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Why Liv?: A Novel Paperback – October 26, 2019

by Jon Sebastian Shifrin (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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Fans of The Office and The Catcher in the Rye will thoroughly enjoy Shifrin’s witty and authentic story of what it means to live in corporate America.

“… a highly amusing ride.” — BlueInk Reviews

“Why Liv? is a wake-up call to contemporary Americans, a book that challenges how readers approach political reality." — Readers’ Favorite

“Laced with acerbic wit and wisdom, Why Liv? by author John Sebastian Shifrin is a tongue-in-cheek triumph about surviving in the time of media madness, political decay, and the existential crisis that is our 21st century.” — Self-Publishing Review (★★★★½)

“The economy, politics and even the weather in Shifrin's debut novel mirror what the United States is dealing with right now, which makes this story unsettlingly inspirational.” — Sherri Daley, Booktrib

As a twenty-something corporate employee with a doctor-in-training girlfriend, Livingstone Modicai Ackerman—Liv, to his friends—personifies success. Yet all is not as it seems. His job is tedious and soul-gutting, his girlfriend is a vacuous, image-conscious snob, and, meanwhile, his pathologically narcissistic parents are constant irritants. Add to this the febrile political climate dominated by a reactionary group, the Patriot Posse, led by a mendacious radio personality with outlandish hair and catchy campaign slogan to “Make America Great Again,” is a presidential candidate—and he’s winning!

Overwhelmed and struggling to maintain a sense of dignity and worth, Liv quits his job, breaks up with his girlfriend, and leaves for Spain to explore the existential question: Why live?

Told with humorous charm and wit, Why Liv? examines why modern work is so devoid of purpose and why reactionary politics is so alluring in America. Most of all, it humbly attempts to offer a reason to persevere during difficult times.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 26, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1950282937
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1950282937
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Shifrin's novel is often a highly amusing ride. His narrator's descriptions of everyday corporate life recall episodes of The Office and the cult hit, Office Space. For example, at one point, supervisor Marcy lectures Liv on his work failures: "You haven't reported your weekly recycling activity for six weeks, nor have you opted in to the office's composting plan. You missed your rotation for turning off the lights at close of business -twice - and I heard you're even printing one-sided documents." Fans of the series and movie, will likely revel in parts of Why Liv?" -- BlueInk Reviews

"Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin is a wonderfully told story with an international setting that takes readers from New York to Barcelona, following the spiritual odyssey of Livingstone Mordicai Ackerman.... a wake-up call to contemporary Americans, a book that challenges how readers approach political reality." -- Readers' Favorite

"Laced with acerbic wit and wisdom, Why Liv? by author John Sebastian Shifrin is a tongue-in-cheek triumph about surviving in the time of media madness, political decay, and the existential crisis that is our 21st century. The story reads as though the author distilled the anxieties and issues of today, then refracted them into a new narrative, creating an alternative universe that readers will intimately recognize - chilling, spiraling, and in desperate need of change....Why Liv? is both amusing and tragic, offering a relevant blend of Kafka's cynicism and American grit to make the book a timely and exceptional read." -- Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

"Jon Sebastian Shifrin didn't step too far away from reality when he wrote Why Liv? (distributed by Bublish). There are marauding groups of protesters asserting their patriotic allegiance -- with posters, cheers, jeers and violence -- to an orange-hued, right-wing radio host with "a pompadour of dubious authenticity" and a permanent tan, "except around his eyes, presumably where he wore goggles when bronzing." Their slogan? Make America Great Again.

