Misdemeanor Man

by Dylan Schaffer

Book Overview

Gordon Seegerman is a reluctant public defender by day, and the wildly enthusiastic lead singer in a Barry Manilow cover band by night. Perfectly content to handle petty cases for the rest of his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582344604
• ISBN13: 9781582344607
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Misdemeanor Man, A very clever and delightful novel

A very clever and delightful book, just when I thought I knew what the outcome would be, Schaffer threw a curve. I related to the story on two levels, one as a Maryland State District Court employee which handles the misdemeanors as well as traffic and civil cases. I always knew that the situations that we encountered on a daily basis would make a good storyline. Schaffer's use of analogies and explanations of the legal process are very insightful and at times very witty. The lead character, Seegerman's relationships with his family, friends and associates was written realistically. I was especially touched by the letter his mother wrote and the acknowledgement his father gave in reference to "I'm Your Child". I also related to the story as a fan of Barry Manilow. I really loved the way MBM was interspersed throughout the story in a very plausible manner. Schaffer includes quite a few misconceptions of the superstar and in his own words pays homage to the man and his illustrious career. Misdemeanor Man has action, mystery, humor, love, heartache, family illness, murder and all the fun things in life. I can hardly wait to read his next novel. Ann Marsh

i hate legal stories and barry manilow, but....

i am female and therefore have zero, zilch, nada interest in the picayune details of boring grishamania...and yet...i have not put this book down since picking it up this morning. oh, and by the way, i also hate barry manilow, but i am hoping that barry shows up to hear the mandys play! and i want to know if gordon is going to get the girl in the end. screw the legal plot, this is a novel with fun characters and a setting i recognize as real and not "invented" by a writer who glanced out the window of a car one night and made a mental sketch. i live in the city and know the kind of places schaffer is decribing and they ring true.i am a total skeptic and always looking to find fault with everything, and i find only enjoyment here. i really am routing for gordon and i think you will, too.

Funny, riveting, original and highly readable

I read a lot of books and lots of legal thrillers. This one is not like many of the others I've read. It lacks some of the commercial polish of a Grisham or Turow, but it's a lot more readable. Without taking itself too seriously, it manages to be funny (laugh-out-loud funny at times), quirky, enagaging, and exceptionally well written. This is a book that can easily be read over a weekend, but the characters, and your need to know more about them will stay with you long after the book is done. Unfortunately, this is a quick read so you'll be stuck hoping for more soon after you get engrossed. The writing style is reminiscent of Richard Russo (ala Empire Falls & Straight Man) but with a highly self-aware and self-deprecating misdemeanor trial lawyer.By the way, I am a lawyer too and have tried 30-40 misdemeanor trials (not to mention 30-40 felonies) and Schaffer's depiction of courtroom action is as close to reality as I ever remember reading. The Publisher's Weekly review above missed the boat on their analysis.

Now what am I going to read on vacation?

I bought this book to read on vacation but made the mistake of picking it up the other evening. I'm now about 90% of the way done with it and if it wasn't for my dang job I'd be finishing it right now. But while I'm seated at my PC anyhow... I'll review! Now I've got to find something ELSE to read on vacay (feel sorry for me yet?). Think of this book as a combination of adultish Scooby Doo hijinx and a Perry Mason legal thriller except Shaggy/Perry is obsessed with Barry Manilow. So you don't like Manilow? That's okay... I was a little put off by the Manilow connection at first since I'm not a big fan but I can relate to the obsessive nature of the characters (Am I running out to buy an album though? Hmm... I'm at least tempted to borrow one and give Mr. Manilow another chance). The characters are well written and likeable... and the book gets the legal thing in a way that's compelling and funny. As a resident of the SF Bay Area it's also amusing to read about "Santa Rita", a city that's so obviously Oakland yet differs in interesting ways. It keeps you turning the pages, chuckling, guessing, second-guessing and will keep me on the lookout for further adventures!

Mystery & Manilow

Misdemeanor Man is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's interesting, funny, poignant, and a good mystery. Mr. Schaffer presents a main character, Gordy, who shows much respect for Barry, both the man and his music. What a breath of fresh air this book is in its positive Manilow references as Mr. Manilow has been much maligned by so many writers through the years. And it's also terrific to see the author portray a Manilow fan, not as an obsessive nut case, but as someone who respects Barry for his music. Following Gordy on his mystery-solving mission is exciting, and following his band on its journey to finally meet its inspiration is both agonizing and fun. The ending is perfect. Having been a fan for 30 years myself, we learn to always hope someday, somewhere we'll actually get our Barry moment. And we keep that hope alive, even after disappointments along the way. I think any Manilow fan will find Misdemeanor Man a pleasure to read. For all you mystery fans, this one has many twists and turns to keep you turning pages. And several quirky characters populate the story. It's well worth your time.