My Name is Joe

by Stefan Bourque

Two lost souls - one at the end of a journey, and another struggling to begin...Meet Joe. Everything about him is average - until a routine medical test returns a shocking diagnosis and his doctor advises him to get his affairs in order.  Thrust into the unknown, he is left to contemplate what he has done with his life and discovers a sad truth. Somewhere along the way, thinking there would be more time, he let his dreams erode beneath the wheels of the daily grind and he has nothing to show for his time on earth.Inundated with guilt over his wasted existence, Joe plans an extraordinary play at redemption, after which he plans to end his life while he still has his dignity.  Everything goes as planned until he meets Rebecca, a young, single mother who is struggling with her own demons of guilt.  An unlikely friendship forms between the two as they come to realize their own redemption lies within the other - Joe must teach Rebecca how to hold on and Rebecca must teach Joe how to let go. But first, they must find the courage to trust one another.A profoundly moving novel about the power of human kindness, My Name Is Joe examines the unspoken thoughts and fears we all share, and introduces Stefan Bourque as a gifted - and irresistible - storyteller.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Science Fiction Fantasy, Novels

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2010

About the author

Those fortunate (or unfortunate depending on your philosophy or mood) people to be born under the sign of Gemini are known for their passionate relationships. Passionate is often a euphemism for, as Norman Mailer once put it, that old standby of the headshrinkers, the love/hate relationship. I’ve long since tempered this type of relationship romantically, though it was no small challenge. The passionate affair I’ve had with the English language, or more specifically, the creation of sentences to form an idea, long or short, has and still remains such a relationship. There are so many quotients, so many alternating emotions and ideals and dare I say, even identities involved in this life-long affair that at times I cease to understand even who I am. With that, how can I ever deem to know who I am as a writer? It’s only recently that I’ve come to realize the answer is simple–I can’t.

Fair enough, I suppose. So this will explain to you, if you’re still reading by this point, why in my earliest years I wrote hundreds of thousands of words in what is known these days as genre fiction, more specifically, the horror/suspense/thriller genre. I started the adult portion of my love affair with words in this genre for several reasons, none which I’ll state here. It seemed only natural that I would rise to my adulthood with plans to stake my claim in the macabre. This understanding of personal and writer identity stayed its course until my early forties when, after a lengthy break from wordsmithing I returned to find that I had changed since being away. What I thought I once wanted had become something much different, much more intricate, much more difficult to perform. The challenge of telling my stories, of answering these great unanswerable questions that I had squeezing my mind with relentless force, needed a more finite, a more human stage on which the characters could perform. As I thought differently, I read differently, and as expected, I wrote differently. I realized the boogeymen of my nights was no different than the haunting of my days. Indeed, looking back over my vast body of work, I see that even when I thought I was writing a simple, chilling story, I was reaching for larger answers–the bigger picture. The concept is littered everywhere. One has but to look to see it.

While my work may appear eclectic (if you are being kind) the heart of the matter has not changed much. Perhaps, in the earlier days, when a soul would cry out for compassion or redemption that soul might go unanswered, so fearful was I over the arbitrary nature of life and death. Where once my approach was exorbitant, I now choose subtlety. Where violence stood brightly in splashes of blood, reason now strolls with reserve and love. Where once I simply cried out, “Why?” I now seek more deeply to better understand the very question itself. There aren’t always answers, but there is always the journey. Always, the opportunity. Always the dream of redemption.

No. The questions haven’t really changed. They are as they were. The only difference is: now I know what they are.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I would classify this as literary fiction because of the eloquent prose, attention to character and detail, and the proper motivation to make me think and feel.

Essentially "My Name Is Joe" is about a middle-aged man who has no family of his own, and working from home has kept him isolated from the outside world. He is relatively without ambition or motivation and is just going through the motions of the daily grind when he learns he has cancer of the terminable nature. The knowledge of his impending death sends him into a world of introspection, inner musings and a deep need to know if it is too late for him to make a difference on the world. What he does next sets into motion a series of events that nobody could have anticipated.

