I couldn't finish this book. At the 20th chapter, with many more to go, I skipped ahead, but just couldn't find any way to care about what was going on. It isn't a bad idea, but the details grew too tedious for me, and Ray's goals weren't things I cared about enough to endure it all. Sure all the characters seemed to manage some growth, but I didn't want to live every moment of it with them. ( )

It all started when Grandma got killed by that huge grizzly. Or, well, Ray’s guilty conscience niggles that it may have even started before then, when he killed her avatar in the video game they were playing together and started the whole Rube Goldberg chain of events that led to her death. Whatever the case, it’s when her will was read that things started really getting ugly. Because apparently she left the entirety of her trailer park and reputed wealth to Ray . . . but only if he can figure out the Meaning of Life within the next month. Otherwise, he’s out of luck and his mom (who he’s pretty sure hates him) gets it all. No pressure.

I really wanted to love this book. The first chapter had such potential with its mad riot of dark humor–almost a dark take on Richard Peck’s style. But then everything just gets so depressing and existential–nihilistic almost for a bit. And then it turns into some zen self-help ridiculousness. I mean, it’s not all bad. Some of the zen self-help stuff is pretty common sense for having good relationships and a better life and stuff. But I don’t read a fictional story to get self-help relationship tips. Seriously. Good points: There is some solid character growth and change over the course of the book, which is always nice to see. There are occasional bits of humor or insight that are refreshing. And the author pulls off first person, present tense seamlessly. Extra points for that. So yeah, I don’t regret reading Ray vs the Meaning of Life, but I probably won’t read it again. It’s not the first thing I’d recommend for someone looking for a good story, either; although to be completely fair, it’s highly rated on Goodreads and has won some prizes. So maybe it’s just me. ( )

Wow, needs to be a movie!

Ray vs the Meaning of Life is extraordinary!!! What a book! I laughed, I cried, I was totally hooked from the first line, and stayed captivated to the last word! There really is deep soul searching in this book one minute and chaos causing severe giggles the next. Loved this book!
The crying part were happy tears. ( )

Ray vs the Meaning of Life, by Michael F Stewart, tackles yet another deep subject with the author’s trademark wit and humour. Ray’s grandma passes away unexpectedly, and left him ownership of her campground. Provided, of course, that he can give the executor of her will the 'correct’ meaning of life before the end of a month. With just thirty days, Ray has his work cut out for him. If he doesn’t succeed, then his mother, uncle, and sister divide everything and he gets nothing.

To aid Ray’s eventual quest, his grandmother hires in advance the services of self-help coach Dalen. Ray’s not too sure Dalen isn't a fraud. And with the arrival of warming weather, campers are beginning to arrive, bringing troubles of their own with them. Can Ray learn the meaning of life before time runs out?

I absolutely adored this story! It's light-hearted, but hides a deep punch. Everyone, no matter how rich or poor, old or young, no matter gender-orientation or cultural background, seeks to find purpose and meaning in their life. From the campground's many denizens, Ray gets exposed to myriad interpretations of what makes a meaningful life. Everyone has a different answer. Through his own personal work, Ray learns what it is that makes him happy, and that, in the end, everyone must find their own meaning. This is quite evident with Deneze, who wants to keep doing what he is doing now, which is trash collection. He enjoys helping people, and this job allows him to do that in a way the gives him satisfaction. It's Ray who helps him see that this is a perfectly acceptable choice.

I really like that Ray came to realise that Dalen wasn't a fraud just because he utilised the wisdom of those who came before to emphasise his points. That wisdom resonates through the ages for a reason. I was hoping to see a teasing reference to the number 42, though it very well might've and I missed it.

Read my other Michael F Stewart reviews:
Keep in a Cold Dark Place https://wp.me/p6C2DX-wq
The Boy Who Swallows Flies https://wp.me/p6C2DX-1uP

***Many thanks to XPresso Blog Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )