Richard Engling

This is a great sequel to "Give My Regards to Nowhere". I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the world of Dwayne Finnegan and the Psychedelic Dream Theatre.

The story is set a few months after the first book and tells the story of the theatre company's second production. Most of the characters we know and there are a few interesting new faces. There are hilarious hijinks that are certain to entertain. The introduction of the religious cult was pure genius. You could feel the frustration and desperation of poor Dwayne and Joan, as their antics got more out of hand. I also loved the self-help book storyline. It was ridiculous but so true to life. Engling is very good at writing in a way that resonates.

I hope these books keep coming. It would be great to find out more about the other actors in the ensemble and the relationships between them.… (más)

Dwayne Finnegan believes that he has made the theatrical connection that will finally give him a shot at working on Broadway. All he has to do is show the Broadway producer what he's capable of ... no pressure there, right? He's got an idea for Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus that should set the town on fire (does Chicago need another fire?) and he's got a cast that will get some attention and who are more than capable of pulling it off.
But first there's the little problem of getting the theatre. Spaces get booked many months in advance, but Dwayne needs a theatre ASAP. Those still available, are so for a reason, but his technical director assures him the space can be made ready in time for opening. But in keeping with Murphy's Law, securing the space for his masterful production is only one of many set-backs Finnegan will face before the coup de grâce.

I've spent a fair amount of time working in theatre myself and can recognize all these characters and all these situations as quite authentic. And perhaps it's for that reason that I didn't find this particularly funny (this is billed as a comic tale) and at the same time, not having insider knowledge might prevent some of the humor (?) from coming across. For instance, will the average reader understand the absurdity of choosing Titus Andronicus to make a bold statement?

I didn't really connect with any of these characters, even if they were familiar to me, which leaves the story as the major source of entertainment here. The story isn't bad, but it gets a little long with one disaster after another, and the personal issues mean almost nothing to me since I didn't really care about the characters and therefore just added nothing for me.

My biggest 'problem' with the story is the climactic disaster (I'm trying not to give anything away) which comes about almost randomly. Nothing Dwayne says or does creates the climax to the book, which makes this really disappointing.

Equally interesting ... the denouement would seem to me to be positive and uplifting, but Dwayne has trouble seeing it that way. So are all his problems ultimately a result of his own outlook?

Looking for a good book? Give My Regards to Nowhere by Richard Engling shows a strong knowledge of a life in theatre, but the characters don't grab attention in the right way and the story ultimately leaves the reader unsatisfied (much like Dwayne himself). A fine read, but not recommend-worthy.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through LibraryThing, in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

A very entertaining, very Chigagoan tale of a theater production with all the drama, intrigue, sexual escapades, artistic and financial struggle it brings.
As an ex-theater girl I found this book delightful to read.
Luckily, in the German-speaking countries we know that kind of existential financial struggle only from the independent off-theater scene, if at all; because most theaters are (at least partly) state funded ensemble theaters. Yet the complications and catastrophes and drama is the same in most theaters all over the world. The book brought back so many fond memories.
It's very fast-paced and entertaining, yet somehow quite ridiculous in parts: Dwayne had so little insight into the activities of his troupe it was no wonder he struggled so much. Hey – how can you call yourself an 'artistic director' and be directing a play when you have no idea at all what your ensemble are up to?!?
How did Ingrid stay informed yet Dwayne, as the head of the troupe, careened cluelessly and swearing interesting variations of religious expletives though nearly the whole book?
Also, this guy had to suffer so many near-electrocutions it's a miracle he survived... :)
But well, it was fun and made me read Titus Andronicus – what more is there to ask for?

I received this eARC via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program - Thanks, LT and author! - in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know much about the theatre, so this book was an interesting peek into that world. I found the first few chapters confusing, but eventually that evened out. Howver, the story itself was a little frustrating as all of the crisis points involved Dwayne, the protagonist, just letting stuff happen without asking any questions. Then, somehow, when it suited the plot he managed to work out what to say, and how to fix the problem, then he went back to not listening again. Having plot points revealed to us by someone this ignorant was a little frustrating.

Overall the story was interesting, but a little frustrating.
… (más)