanbakopoulos I love LOVE, ACTUALLY too -- own DVD and a digi-

copy. #alanrickmanftw#frbookclub -9:54 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @hhharlow I teach that movie in fiction classes. My colleagues think I am

nuts. #FRBookClub -9:53 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @bookred custody is the magic bullet for Zeke. The only authentic thing he can think to

do in a world of fake emotions#FRBookClub -9:53 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos "Traditional quest structure" -- and Zeke certainly tilts at a few

windmills! #frbookclub -9:53 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hhharlow @deanbakopoulos I LOVE that movie. I believe I own two copies on DVDsomehow. #FRBookClub -9:52 PM Jun 14th, 2011 

deanbakopoulos Yet we all self-narrate. Only way to feel as if we're doing something that matters. FB is a

way to say "I'm no loser!"#FRBookClub -9:52 PM Jun 14th, 2011

bookred @deanbakopoulos So custody is just one more unattainable dream? #frbookclub -9:52 PM Jun

14th, 2011

thebookmaven One of the most ironic things about the novel, to me, was how disconnected Zeke is from

his ethnic background.#frbookclub -9:52 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I also love to watch romantic comedies. They're so well-crafted. "Love Actually" may be

one of the finest films ever. Seriously. #FRBookClub -9:51 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Self-narration, a social disease.#frbookclub -9:50 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Re: chick lit. Yes, I borrowed from chick lit structure. It's a perfect, traditional quest

structure. #FRBookClub -9:50 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos It's a self-referential culture. We narrate ourselves. They read like Facebook statuses,

which read like British novel chaps#FRBookClub -9:50 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @BHoNeg Our generation has been lied too. We believed in dreams, special

purposes,mystical callings. Life's way harder than that #FRBookClub -9:49 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Also, let's touch briefly on your chapter titles. Very British Novel of 

you! #frbookclub -9:49 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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deanbakopoulos Ultimately, Zeke's love 4 the nieces cannot save him. It'd be 2 easy. Kids can't save you.

If/when u think they can, ur screwed. #FRBookClub -9:48 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Dean, did you ever answer @hhharlow's question re "chick lit?" Just

wondering... #frbookclub -9:48 PM Jun 14th, 2011

trkravtin @bookred @thebookmaven #unhappiest Flying ANYWHERE is certainly no fun

anymore. #FRbookclub -9:46 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos relationships w/kids r-not subject to scrutiny. We wish 4 better spouses, bosses, pals,

parents, but love kids unconditionally #FRBookClub -9:46 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos The joy of his nieces does galvanize Zeke -- but only in an ineffectual

way... (no spoilers, I promise!).#frbookclub -9:46 PM Jun 14th, 2011

icylett On my #istillpayforbooks, without prompt! RT @TFCHooligan69: I am #unhappiest when

someone tells me I should stop buying books.#frbookclub -9:46 PM Jun 14th, 2011

bookred @thebookmaven #unhappiest going through security at airport. Happy when I get to the

gate. #frbookclub -9:45 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Yes, Zeke loves his nieces. They are a joy that doesn't need to be examined to see how it

could be better. "If only..."#FRBookClub -9:45 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg @deanbakopoulos Do you think this is because his generation had been told that they have to

be/want/have the best/newest?#frbookclub -9:44 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos I'm sort of amazed Zeke is able to actually experience love for his

nieces, yet he does. #frbookclub -9:43 PM Jun 14th, 2011

ShellieHipsky @TFCHooligan69 Don't do it. Keep buying books. Those who don't and suggest that- are

 just intimated by your IQ!:)#FRBookClub #frbookclub -9:43 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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deanbakopoulos @TFCHooligan69 Never stop buying books. Start buying them right now. By the dozen.

I have a suggested title.#FRBookClub -9:43 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Zeke's generation (also mine) can only articulate unhappiness/disdain, not real desire,authentic want #FRBookClub -9:42 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Zeke is surrounded by a family with desires they can articulate. Zeke can't articulate an

authentic desire nor can his subjects#FRBookClub -9:42 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hidingout2 #frbookclub #unhappiest when i, ironically, think about my 'what ifs' -9:41 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg @thebookmaven #frbookclub #unhappiest when I realize the world is passing me by and I can't

stop the ride -9:41 PM Jun 14th, 2011

ShellieHipsky @ShellieHipsky "...trusts they'll find him charming + brilliant. Shocked when they don't."

Feel like I know him! #FRBookClub#frbookclub -9:41 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BookingIt @TFCHooligan69 Good answer :-). #unhappiest #frbookclub -9:41 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos His brother's death is a source of buried guilt. He is beginning to believe he actually

stands for nothing, it's too much 4 him#FRBookClub -9:40 PM Jun 14th, 2011

TFCHooligan69 @thebookmaven I am #unhappiest when someone tells me I should stop buying

books. #frbookclub -9:40 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hhharlow @deanbakopoulos Oh, do people still read that old rag? I hadn't noticed... #FRBookClub -9:40

PM Jun 14th, 2011 

deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven Yes, Cougar sees a mission and attacks it literally. He goes to war.

Zeke could never decide on something so real #FRBookClub -9:40 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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kareby #frbookclub When my alarm rings at 5:15am! #unhappiest -9:40 PM Jun 14th, 2011

KerrySchafer TRAGIC. RT @thebookmaven: #imunhappiestwhen there is no half and half for my

coffee... #frbookclub -9:39 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @graycf  I will read you like a book. A short, formulaic book. ( : #FRBookClub -9:39

PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Tell the #frbookclub: When are YOU #unhappiest? I'm loving the answers... -9:39 PM Jun

14th, 2011

Bellanieve When I c a problem that can easily b solved /ignored & diminished by idiots!

RT @thebookmaven When are YOU #unhappiest?#frbookclub -9:38 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @ShellieHipsky Zeke trusts way too many people, trusts they'll find him charming and

brilliant. Shocked when they don't.#FRBookClub -9:38 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @graycf  Dean/Zeke would know that I wanted to scarf the entire display of milk-choc-

covered graham crackers...#frbookclub -9:38 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven A slightly more serious topic, Dean: You gave Zeke a brother, cougar -- couldn't be more

different! #frbookclub -9:37 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven exactly. We're an "if only" culture. We use the phrase "if only" way too

much. #FRBookClub -9:37 PM Jun 14th, 2011

graycf  I'm too intimidated to ever go into a Starbucks with you, Dean, err Zeke. #FRBookClub -9:37 PM

Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @hhharlow Charmed? Oh. If only you reviewed books for the NY

Times! #FRBookClub -9:36 PM Jun 14th, 2011 

deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven Zeke is mostly aware of strangers' "nooks & crannies." His gift's

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assessing superficial unhappiness, finding depth #FRBookClub -9:36 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos We SHOULD just be satisfied with disease-free water, yet we lust after

flavored syrups... #frbookclub -9:36 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hidingout2 @deanbakopoulos we have all had jobs like Zeke, it seems. :) i myself started as a waitress.

Don' t most young peeps #frbookclub -9:35 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hhharlow @deanbakopoulos I'm charmed. #FRBookClub -9:34 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Regarding coffee and half/half: So much of our unhappiness is based on inadequate

beverages. A problem of privilege?#FRBookClub -9:34 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos @hhharlow HA! #frbookclub -9:34 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg @deanbakopoulos I think those "happy people" are public liars. Everyone has something that

makes them unhappy #frbookclub -9:33 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @hhharlow Oh, I certainly do! It's more emotionally evocative to base relationships on

elevated rhetoric, Ms. Harlow! #FRBookClub -9:33 PM Jun 14th, 2011 

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos The amazing thing is that Zeke is so acutely aware of others, right

down to their nooks and crannies.#frbookclub -9:33 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos On disdain: I think we have trouble articulating our unhappiness and focus on petty

annoyances. Those point to larger issues. #FRBookClub -9:32 PM Jun 14th, 2011

nivermoore ...or when there is NO coffee. #tragedy RT@thebookmaven: #imunhappiestwhen there is no

half and half for my coffee... #frbookclub -9:32 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hhharlow @deanbakopoulos Please tell me you talk as formally as Zeke sometimes does in real

life. #FRBookClub -9:32 PM Jun 14th, 2011 

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deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven Annoying? Yes, Zeke acts on impulse so much, he can be a real jerk.

