{"product_id":"impossible-to-be-human-paperback","title":"Impossible to Be Human - Paperback","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFacing the idiosyncrasies of his life and character, David Lazar mercilessly analyses his success. Can we accept irreconcilable contradictions? Can people change? And what does it mean to be human? Peeling layers of conventions and domestication, Lazar is gradually facing the man he once was, his past emotionless and cold existence. He cannot help but wonder: is he still that man or has the love of his wife redeemed him? Can a driven sports handicapper, who climbed 'Mt. Gamble' to become the most successful professional handicapper of his generation, become a loving, devoted husband and father? Can writing his life story\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003epurge his flaws?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe puzzle of life's inconsistencies grows as Lazar is baffled by his clandestine meetings in his NYC penthouse with Duck, the US president. They go way back when David was Duck's object of admiration. These days Duck represents everything Lazar rejects: racism, greed, callousness. The two of them mirror all that is opposed in American society and echo the doubt whether these dividing gaps can be bridged. And while Lazar dislikes these secret meetings he is turning into Duck's confidant, knowing all too well that he is acting against the people he loves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe fragility of existence is further exacerbated by the spread of Covid-19. The presence of death is more tangible than ever. However, counting his blessings only intensifies the fear of loss. Lazar is trying to help the needy, but the knowledge of his own limitations and all that is still required haunts him. And the old, battered question is as relevant as ever: what is then the meaning of it all?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere is no straight answer, but as Lazar's identical twin brother observes, David did everything wrong, and yet bounced back lucky in his old age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e is a born-and-bred New Yorker. He is the author of several non-fiction books and four novels. Three of his novels are works of autofiction based on his life and intimate knowledge of sports and gambling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"In this exciting and wholly unpredictable second sequel (to \u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper\u003c\/em\u003e and 2019’s \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e), the one-time handicapper is back, a wealthy octogenarian facing aging, his latter-years zeal to make sure his life meant something ... Kalich deftly illuminates the drift of mind of a regretful millionaire reflecting back ... (Kalich’s) storytelling is sharp-elbowed but thoughtful, committed to exposing persuasive real-life details and ethical quandaries ...The ending is a surprising jolt, hopeful and cutting at once, compelling literary comedy laced with truth and outrage.\"   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-- \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e   \u003cem\u003eLightning Bolt, Booklife Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Kalich knows the worlds of sports and betting, and fans of both will take pleasure in this trip down memory lane.\" --\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Itasca Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54526356390163,"sku":"9781933480527","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/3521\/2563\/files\/9781933480527ita.jpg?v=1785851520","url":"https:\/\/danuc.net\/products\/impossible-to-be-human-paperback","provider":"Danu's Wardrobe","version":"1.0","type":"link"}