THE HUMAN BOBBY
BY GABE ROTTER
THE GRIPPING STORY OF THE UNRAVELING OF ONE MAN’S SEEMINGLY PERFECT LIFE, AND HIS STRUGGLE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK.
A new baby, a loving wife, a solid career, a dream house in Beverly Hills: Dr. Bobby Flopkowski has it all. Until a complicated series of events snowball into a disaster that changes the course of his life forever.
Now, with a tent on the beach as his only home and an addiction that has cut him off from everyone he once loved, Bobby has a revelation that could put him back on track: he believes he has solved the puzzling crime that led to his downfall. But as the reality he’s always known slips farther away, will he be able to convince someone—anyone—that his suspicions aren’t merely the pleas of a desperate man?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:A native of New York, Gabe Rotter now permanently resides in Los Angeles with his wife. He graduated from the film school at The University of Southern California in 2000, and since has worked in television, produced a feature film, penned the novels Duck Duck Wally and The Human Bobby, written a comic book, and is currently Director of Development for Ten Thirteen Productions. He has several of his own projects in development for film and television adaptation.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
Welcome, Gabe Rotter, author of THE HUMAN BODY. Before the interview begins, let's find out a little about Gabe Rotter.
A native of New York, Gabe Rotter now permanently resides in Los Angeles with his wife. He graduated from the film school at The University of Southern California in 2000, and since has worked in television, produced a feature film, penned the novel Duck Duck Wally, written a comic book, and is currently Director of Development for Chris Carter's Ten Thirteen Productions. He has several of his own projects in development for film and television adaptation.
My website is: http://www.gaberotter.com
Where did you get the inspiration or idea for this book?
I have always been fascinated by homeless people and how they end up in the place and condition that they are in. I live in Santa Monica, California, which has very liberal homeless laws, so I see a lot of homeless folks every day. I wanted to write the back story for one of these people.
How did the title of your book come about?
That’s a secret you find out when you read the book!
What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out? What are you currently reading?
Well, I think Philip Roth is our greatest living American writer, and I love most of his books. I am also a HUGE fan of Bret Easton Ellis, who is obviously quite famous, but I believe still underrated. To me, American Psycho is arguably the best book of my generation. I am also influenced by writers like Elmore Leonard, Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Larry McMurtry, Nelson Demille. And they arent’t generally considered authors (though Ethan has put out some short story collections), but the writing I am most influenced by are the Cohen Brothers, Ethan and Joel.
What is your advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?
My best advice is to WRITE WRITE WRITE. I always tell people who want to be writers that you can’t get a book published if you don’t write a book. You’ll meet lots of people who talk about wanting to be a writer or a film director, but they don’t actually DO ANYTHING to work towards that goal. If your goal is to be a writer, then you are probably already a good storyteller. That’s the easy part. The hard part is actually sitting down in front of the computer on a daily basis and forcing yourself to do the work!
In THE HUMAN BOBBY, author Gabe Rotter has written a smart and extremely persuasive, while sometimes disturbing story. As the story begins, we find “Doc” Bobby Flopkowski living on the beach in a tent with his friend, “Crazy” Eddie.
Doc was a former pediatrician living the all-American dream life that most would envy. People referred to him as "Dr. Bobby" except for his best pal, Richard Sapp who liked to call him “Dr. Floppy”. Bobby had met Ava, his future wife, when she was out with her boyfriend who at the time happened to be pathetically drunk. It wasn’t much of a stretch for Ava and Bobby to hit it off. They began dating, were married four years later, and before you knew it they gave birth to their son, Jack Benjamin Flopkowski..
Life was good and Bobby was a lucky man as a doctor in a thriving practice with an adorable baby and beautiful wife . Who would have known that this would all start to change with one seemingly simple email message? Somehow, after twenty years, Bobby’s former and first love, Katie Turner, found him. By this time, Bobby and Ava had been together for seven years and their little Jack was already a toddler.
In looking back, it must have all started to change with that email from Katie, or perhaps with that first lunch they had together. When Bobby was significantly smashed at his fortieth birthday party, he invited Katie to stay at their home. Just to think about having the two women who Bobby had loved in his life both in his home was something a man could only dream about. But to have it really happen, was more of a nightmare when Ava said in no uncertain terms that things between her and Bobby were on hold until this woman, Katie, was GONE! One little kiss from Katie was one thing but the shock of their precious Jack being abducted sent Bobby’s perfect life from a shaky stage to downhill fast! Jack was taken only days before 9/11 and so at that point, the mystery of a stolen baby was not the number one news story anymore. Ava couldn’t even look at Bobby as she blamed him for not protecting them and allowing her child to be taken.
