Review by Frances019 -- Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a...

[Frannie Annie]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life" by Lewis Kempfer.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life by Lewis Kempfer is a memoir about a man who is not living a happy life. From childhood to early adulthood, to the present as a middle-aged man, his life is full of bad luck and crappy choices. Woven into this story are his brief encounters with God, which finally changed him for the better as he mentions in his introduction.

Despite the depressing content on its pages, I had a fun time reading this book. What I liked most is the author's blend of honesty and dark, self-deprecating humor. I once read online that "there is something alluring about dark humor done right" and I would have to agree. I hope I can incorporate something like this into my own style of writing and speaking. There was only one typo, so I would say the editing appears professional.

Despite being written from a Christian point of view, this book doesn't belong on a devotional shelf. About 90% of it covers the author's ceaseless search for love and validation, which in his case included countless gay hookups and hard drug use. Maybe 10% is about encounters with God, and how He has changed this man's life in the present. The novel paints an immersive picture of its writer's life, but may not be suitable for those who want a more uplifting story. I'm not going to say that this book is unsuitable for Christians since it does provide an interesting perspective on how a gay man with bad experiences can perceive church. However, people should know what they're walking into with this book. People who don't want to read graphic scenes about sex and drugs may not enjoy this novel.

I couldn't find anything I disliked, but I will admit some parts of the story were hard to read. The author makes it very clear that his life is a train wreck, and he is excellent at describing his experiences and environment. This almost works to his detriment as I read through his soul-crushingly depressing childhood. Since children rarely have control over their circumstances, this part was the hardest for me to stomach. I also cringed at several points during his adult life as he made the same bad choices over and over again, but the author makes it funny by creatively calling out his own mistakes.

Overall, I rate this book a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this to anyone who finds the author's never-ending craving for love and fulfillment relatable, as I did.

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Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life
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[JKO]

I look forward to seeing how the man's encounter with God changes his life for the better. This is an excellent review.

[Frannie Annie]

I look forward to seeing how the man's encounter with God changes his life for the better. This is an excellent review.

Thanks! Who knows, maybe he'll talk more about it in the sequel.

[kandscreeley]

I'm interested in a book that combines Christianity with dark humor. A little dark humor, done right, can spice up a story. I'm curious how he overcame all of the issues in his life. Thanks!

[khaulah]

Im sure many people would find the craving for validation relatable. I certainly do. Thank you for your review!

[Aan Granados]

I'm not keen to read this because of the negativity of the author. I believe that if you think you are a failure, then you will be a failure. Thanks for your review.

[Drado_27]

I've been through some hard times recently, so seeing that someone else is struggling as well makes me feel less alone. I'll definitely put this book on my to-read list.

[Hazel Arnaiz]

Despite being written from a Christian point of view, this book doesn't belong on a devotional shelf.

I appreciate the recommendation. Thanks for the review!