This story is both sad and profoundly uplifting at the same time. Few books have moved me on this level and even after weeks since putting it down, I still am struck by lines or feelings I felt when reading this book. I highly, highly recommend this book!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and emotional book, you'll likely be left with a renewed appreciation for life.

This is a short quote that I liked from the book:

"You are not dying, and perception might lead you to believe there is still plenty of time for experience later. Someday you'll visit the Grand Canyon. Someday you'll find a job that you actually love to do. There will be plenty of time for the love of a puppy for the love of a good woman...someday.

"I was a man who had walked through his somedays and had not even realized. My somedays were gone. If I could deliver a single message to all the world of the living that might be heard, it would be these: These are your somedays!"

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about one man's search for redemption and recognition before he dies. He finds solace and a family when he meets a women and her son.

Stefan Bourque does a great job touching all our emotional buttons. It's very sad but also inspirational and sweet. The pace is slow and meandering, but in a good way, imitating a man's contemplation of what his own death would mean. The characters are realistic and powerful. They each have their weaknesses but try their best to overcome them.

As I've said before, the pace is pretty slow. Bourque spends a lot of time weaving his story together with metaphors and symbolism. Depending on how you like your books, you might have to wait until halfway through the story before you're really hooked. Don't expect all that much action. Bourque focused more of his effort in building his characters and their relationships to each other.

Pro: Believable and strong characters, powerful character relationships, intricate and beautiful descriptions, touching ending

Con: Slow beginning(it depends on the reader whether this is a pro or con), very little action

This is a great book for readers of all ages. Though I should warn you, if you are a younger reader, that there is one or two nude scenes but, uh, nothing naughty happens. Anyway, anyone looking for a deep meaningful introspective read should definitely give this book a shot. The story can only end in one way but you can't help but feel happy for what has been achieved.

Won this book in a giveaway in exchange for a review

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads (a fact I am required to disclose). Although I had no previous exposure to Bourque's writing, I am looking forward to reading more of his work. Bourque has written a beautiful book with My Name Is Joe. Despite its heart breaking subject, the story both inspired me and restored my faith in the potential for human kindness.

[René Olivo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I'd ever recommend a book, it has to be this one

I read this book as part of a personal project to search for books in the 3 stars range, but which actually should be 5 stars, at least for me.

After rounding up a couple of books, I wouldn't have imagined that I'd find the perfect book matching my criteria right off the bat. This is definitely a hidden gem.

What I liked the most about the book is how believable Joe is as a character. How the author can convey such complex emotions and yet one can eagerly grasp and empathise with them pulling you towards the warmth of the story, which is a very touching one.

This book has definitely left its mark on me and I can only hope more people would give this title a fair chance to read it and have such an amazing experience just as I did.

Not 3, but 5 stars.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly moving story about a man told he was about to die and the power of human kindness. Stefan Bourque wrote a beautiful, heartwarming story. It was a wonderful read - in the first part of the book, you just read Joe's thoughts as he faces his dying alone - you really understand what it was like for a person facing a terminal diagnosis. Then he gives himself a going away party and in the process found a wonderfully caring individual that truly helped Joe through his final days, but she also got some redemption in return. You can never really plan your life because there is another force that is guiding you where you really need to go - one of my favorite quotes from the book is ""so I guess it was time to stop making plans, to cease my force of will upon the Universe and instead let it guide me."

I really enjoyed this book , and I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a short book so it won't take you too long!

[Jakki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult to review this book without giving out spoilers. Suffice to say, I enjoyed the beginning or first third to half of the book when the character pontificates about the ironies of life, the growing loneliness of the digital age, the feelings of having a lack of a social circle and strong family relationships. I thought it was all fascinating and well-written. You knew from the beginning something would change for our dying character, Joe, but I wasn't a fan of how it came about and furthermore the lack of development between the characters...the relationship just came to BE, wasn't built and I find that to be a hard sell. While we all have experienced instant connections with others, the relationship in this book is almost one of fantasy and I prefer books that stick closer to reality. A decent, quick read and the first part made it worth the while. It's a good story, but just veers off the path that true life often follows a bit too much for my taste.

