A Thinking Man's Bully

Review Adelberg taps a headline-grabbing, hot-button issue in his debut about a New Jersey man realizing the ramifications of his former violent behavior on friends and family... Readers will be enlightened by this capable, contemporary drama about the life of a repentant tyrant and his attempts to save his son. The author, a reformed high school troublemaker, offers a fresh perspective on bullying by seamlessly intertwining the actions, the results, and the lasting consequences of brutality into a story brimming with personality and narrative brio. Publishers WeeklyIn these confessions of a super-creep, high hilarity alternates with the sad lowdown on a grown-up boy who makes believe he s macho... a darkly terrific delight. Kirkus ReviewsThe material in A Thinking Man's Bully is certainly heavy, but it's leavened with deadpan humor and wry observations that make for a highly engaging, bittersweet read, not unlike paging through an old yearbook or a family photo album. Additionally, Adelberg's straightforward prose works the minor miracle of balancing bluntness and nuance as he examines difficult and complex issues throughout the proceedings. All told, A Thinking Man's Bully is a superb debut. Small Press Reviews Adelberg s punchy prose propels the work forward. Delving into a litany of teen tribulations unrequited crushes, ugly fights, drug use Adelberg pens realistic fiction that avoids cloying nostalgia.--BooklistA perfectly painted mix of dark and light, amusement and pain, guilt, wisdom and innocence... The 190 pages of this book race past, each short story complete, each analysis intriguing and revealing, each twist in the plot perfectly timed. I couldn t put it down and recommend it highly a uniquely structured novel whose arrangement perfectly fits its tale.--Cafe LibriTold in a combination of therapy sessions and memories-turned-short stories, A Thinking Man's Bully is most powerful for its realism. The reader may find herself flipping back to the copyright page to confirm that, yes, this is a fiction, not a memoir... Adelberg's true triumph lies in the reliability of his narrator. He recalls his childhood as a time of both the good and the bad, along with intentions that we can both applaud and condemn, all the while rooting for his success. --The Broken Pencil Michael Adelberg s straight forward prose pulls no punches as it dredges up the painful memories of growing up, fitting in and doing the right thing... Through discussion, reflection and attrition, Mathew Duffy confronts years of guilt for the kid he was, takes responsibility for the kid he s raising, and learns to appreciate that sometimes through tragedy, a stronger and better self can emerge. A Thinking Man's Bully aims high and hits the mark.--BookFetish.orgMatt Duffy is going to a shrink because his wife asked him to after the suicide attempt of their teenage son... What emerges is a culture of bullying, passed from generation to generation, that had a dark and long reaching effect on many lives, not just Matt's. A fascinating character study told in a very unique way that I just can't stop thinking about--there is profound depth in this seemingly simple book.--Jackie Blem of The Tattered Cover, a nationally-recognized independent book storeRecommended for young adult readers... Teens will appreciate Adelberg s easy-to-read high-school ruminations and insights. --Katharine Fronk, for the American Library Association -- --American Library AssociationAdelberg s punchy prose propels the work forward. Delving into a litany of teen tribulations unrequited crushes, ugly fights, drug use Adelberg pens realistic fiction that avoids cloying nostalgia.--BooklistA perfectly painted mix of dark and light, amusement and pain, guilt, wisdom and innocence... The 190 pages of this book race past, each short story complete, each analysis intriguing and revealing, each twist in the plot perfectly timed. I couldn t put it down and recommend it highly a uniquely structured novel whose arrangement perfectly fits its tale.--Café LibriTold in a combination of therapy sessions and memories-turned-short stories, A Thinking Man's Bully is most powerful for its realism. The reader may find herself flipping back to the copyright page to confirm that, yes, this is a fiction, not a memoir... Adelberg's true triumph lies in the reliability of his narrator. He recalls his childhood as a time of both the good and the bad, along with intentions that we can both applaud and condemn, all the while rooting for his success. --The Broken Pencil --The Broken PencilMichael Adelberg s straight forward prose pulls no punches as it dredges up the painful memories of growing up, fitting in and doing the right thing... Through discussion, reflection and attrition, Mathew Duffy confronts years of guilt for the kid he was, takes responsibility for the kid he s raising, and learns to appreciate that sometimes through tragedy, a stronger and better self can emerge. A Thinking Man's Bully aims high and hits the mark.--BookFetish.orgMatt Duffy is going to a shrink because his wife asked him to after the suicide attempt of their teenage son... What emerges is a culture of bullying, passed from generation to generation, that had a dark and long reaching effect on many lives, not just Matt's. A fascinating character study told in a very unique way that I just can't stop thinking about--there is profound depth in this seemingly simple book.--Jackie Blem of The Tattered Cover, a nationally-recognized independent book storeRecommended for young adult readers... Teens will appreciate Adelberg s easy-to-read high-school ruminations and insights. --Katharine Fronk, for the American Library Association --American Library Association About the Author Michael Adelberg is a (mostly) reformed high school troublemaker and the father of three boys. He is a health policy won