He has no filter or self-awareness.#FRBookClub -9:31 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Dean, the disdain...is that what Zeke's entire office/project is based on? #frbookclub -9:31

PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @BHoNeg I don't think most people worth knowing are happy all the time. My favorite

people are damaged and lack clarity.#FRBookClub -9:31 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven #imunhappiestwhen there is no half and half for my coffee... #frbookclub -9:30 PM Jun

14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @lulu_bella I'm starting to get a lot of e-mails about unhappiness. It's a bit exhausting,

but also thrillingly voyeuristic.#FRBookClub -9:30 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Well, Zeke also has some annoying parts, LOL... #frbookclub -9:29

PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg @deanbakopoulos But do you think that people are really, truly happy and

grounded? #frbookclub -9:29 PM Jun 14th, 2011

marisabirns @deanbakopoulos So Miller High Life, eh. Bud Light is what I've had. And that makes me

unhappy. #FRBookClub -9:29 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos And 2008 was a bad year for me. Like Zeke. Like most of us. #FRBookClub -9:29 PM

Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven Well, I like to think the endearing parts of Zeke are the parts that are

me. I've had jobs like Zeke has...#FRBookClub -9:29 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos No. Often the people Zeke "pities" are actually happy and grounded. This is a problem of 

contemporary intellectuals. Disdain. #FRBookClub -9:28 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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lulu_bella @deanbakopoulos Has the American Unhappiness project moved into reality yet? Do you hear

from real people abt their unhappiness? #FRBookClub -9:27 PM Jun 14th, 2011

ShellieHipsky @deanbakopoulos @ShellieHipsky Love it! LOL.#frbookclub -9:27 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Of course, some of your other characters, like Violet, aren't adrift at

all. #frbookclub -9:26 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I love the word adrift. And yearning. I don't think you can have a good novel with adrift

characters yearning. #FRBookClub -9:25 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @thebookmaven Zeke focuses on other people's unhappiness to avoid the increasingly

powerful truth that he's unhappy, adrift #FRBookClub -9:25 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BookingIt @deanbakopoulos Isn't that true of most of us, that's where relationships form! #FRBookClub -

9:24 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos HA! Of COURSE Zeke is lactose intolerant! #frbookclub -9:24 PM Jun

14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @BHoNeg Too much of the book is from my own life. I hate to admit that. Anything

you find funny or endearing is me.#FRBookClub -9:24 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @ShellieHipsky Triple shot roomy americano. He's lactose intolerant. #FRBookClub -

9:23 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Well, you'll note that all of Zeke's relationships are "forced" ones: co-workers, baristas,

booksellers, neighbors, family.#FRBookClub -9:22 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven So, @deanbakopoulos, why did Zeke decide to focus on what makes people

unhappy? #frbookclub -9:22 PM Jun 14th, 2011

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ShellieHipsky What is Zeke's regular order at Starbucks? :) #frbookclub -9:22 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Ah, a controlled environment...poor Zeke. Isn't that what an office

should be? #frbookclub -9:21 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BookingIt @deanbakopoulos OK, I'm intrigued by that statement. It hasn't come clear quite yet (page

70). #FRBookClub -9:20 PM Jun 14th, 2011

BHoNeg How much of the book is drawn from your own life?#frbookclub -9:20 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Because Starbucks is a controlled environment for Zeke. There are rules of engagement

there, structured socializing.#FRBookClub -9:19 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @graycf  I think Zeke's so wounded he can't process the social cues the rest of us can

process. Unless he's at Starbucks...#FRBookClub -9:19 PM Jun 14th, 2011

graycf  Dean, do you consider Zeke a bit of a savant? #FRBookClub.#FRBookClub -9:18 PM Jun 14th,

2011

deanbakopoulos Someone asked about males "doing too much." Yes, men like Zeke are often quixotic

problem solvers who fail to solve problems. #FRBookClub -9:17 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven For those who haven't seen the YouTube channel@permanentpaper mentioned, here it

is: http://tinyurl.com/3b9vkd7#frbookclub -9:16 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Exhaustion is a powerful narrative force, actually.#FRBookClub -9:16 PM Jun 14th,

2011

deanbakopoulos In producing the short films, my wife edited them so they ended just as the character

became exhausted. #FRBookClub -9:16 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I wanted these monologues to come to life. They were Zeke's backdrop and I found some

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great actors to help me take them off-page #FRBookClub -9:15 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @permanentpaper Yes, @deanbakopoulos, tell us more about the YouTube channel; we

can talk about UNHAPPINESS... ;)#frbookclub -9:14 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos @lulu_bella it's problematic if you don't laugh sometimes...I'm glad you are

laughing #FRBookClub -9:13 PM Jun 14th, 2011

ShellieHipsky ...What do you feel the biggest difference between the non-fiction authors and fiction

writers' marketing plans should be?#frbookclub -9:12 PM Jun 14th, 2011

permanentpaper @thebookmaven I'm fascinated by @deanbakopoulos making his character a YouTube

channel! Could you tell us more about that? #FRBookClub -9:12 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @beckyzh Yes, but Zeke is also coming apart at the seams. I thought, is this a sort of 

male's-eye view of "doing too much?"#frbookclub -9:11 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I think that chick lit novels and romantic comedies have wonderful traditional structures.

I borrowed from the form.#FRBookClub -9:11 PM Jun 14th, 2011

hhharlow Hi, Dean! Wondering if you in any way set out to write a "chick lit" novel (as well as comic)?

Structurally, etc. #FRBookClub -9:10 PM Jun 14th, 2011 

lulu_bella @deanbakopoulos MY AMERICAN HAPPINESS has definitely made me laugh quite a few

times :) #FRBookClub -9:11 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I wondered, with this novel, what a character might become if everything bad about the

Bush years hit him at once...#FRBookClub -9:10 PM Jun 14th, 2011

beckyzh He is complicated, has a great relationship with his nieces and takes good care of his

mom #FRBookClub -9:10 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I intended it as a comic novel. I was having a bit of a crack-up myself and needed to

7/31/2019 My American Unhappiness by Dean Bakopoulos

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/my-american-unhappiness-by-dean-bakopoulos 14/15

spend my workday laughing#FRBookClub -9:08 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven So Dean, my first question for you: Is MY AMERICAN UNHAPPINESS a comic

novel? #frbookclub -9:07 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos The external pressures of American life after the Bush years have pretty much focused

all their weight at Zeke. #FRBookClub -9:07 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven @deanbakopoulos Complicated, and pretty tough, too -- he's caring for his nieces,

teetering at work... #frbookclub -9:06 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos I think I've worn my heart on my sleeve a bit too much lately. I'm going for stoicism

from here on out. #FRBookClub -9:05 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos But Zeke is a bit delusional. He's refusing to admit that complexity. He's looking for easy

answers (sometimes in sex)#FRBookClub -9:04 PM Jun 14th, 2011

@hidingout2: @deanbakopoulos as person who wears heart on sleeve, after writing the book do you still

feel that way?#FRbookclub -9:04 PM Jun 14th, 2011

deanbakopoulos Zeke is in a spot we've all been in--his life has gotten more complex than he's ever

imagined #FRBookClub -9:03 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Dean, thanks for being here. Tell us a little bit about Zeke and where we find him as your

book begins. #frbookclub -9:02 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven MY AMERICAN UNHAPPINESS is a novel starring one Zeke Pappas, whose life has

gotten a bit, shall we say, complicated...#frbookclub -9:01 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven Evening, all! Welcome to #FRBookClub. We're here with@DeanBakopoulos, author of 

MY AMERICAN UNHAPPINESS from@hmhbooks. #frbookclub -8:59 PM Jun 14th, 2011

thebookmaven In prep for tonight's #FRBookClub w / @DeanBakopoulos, take a look at his character

7/31/2019 My American Unhappiness by Dean Bakopoulos

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/my-american-unhappiness-by-dean-bakopoulos 15/15

Zeke's @YouTube channel:http://t.co/jXzn6sR -8:14 PM Jun 14th, 2011