What Fitz is unable to articulate, both to himself and to others, is that deep in his core, he simply wants loving bonds with people who appreciate him and a small measure of peace amid an otherwise chaotic world.
Following an argument with his overbearing wife and an ugly scene with his insensitive boss, Fitz reluctantly accepts a recommendation from his malcontent colleague to seek help from an unorthodox, yet surprisingly effective self-trained therapist. Armed with the therapist's customized ''game plan,'' Fitz is challenged to deal with a series of unexpected life-changing events. He learns to face adversity, himself and his demons.
During his introspective journey, Fitz manages to bump up against basic adult fears - he will not find love; his life has no meaning; his employer will discover that he is easily dispensable; he will never fulfill his dreams; and risk-taking usually leads to unrecoverable harm. Along his path, Fitz encounters a memorable cast of quirky friends, each serving a meaningful purpose as he bravely attempts to grow through his experiences.
Nice Average Guy is a humorous and thought-provoking blend of joy and sorrow. It has been aptly described as a richly entertaining, fictional self-help book. As a commentator noted, ''Nice Average Guy works because Mansour has a rarified ability to balance his insight of a deeply humane take on life with a fair amount of goofy fun, tenderness, empathy, and humor.''
