J Kenny's "I SEE YOU CALLED in DEAD-An Obit Writers Woes-Well Worth Reading

Obituary writers have become a dying breed.  Newspapers no longer pay staff to write obits.  Instead papers rely on public submissions which editors will select for print.  The NYTIMES is one of the last prominent news outlets that maintains a minimal staff to cover the passing of celebrities, accomplished individuals in their fields or the notorious for their noxious deeds. I suggest screening the entertaining documentary, OBITS* which interviews NYTIME's obituary writers. Capturing an entire life in a few paragraphs is a challenging and serious matter. John Kenny's offbeat, comical and quite moving novel, "I See You Called in Dead" follows our sad sack hero, Bud Stanley, an obituary writer until he's fired for numerous blunders.  In an inebriated self-pitying state, Bud inadvertently submits the obit  he wrote about his himself (not intending to hit send).  The hilarious fallout for his premature obituary parodies office politics and our litigious society.  Author Kenny has crafted a clever novel that handles painful issues concerning depression, death, the death of a young child and grief in a lighthearted and life-affirming manner.  Kenny, a decades long "New Yorker" contributor and winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor for previous novels, depicted a unique character in Bud Stanley.  Bud connects with other fully drawn characters that are engaging and empathetic.  Despite somber topics there's a pervasive humanity and resiliency in Bud and others within his orbit.  At age 44, Stanley finds himself recently divorced, unemployed and in need of a new place to live.  He serendipitously finds himself fortunate in subletting the top floor of a high end town house from the elderly, distinguished owner.  The owner/landlord, Tim, leases the expansive top floor at a bargain rate.  Soon, Stanley and Tim enjoy having a ritual glass of fine wine together upon Bud's return home in the evenings. These tete-a-tete are reminiscent of the endearing endings on TV's "Boston Legal".  James Spader and William Shatner would put their feet up and relax together with a good cigar and whiskey in hand.  The symbiotic friendship between Bud and Tim is charming as is the dawning relationship Bud develops with Tim's caregiver and the young boy across the street. Bud's self-deprecating, unassuming demeanor doesn't over shadowed his sensitive and gracious nature. The NYTimes' obit writers should be preparing in advance a laudatory eulogy for author John Kenny.  I'd commit he captured the best of humanity within the delightful and meaningful novel, "I See You Called in Dead."

*https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4465356231317340474/8559200069860935357

Check out my blog review of OBITS on Melinda's Malarky Around the Vine