Wrongsized: Become Chronically Unemployed in 26 easy steps

Wrongsized: Become Chronically Unemployed in 26 easy steps
Larry Solomon
Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1432723477
Non-Fiction, Humor
Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

Wrongsized is a story about a computer programmer who has redesigned many of the company’s systems resulting in his branch turning a profit for the first time in years. Corporate send an efficiency expert and soon our protagonist finds himself without a job. After a period of “recuperation”, he works for a temp agency tackling a series of temp jobs. The jobs range from the smelly, pumping out sewage tanks, to the macabre. He approaches each position with a positive can-do attitude, and manages to lose each one of them with flare and bravado. The end of the book turns more serious as the text gives some advice to those who are unemployed or are considering a career change. Readers also get to know what our protagonist did.

Wrongsized is easy to read, the chapters are short, the illustrations are simple and the narrative describes each situation with levity. The footnotes add more character as the “source” of the incident is revealed. As is characteristic of stand-up comedy, this book delivers laughs by selective exaggeration and acute observation. As such, it manages to find humor in the most adverse situations. Even the book description percolates with humor. Its guarantee reads: “If you are not satisfied with the contents of this book; if it did not lead you on the course of gainful employment; or, for any reason whatsoever you did not laugh your ass off, you may contact me and will feel really, really, bad.” While the light-hearted approach may crack in some places, it never really breaks. It’s a great book for anyone looking for a few laughs (or a career change).