Published: May 22, 2011
Words: 76,188 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780615486116

Short description

A day in the life of neurotic, disgruntled software drone Jack Addington spins out of control when his colorful past clashes with his miserable present revealing to Jack that dumb luck has the power to overshadow his futile attempts at perseverance.

Extended description

Jack Addington is stuck. A carefree life wandering the globe has morphed into a monotonous existence working for an oppressive Manhattan-based software company peddling products which destroy the lives of decent people. Jack struggles through soul-sucking affairs with despotic executives and eccentric scientists by mentally projecting himself out of the present and into past adventures. Avoidance, however, is temporary, and it does not take long for his overly medicated mind to lose perspective, causing him to act increasingly irrational in a brutally rational world. Jack attempts to reconnect to reality through the guidance of a colorful group of 'advisers', but, a bleak situation continues to spin out of control despite his best efforts. Ultimately for Jack, a slice of contentment is found only when luck stands amid the rubble of his failed attempts at perseverance. Sharply satirical, funny and painfully honest, Where's Unimportant is a snapshot of one man's failed attempt at the A.. (Read more) Jack Addington is stuck. A carefree life wandering the globe has morphed into a monotonous existence working for an oppressive Manhattan-based software company peddling products which destroy the lives of decent people. Jack struggles through soul-sucking affairs with despotic executives and eccentric scientists by mentally projecting himself out of the present and into past adventures. Avoidance, however, is temporary, and it does not take long for his overly medicated mind to lose perspective, causing him to act increasingly irrational in a brutally rational world. Jack attempts to reconnect to reality through the guidance of a colorful group of 'advisers', but, a bleak situation continues to spin out of control despite his best efforts. Ultimately for Jack, a slice of contentment is found only when luck stands amid the rubble of his failed attempts at perseverance. Sharply satirical, funny and painfully honest, Where's Unimportant is a snapshot of one man's failed attempt at the American Dream.
(Less)

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

adventure travel, recreational drug use, new york life, disgruntled software worker, failed american dream

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.

Format	Full Book	Sample First 20%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	Download sample
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Buy	Download sample

Reviews

Log-in to write a Review   Log-in to add a Video Review

Review by: John Zunski on Nov. 01, 2011 :
If you're looking for warm fuzzies, don't stop here. If you're looking for a thought provoking read that peels back multiple layers of skin and exposes a raw nerve or two, Where's Unimportant is for you.

This psychological story isn't the fastest paced, nor is it a 'perfect' book, but it does create numerous images which linger well after the story is finished.

Daniel Shortell has succeeded in creating a memorable work.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: James Wallace Birch on Sep. 06, 2011 :
Where's Unimportant is a dark and disturbing ride that plunges the reader into the depths of a psyche addled by the drugery of everyday American life.

I enjoyed Where's Unimportant. It is a thought provoking book, and being in the same age range and having a similar upbringing to Jack, the main character, I felt like I was reading about a friend. Where's Unimportant is painfully honest and it forces the reader to reflect on their own life and to wonder about what's important. If you're looking for a book that really makes you think or one that pulls back the veneer of the world today, Where's Unimportant is the perfect read. If, however, you're looking for action-packed then Where's Unimportant might not be for you. The pacing is a little slow toward the middle. This didn't bother me, as I saw this book operating on a different level, but it may some.

This thought-provoking book empowers the reader to step back and reflect on their own decisions, the direction of their life, and what it all means, while watching Jack fall apart. It is a rather disturbing read but one well worth it!


Warning: I wouldn't read it right before bed. I read one convo Jack has with a woman on a train during his travels right before sleep and it gave me a nightmare!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Reason for report:
— Select a reason — Book is or contains spam Book infringes copyright Same content is published elsewhere with different author (for ex., by private-label rights) Duplicate Incomplete work (such as sample or serial) Should be marked adults-only Category is inappropriate Poorly formatted Nudity or other inappropriate content on cover Nudity or other inappropriate visual content in book Inappropriate erotica content Cover image is improper Content is inappropriate Other violation of Terms of Service Other reason not shown above.

Additional details: