A mid-life crisis novel that reads like a Beat romp: think Kerouac, in his 50s, cooped up & caring for his dad Blend of fiction and philosophy with plain-spoken voice makes accessible, interesting, entertaining general reading Has demonstrated consistent sales growth in CDN & US sales David, though past its reviewing season, generated considerable interest from librarians, booksellers, professors, and the NPR staff at BEA NPR is interested in having Ray review/write essays for their website Fast-moving, funny read that is thoughtful and poppy Ray is Ray: funny, crude, philosophical, engaging. Hard-drinking, loud-talking, down-to-earth guy. Will appeal to same. The rejuvenating power of music is a big theme for Ray (as is mental illness/coping with death). Non-fiction angle could be taken on crossover music-arts programming, esp. for radio and/or magazines A good talker. This is the white guy with the handlebar moustache who in the past 8 months went on every black radio program that asked him to for David, whether they were religious shows or wanting to talk about the history of slavery. He kicked ass every time.