Bud Stanley is an obituary writer for a news org. He's also been divorced for long enough to know that his ex isn't going to return. After a blind date goes nowhere‒the woman is late and tells him that she's going to go out with her own ex instead‒Bud goes home and drinks too much. He also learns that his former mother-in-law has died, and that his ex is not only remarried, but has a child now. He drunk-writes his own obituary, and although he didn't really mean to post it to the world, he does. And the obit is a doozy, filled with crazy things that are clearly untrue. Bud's continued employment is in doubt. He's put on paid leave while the head-honchos figure it out.
Bud is swearing off of dating because of his bad luck. However, friendship is a strong recurring theme in this novel. Bud's boss, Howard, is a friend, although he doesn't seem to have the final say in the job decision. Bud's landlord, Tim, is another good friend who seems to have much strength of character although he's unable to walk. Bud's office mate, Tuan, treats him with fake disdain: one can sense camaraderie there, as well. A young neighbor boy named Leo also has an important role in Bud's life.
Bud goes to the funeral of his ex-mother-in-law, and meets a woman outside who confides that she goes to wakes and funerals of strangers, and that for her, it has been a kind of a secret to the meaning of life. She indicates the next funeral she will be attending. Bud begins attending funerals of strangers, then, too.
The pace and conversations in this novel make it fly, and in spite of the subject matter, it's definitely got its humor as well as discussions pertinent to the meaning of life and friendship. Really liked this book.
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