Booty Nomad [Hardcover]

Scott Mebus (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yet another hollow Nick Hornby knock-off, Mebus's charm-impaired first novel tells the story of David, a 20-something living in Manhattan who spends most of his time trying to get over his last girlfriend (the Eater of Souls, as he dubs her) while simultaneously looking for a new soul mate ("You need to find another love of your life to eventually screw over"). During the day, David pretends to work at a children's television show, but spends most of his time worrying about his fantasy baseball team. At home in his tiny apartment, he taps away at a screenplay ("I think I would be a fantastic screenwriter"), and every once in a while he practices his electric guitar by jamming through the wall with his neighbor. But for the most part David obsesses about women, the one he can't forget (his ex) and this week's girl of his dreams (the Goddess, who is on the rebound herself). Meanwhile, David's friends slack off at their own jobs, drag David to strip clubs and somehow still find time to ask the important questions concerning men and women: "You gonna get some?" Staccato pacing, tired references (Victoria's Secret, hot yoga chicks) and unfunny gags will lose most readers, despite occasional flashes of sharp urban observation. Mebus strives for naughty wryness, but winds up just sounding callow.
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From Booklist

In this would-be Bridget Jones for guys, an everyman is mired in a job he doesn't like (producer for a puppet show); he can't even get anywhere in his fantasy baseball league; and he can't begin to convince his crazy ex-girlfriend to stop calling him. But then he meets "The Goddess," a beautiful, witty, and elusive woman who sets his heart afire, and it looks like things might turn around--if he could only remember her name. Naturally, his adoration of the Goddess doesn't prevent him from fooling around with a coworker or fantasizing about "Bendy Girl," who has been brought on to teach yoga to puppets. The comedic star of the book is the sidekick, Jim, who chases after Goth girls on the Internet (a habit that has hilarious consequences) and tries desperately to get fired from his job so he can collect unemployment. Though the novel is marred by awkward plot devices and gags that fall flat, it proves to have a surprisingly big heart (and the slapstick is often very funny). John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Miramax (February 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401352049
• ISBN-13: 978-1401352042
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,129,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars no there there, February 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Booty Nomad (Hardcover)

I thought this book would be light and funny and at first I was into it. The best scenes are the ones that open the book. Unfortunately, as the story goes on the main character and his puppet show become first tiresome, then irritating. The women especially are just cardboard figures and you wind up not caring who the guy hooks up with. Also the book starts to seem like an endless slog. I have to admit, I finally gave up about two thirds of the way through it. In the end, there just isn't enough wit to sustain an entire book. It's like listening to a standup comedian who has 5 minutes of funny material but won't let you leave the club even though his act has run dry.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Funny at Times but not Worth the Trouble, April 19, 2004

By 

John Standiford (Cypress, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Booty Nomad (Hardcover)

I'm not sure the world needs a male version of Bridget Jones. That's especially true when you consider that the Bridget character had more going for her than the main protagonist in this book named David. For that matter, the same could be said for all the characters in this book who are all self-centered, clueless and without ambition.

Of course not all is bad; the book has some excellent insights and can be very funny in spots. The main character's work as a producer for a children's puppet show proved to be a great source for laughs and his infatuation with a co-worker was insightful. Unfortunately, the focus was on David's pathetic lovelife outside of work with a collection of women who he only remembered by nickname.

I'll skip trying to explain the plot of the book because there wasn't one of any substance. This is a book that is about as significant as a television sitcom. It was funny in spots and entertaining every once in awhile, but you could spend your time so much more productively. I'll give this writer another chance because he can be funny, but I hope he will spend some energy on characters who aren't as pathetic.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LEARNING TO PLAY THE DATING GAME, July 8, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Booty Nomad (Audio Cassette)

Scott Mebus joins the roster of authors penning the sad love life of guys (think Bernie Jones rather than Bridget). If you liked Love Monkey, this book's for you. It's funny, contemporary and, at times, poignant. In addition, it's given a reading by Mark Feuerstein that'll make guys want to be his pal and girls offer him comfort.

Protagonist David is a pretty ordinary guy with a job he doesn't particularly like, and a string of relationships that started in high gear and soon ground to a discouraging end. He's not at all sure of his ability to find the right girl for him.......then "The Goddess" enters his line of vision.

She's perfect in every way. But, how to woo her? How to win her? And therein lies this thoroughly enjoyable story. A must for all guys and gals playing the singles dating game.

- Gail Cooke