Could that email have really been the start of the downfall of Bobby Flopkowski? How could the idyllic life of Dr. Bobby and his Ava fall apart and the rest of his life follow? Even the media labeled Bobby as the “Tragic Doc” as one thing after another was lost. But could anything be worse than losing your child? THE HUMAN BOBBY will make readers stop to think and laugh, hope and question. It is a fast read with an almost unbelievable story that actually is incredibly convincing. You find yourself pulling for Bobby and hoping someone will offer him the answers to his problems and give him a hand in getting back to the real world. I think THE HUMAN BOBBY by Gabe Rotter would make a wonderful book club choice as it lends itself to discussion.
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+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE DESCRIPTION AND THE REVIEW OF THE HUMAN BOBBY AND IF IT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THE BOOK AND READ IT OR NOT
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89 comments:
This review made the book seem fascinating. We'd get an idea of the homelessness problem, and how quickly things can change. The thread of mystery in the story sounds intriguing.
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Your review made me want to read this book. The downfall of people can happen so quickly. I'd love to read how Gabe wrote this back story.
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I am captivated with this story and your wonderful review and description. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
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This book sounds enticing and the story incredibly interesting. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh yeah, the review and description of this book definitely made want to read it!! It sounds like a riveting read. I am putting it on the to buy list, incase I'm not lucky enough to win it!!
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Many years ago I too wondered if I would become homeless; however, God helped me through some very difficult and emotional times. I would guess after reading this review that this book would be an emotional read for me as well for many of your followers, but I am intrigued with the plot and would love to give this book a read. Thanks for opportunity.
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I liked your review very much. Sometimes it takes just one thing to snowball, and you can be homeless. It is happening with greater frequency. I would really like to read this story, the mystery of sounds really good.
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This book sounds intriguing. The grass is always greener mentality is human nature. We all seem to think that someone else's life is perfect.
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I am interested to find out how he went from being married, having a successfull career and a house in Beverly Hills to a tent on the beach.
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Great review. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com
Once upon a time in my life I helped out a homeless man and his family. I can't describe the feeling you get from knowing you've helped someone who really needed help.
I would love to read this book.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
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The premise of this book sounds awesome. The fact that one e-mail can drastically change your life and leave you homeless wondering what the heck happened. I know this is simplyfying the premise but it is interesting none the less.
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I like the review-the plot with Ava and Bobby sounds fascinating
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I absolutely would love to read this book. I am also always fascinated with the human condition and especially with social issues (the social worker in me). Plus anyone who is influenced by the Cohen brother..perfect:)
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Never a good idea to invite an old flame to stay with your family! This sounds like a great read and has gotten rave reviews from other bloggers. Thanks for the chance!
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I am interested in how Bobby's life plummets out of control, but also how readers have responded very positively to this book, even if formal review sources have not as well. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net
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This sounds like an amazing story with lots of twists and turns. How did a pediatrician living the all-American dream life that most would envy go to being a homeless man living on the beach? Yes, I would really love to read this book.
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It sounds like a story of tragedy, but a whisper of a hope of redemption. I'd love a shot at it. Please count me in. Thank you!
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A book about homeless people and how they cope and find the answer to be able to rebuild their life has to have a rewarding ending. But in true life in this day and time the opposite is more often the truth.
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The description pulled me in and intrigued me! I would love to enter
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Good interview! Makes me definitely want to read the book. And when you use a clause like "with a tent on the beach as his only home", it pulls me right in!
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This book looks facinating. I work with recovering addicts who are incarcerated (many of which have been or are currently homeless) so this book could really hit home. Maybe I could even pass it on to them once I read it (and won it of course).
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Your review is very intriguing. I want to see what happens to Bobby! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
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After reading the description and review I definitely want to read this book! I want to read to find out what made his life unravel and how he ended up in a tent on a beach.
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I found the review on the book The Human Bobby and the author Gabe Rotter amazing....I would love to win and read the book
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