He applied the Page 69 Test to his new book, Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand, and reported the following:If one were to randomly open my novel, Drink, Play, F@#k to page 69, would he or she read on? An interesting question that could easily be answered without resorting to hypothesis – but that would involve getting out of my chair, and I just ate a huge sandwich. So, allow me to hypothesize: yeah – he or she would probably read on.Learn more about Drink, Play, F@#k at the publisher's website.
I was actually surprised to discover that page 69 contains a pretty accurate summation of one of the book’s major themes (as if a book that has the word “f@#k” in the title could even have any major themes). On page 69 we are introduced to Rick, one of the book’s most important characters, who ends up guiding the protagonist in his search for fun, adventure, and some well-needed emotional and mental stability. Here’s the crux of Rick’s personal philosophy:
He believed that most people just wanted to live a fun life. If they had a chance to do it again, they would prefer to live an interesting life. And if they got a final crack at it, they would choose to live a good life. But Rick was committed to doing all three at once.
Wanting to have fun, hoping to be interesting, and striving to be good feel like very different and conflicting drives. The degree to which we focus on one more than the other two often defines us. But Rick is living proof that you can have your cake, and eat it too, and then go out for ice cream. It’s all a question of attitude, openness, and appreciation.
The rest of the drivel on page 69 is completely superfluous – although there are some laughs there. Also, I’m proud of the fact that the phrases “buck naked,” “steak joint,” and “strip club” can all be found in the second paragraph.
Enjoy!
Check out the complete list of books in the Page 69 Test Series.
--Marshal Zeringue
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