[Brenda Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a sometimes flippant but often thoughtful look at the various feelings one might have when told to get 'one's affairs in order'...likely to that and much more. I appreciated the author's consideration and poignancy marking various passages that particularly touched me...such as this as Joe considers..."There might still be some purpose to what little remained of my life. A chance to make some kind of difference after all. And in the end, isn't that all that any of us wants?" I also appreciate this..."Without struggle all things of beauty begin to pale and even the sweetest meats turn sour."

Yes, a thoughtful book about life...and living to the end of the day.

[Julianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick little feel good read. Joe has just been told he has terminal cancer, and he's looking back on his life, regretting choosing his career over any personal relationships to speak of. There is redemption, of course, as Rebecca and her son enter his life, and give him a reason to find joy, purpose, and love (not really romantic) in his final days. It's not exactly the most realistic scenario, but it's still nice to have hope that people can still care about others even though they have nothing to gain.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't get good until the middle and then the end was so sad even though you knew the whole time it was going to be sad.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads tells you what the book is about and so I really didn't know what more to expect. I didn't think it would be like When Breath Becomes Air otherwise there would have been more hype about this, but it takes a different turn. Joe doesn't have long to live, and as he thinks about this, he realizes he hasn't done much with what he has been given, at least in his viewpoint. And yet what can he do now with so little time left?

The author really did an amazing job at making me feel so utterly alone as Joe must have felt (how much more appropriate for these days when we are isolating due to Covid?), and how we often are as a society, or at least many of us who don't do great things and who live lives of quiet desperation until there's no time left, and then what? Will anyone know? Will you have made a difference for anyone? Is it ever really too late? I liked this book better than I thought I would, and it left me teary-eyed at the end but that's okay. When an author can move you with the words, they have done something right.

[A Book Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

To see my full review:

http://abookvacation.com/2014/02/13/r...

This relatively short read takes an in-depth look at one man’s life once an end date is unceremoniously stamped upon it. Like Queen Latifah in Last Holiday, Joe has just learned that he is going to die. But unlike the comedic movie, Joe does not have a happy ending—there is no mistake made here. Suffering from pancreatic cancer, he is instructed to get his affairs in order, sending him on a spiraling journey that surveys his contributions to the world, or lack thereof. Compelled to reminisce about his past as he looks bleakly at his short future, Joe begins to assess his life and make amends, learning to finally live in a world he has for so long allowed to pass him by.

While this is a somewhat depressing look at the end of one man’s life, it is also an inspirational one—powerful in that it lays his soul bare and allows him to finally experience all that he never knew he missed. With the help of a good-hearted, young, single mother, Joe learns what truly matters in life and no longer has to face death alone. And while readers already know what the end of this tale will hold, it’s a touching look at the human spirit that, though tears are shed, will leave readers feeling triumphant.

[Bookreaderljh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redemption! This book is all about redemption and choices made and friendship and altruism. The book is really more of a novella (I read it in just a couple of hours) and definitely a tearjerker. It is the story of a man stricken with terminal cancer and what he discovers about himself as he prepares to die. Did I truly believe the story about bringing together his neighborhood with a carnival? Not so much. But that was the plot point that enabled him to find his redemption and to connect (finally) with another human being. Again - the plot point of this stranger, this woman and her son, taking over his care was a bit far fetched but that was her redemption. I liked the writing - I liked reading a feel good story at the holiday season (though the downer cancer story almost caused me to quit the book around page 10) - and I very much liked the underlying plot points. One - we need others in our lives to be complete and two - "These are our somedays."

[Kiessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts with the sentence, "The man who sat across from me might have been a stranger except for the bare intimacy of knowing one another's names and the occasional gloved finger that probed my prostate." With that line, I was hooked.

