Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Novel

By Tim Laskowski

Tim Laskowski s first novel provides a unique insider s look into the world of a brain-injured man in his mid-thirties. More than a decade before the novel opens, Robert Nyquist suffered traumatic... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870744771
• ISBN13: 9780870744778
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Southern Methodist Univ Pr
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A Painful Exploration, Well Done

Robert was a bright and promising student and a good pianist, but that was before his accident. He fell while mountain climbing, and is now severely brain-damaged. Living in a group home, probably one of the best of its kind, he spends his days dependent on what he calls "paid caregivers." Now he is writing his journal, trying to put his jumbled thoughts on paper (on computer) with the help of Ellen, his volunteer writing coach.It is a painful exploration, for Robert has probably reached his maximum improvement. In his thoughts he is sensitive and articulate but few people can understand what he is saying. His mobility is limited. He needs help for the most basic activities of daily living. Although the care he receives is excellent, it is also demeaning. He talks about the artificially bright demeanor of those who work with him, but seldom have time to listen to him. Like other patients with closed head injuries he is often impulsive, easily loses his temper, and sometimes shows poor judgment. His feeble attempts to relate sexually are considered "inappropriate" by those around him.Author Tim Laskowski, who has worked with brain damaged patients for many years, explores the inner world of Robert with great empathy and sensitivity. He does this with extraordinary skill, without ever falling into sentimentality. His use of language is flawless, managing to hit just the right pitch for this difficult subject matter. And, if he doesn't completely understand the inner world, the suffering and small triumphs, of Robert's life, he probably comes as close as anyone could. This is a painful and difficult memoir, beautifully done. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Fantastic revealing look into the human soul

Laskowski creates a amazingly insightful and poignant look into the mind and spirit of a man with a brain injury who lives in a group home in Montana. The novel explores Robert's relationships with his caregivers, his parents, his son, and his peers in prose that is honest, thorough, and poetic. Beyond being just a book about brian injury, this is a book about the general human condition, about someone wanting to be the best he can be, about someone trying to relate meaningfully with parents and child, about someone trying to navigate succesfully our confusing postmodern world. A must read!