The economy, politics and even the weather in Shifrin's debut novel mirror what the United States is dealing with right now, which makes this story unsettlingly inspirational." -- Sherri Daley, Booktrib

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bublish, Incorporated (October 26, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1950282937
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1950282937
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Jon Sebastian Shifrin

Jon Sebastian Shifrin

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Jon Sebastian Shifrin is a writer plying his trade in Washington, DC. His work has appeared in The Baltimore Sun, The Hill, Reunion: The Dallas Review, The Missing Slate, and Futures Trading. Jon also is the founder of the popular current events website, The Daily Dissident (www.dailydissident.com). His non-literary career in politics has taken him from the White House to Capitol Hill to think tanks in Washington and Europe. To learn more about Why Liv?, visit www.whyliv.com.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Satisfied customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and smooth read
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
There is much to appreciate in this book with its clarity of writing and humor. Some aspects of the plot feel trite-- the stereotypical ennui of the New York lifestyle, a Trump-like character, the hackneyed notion of finding love in a foreign land, but for the most part, it works very well. The central character still feels somewhat of a cipher even towards the end of the book, but the ease with which the story moves ahead, ultimately this book is a very satisfying read.
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Piaras
4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining page-turning story.
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
The great escape from office life are thoughts which flood the minds of many people living in quiet desperation of yet another day on the job. Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin tells the story of a corporate employee in his 20s disillusioned with his job, his shallow girlfriend, his narcissistic parents and the current political landscape he finds himself in. So, he up sticks and moves to Spain.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The problem with political jokes is that they get elected.” People enjoy political humor because it’s something that everyone can relate to. The public generally blames the government for everything, so everyone basically appreciates humor in politics. In truth, this particular source of hilarity is almost always delivered in a satire-like manner.

Why Liv? is cleverly written and witty. This book is a satire, and a good one. It’s an entertaining, page-turning story that will keep the reader involved. The core of the story ‘humbly attempts to offer a reason to persevere in these difficult times.’
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Brad
5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
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An interesting read, that touches upon a lot of intriguing topics.
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Malgorzata Kielkowska
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wondrous Book for Surreal Times
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020
A Wondrous Book for Surreal Times

Don’t miss Jon Sebastian Shifrin’s superb Why Liv? The novel, though told with casual wit and charm, is in fact a searing indictment of life in the age of pointless office jobs and reactionary politics. The story unfolds in New York and Barcelona, but the setting could be anywhere, including my native Poland, which is also held hostage by nationalist politics whose enemy is modernity itself. The protagonist, Livingstone—Liv to his friends—is adrift, lost. His job lacks meaning and his girlfriend is self-involved. And the country’s politics, dominated by a Trump-like conman, are vile. Why Live? might be a more appropriate title. Yet Shifrin is no cynic. Beautifully rendered, his novel deftly provides a reason for hope in seemingly hopeless times. The reasons to live are many.
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JoJo Maxson
3.0 out of 5 stars Politics generally draws strong feelings for both sides.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin reveals a man's frustrations of working an unfulfilling job, entangled to an empty girlfriend, tired of his critical parents and disenchanted with the political leader of the day. His answer is to leave it all and move to Spain.

I felt the view of the author, Jon Sebastian Shifrin, is slanted as he wove his views of politics into his novel, Why Liv? If you have strong right-wing views, you will not find this book as amusing, but that is the freedom of a country very few around the world can enjoy.
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L. Meyer
2.0 out of 5 stars I could barely get through it
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
I felt this was very disjointed - like it was 2 different books. I did not like the political-ness of it.
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Miesha
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Timely Novel
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020
The purpose of life is beautifully pondered in Why Liv? Livingston, the novel’s main character, doesn’t have an answer. His world is falling apart: his girlfriend is selfish, his job is a bore, and the political environment in which he lives is lethal. So he jumps ship—for Spain. It’s a simple plot but one whose central questions are both universal and specific to our times. Written in a lively style full of irreverence and snark, the book moves quickly, taking us from New York to Spain. But the journey is really internal, and it's one particularly appropriate for our chaotic epoch. Why Liv is a thrilling ride. But more importantly, it’s a thought-provoking one, packing a powerful punch. A highly recommended read.
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Archie
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and enjoyable!
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book asks numerous questions from the point of view of the protagonist and explores into his possible solution. Why Liv in the place where work is devoid of purpose, and the environment is devoid of humanity and hope. These questions our hero struggles, so he leaves his job, girlfriend and environment to live in Spain. The author has made his point raised questions this skillfully using thoughtful humor and wit and good pace. One may agree or disagree with author’s view but it’s a enjoyable POV.
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