This writer's style is poetic in places, and concise throughout, leaving the reader to ponder the insights and needs of the dying with each passing page. What I enjoyed most were take away messages such as these: It is never to late to change, everyone has something to give, and sometimes receiving can be as much of a gift as giving.

Although perhaps slightly improbable in places, I loved this book for its honest core and its focus on forgiveness, healing and redemption. I think this author accomplished great things in this small book.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the majority of the book - it was very moving because of the subject matter - being alone having terminal cancer. I would have given it five stars but for Joe's relationship with Rebecca. I'm sorry but it just doesn't ring true with me. Yes the initial meeting was fine and looking after him when he collapsed shortly after but stripping off and getting in the shower with a man that you had only met less than 24 hours later (albeit to clean him after he had soiled himself) and then stripping off and sleeping next to him that night?

Such a shame as it was a totally different kind of book to what I normally read and I wanted to give it five stars as the majority of it was beautifully written but I couldn't.

[Jessica Ashe · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreakingly sad, but very thought provoking

Currently, I'm caught up in the emotion this book provoked. I won't go too in depth as I don't want to give away the ending, but I will say be prepared for an emotional ride. How can you be so heartbroken and elated all in the same moment?

Stefan Bourque has a beautiful way with words that will make you think about your life and how you are making it count and also how you want to be remembered when your time on this earth is done.

Great read!

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fifty-ish single man finds out he is dying of pancreatic cancer and begins to reflect on his life which has been pointless and boring. A chance meeting with a woman roughly half his age who has fallen on hard times offers them both an opportunity for redemption. She and her young son move in with him for the final weeks of his life. This book is sappy and predictable with fewer insights into the mind of a dying man than one would hope for.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very dark and depressing in the beginning. I almost stopped reading it about half way through. But, I kept going because I wanted to see why it had 4.5 stars. I started to enjoy the book and characters when Rebecca was finally introduced. I enjoyed the ending, it was heart-felt and sad. But wouldn't recommend it unless you were in between books and looking for something quick and easy to read. It's only 156 pages.

[Bert Edens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually closer to novella length at 156 pages, but it was worth every bit of it. Very emotionally charged, from Joe being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, giving up and planning suicide, meeting Rebecca and her son, everything, all the the through the book. Yeah, this one will make some tears well up for you.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is so drab. I was fully aware it's about a man who is dying but I was expecting it to be more like 'Me Before You', it doesn't have to be completely depressing. I couldn't finish this, I really wanted to get to the part where he met the woman and set all things right but I got halfway through and there was still no sign. So cliched and really heavy going.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

What do I say about this book, really not a lot, I almost gave up on it... but felt for the main character and was semi-curious how Joe met his death. I was disappointed with the content as well, not as "moving" as some other readers posted.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read...Joe at the end of his life finally found what he wished he would have found long ago..but at least he did get to feel love and give of himself to a very special lady and her son...loved the book from cover to cover!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me think, it inspired me, it bored me at times, and it made me cry. There were parts at the beginning that were a little slow- I'm not going to lie, I may have started skimming, however the rest of it was insightful and tugged at my heartstrings.

[Emily Lomaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dialogue Joe maintained in his head while trying to grapple with the earthly and existential crises he was facing was so compelling, it was surprisingly easy to overlook (what I thought was) an underwhelming climax and sometimes clunky writing. Definitely worth reading!

[Alison]

on my kindle

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book has Joe pondering about much that is negative in life. The second half does much to redeem the story after he meets Rebecca and her young son Devin.

[Ann Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start, but riveting to get you through to the satisfying end.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book is on the topic of death, the book ended surprisingly satisfying. A good read. Free Kindle ebook from amazon

[Bob Rickelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent and quick read. Joe is an interesting and relatable character. The second half of the book stretches things a bit, but overall I'm glad I read it.

[Trefor Bark · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very moving story. a gem of a book.