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Middle-Aged Man and the SeaMiddle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


If you have been reading my reviews for a long time, you may know that I am a big fan of author, Christopher Meeks.  I have had the opportunity to read and review most of his books.  However, I hadn’t read his book of short stories, ‘The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea’.  I bought the ebook a long time ago but didn’t have the opportunity to read it.  Then, a few weeks ago Christopher contacted me to let me know that he created a audiobook version on CD and on Audible and offered me a free download code to Audible. I couldn’t refuse!

My Thoughts on Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


The Audible version is narrated by the author, Christopher Meeks, himself.  It includes 13  quintessential short stories about the human condition. With his trademark sense of humor and quirky, yet realistic characters, Meeks takes us on a journey through the lives of his characters and we even a glimpse into ourselves.

Many people who claim not to like short stories, usually say because they don’t feel complete.  I dare naysayers of Short stories to read this book.  Okay, so the endings aren’t wrapped up in nice neat bows but neither is real life.  “They all lived happily ever after” are the kind of stories we tell children to make them feel safe and secure. 

These stories have kernels of truth hidden within them. They cover, marriage, middle age, and old age.  The thread throughout is human relationships and how we dealt with them.  Of course, this wouldn’t be a Christopher Meeks book, if there weren’t some references to pop culture sprinkled with in.

Usually, I find short stories in a collection hit and miss however, ‘The Middle-aged Man and the Sea’, is quite an even collection.  I really loved them all.

As for the narration, it was good.  There were a few places that you could hear the wetness that can accumulate in ones mouth.  I haven’t detected this when I have listened to a more seasoned narrator.  However, with practice, I believe Christoper Meeks could go from good to great with his narration skills.  I hope he records more of his books.

5/5 Writing

4/5 Narration

I received a free download code for the Audible version for my honest review.

About Christopher MeeksChristopher Meeks


Christopher Meeks first published short fiction in a number of literary journals, and the stories are available in two collections, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and Months and Seasons. Recently, he’s focused on crime novels.  His first, Blood Drama had a graduate student writing a thesis on David Mamet in a struggle with a ruthless killer and bank robber. The new A Death in Vegas is a mystery based on the death of a young woman and the wrong man charged with it. Visit Christopher Meeks online at chrismeeks.com.

Buy Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


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Giveaway of Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


You can enter to win my giveaway of a download code to get the Audible version of this great short story collection.  Enter here.

Middle-Aged Man and the SeaThe ebook and print book of ‘The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea’ has been out since 2006.  However, it has just been released on Audible as an audiobook.

In celebration of the Audiobook release, Christopher Meeks is offering one Audible code to download the audiobook for free from Audible!  Why is he offering this?  He is hoping that the winner will enjoy it and will post a review on Audible.

Description of Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


Here is a story collection about love, death, humor, and the glue called family. In one narrative, a man wakes up one morning to find the odor of dead fish won’t go away, but no one else can smell it. In another, a couple’s visit with friends to watch the Academy Awards has the protagonist envying his friends’ lawn and lifestyle. In these and eleven other stories, Christopher Meeks balances tragedy and wit.

As novelist David Scott Milton explains, “In this collection, Christopher Meeks examines the small heartbreaks of quiet despair that are so much a part of all our lives. He does it in language that is resonant, poetic, and precise…. If you like Raymond Carver, you’ll love Meeks. He may be as good–or better.”

Praise for the book/ebook of Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks


“Christopher Meeks bounces onto the literary scene as a vibrant new voice filled with talent and imagination. THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN & THE SEA is one of the finer collections of short stories that will rapidly rise to the top of the heap of a battery of fine writers of this difficult medium.

There isn’t a weak story in the thirteen works here.  Biting and sassy, eloquent and intelligent, this collection of short stories is excellent reading. Meeks knows his craft: these tiny microcosms of living offer proof that his novels, soon to come, will be works to watch. Very Highly Recommended.”-Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon Reviewer & Hall of Fame

“Why can’t all writers be like Christopher Meeks.  I’ll admit that I’d started reading THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN AND THE SEA during an evening, becoming so engrossed in its chapters that I’d wanted to finish it off in one sitting. I couldn’t — Fairies and Dreamland were calling — but that was the sole reason I hadn’t.
Middle-aged Man is *that* compelling. Meeks has this uncanny ability to thrust you right into the center of his characters’ sundry dilemmas, desires, and demands — as if you’re standing right there next to them, or sitting one bar stool over listening to their wonderful chats about wine, their musings about the wisdom of the next Shuttle launch, or their ebullient waxing about the velveteen smoothness of Breyer’s coffee-flavored ice cream.”- Adam Daniel Mezei, Amazon Reviewer

“I usually read literature by female authors because I feel they understand me as a woman. There are a few male authors that also have this ability, such as Raymond Carver and Larry McMurtry. And now I have found Christopher Meeks. His stories might seem depressing to some, but to me they were true to what life brings us. He captures old age, regret, disappointment, divorce, starting over, marriage, loss and more and does it in a loving and sensitive way. His humor helps balance the pain, as it often does unexpectedly on our journeys. I loved these stories and these people and I will gratefully read more of this talented and lovely writer.”- gypsygirl1925, Amazon Reviewer

About Christopher MeeksChristopher Meeks


Christopher Meeks first published short fiction in a number of literary journals, and the stories are available in two collections, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and Months and Seasons. Recently, he’s focused on crime novels.  His first, Blood Drama had a graduate student writing a thesis on David Mamet in a struggle with a ruthless killer and bank robber. The new A Death in Vegas is a mystery based on the death of a young woman and the wrong man charged with it. Visit Christopher Meeks online at chrismeeks.com.

Giveaway of Middle-Aged Man and the Sea by Christopher Meeks

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada and ends on March 4, 2016 12 am pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway