He's not the kind of guy I expect to be a writer.  He barely finished a year of college, screwed around through most of high school and spends most of his time playing video games and getting tattoos.  But about ten years ago Joe Peacock started writing on the internet and developed quite a following on his website, mentallyincontinent.com.  This success eventually landed him a real book deal with a real publisher and Mentally Incontinent, the book, was born.  Defying the odds, Joe Peacock is officially a writer. 

I've never visited Peacock's website, but in the introductory material to the book he explains that site members are encouraged to suggest edits or alterations for his stories, often leading to significant improvements.   Given their important role in his work, Peacock felt that it was appropriate to have members select the stories for the book.  The subsequent vote resulted in this collection of eleven stories.

Each of the entries comes from Peacock's - possibly cursed - everyday life in the Atlanta area, some from high school, but most from the rather aimless years following his failed attempt at college.  If you want to know how a relatively average guy can accidentally burn down a Hooters, hit a deer while on his mountain bike, incinerate his dad's Vanagon while motoring down the Interstate or end up outside a Chili's restaurant hanging from a barbed wire fence, this is the book for you.   If the idea that dumbass actions often lead to dumbass results doesn't sound that intriguing, you may be better off reading something else.

Most of the material in this compilation is really hilarious and I'm truly amazed at how much crazy crap happens to this guy - even if he brings most of it on himself.   But my enthusiasm wanes when it comes to the actual storytelling and writing.    His descriptive efforts are noticeably weak and his plotlines are linear and lack much tension.   When I compare Peacock to my favorite humor essayists, like David Sedaris, Tim Cahill and Augusten Burroughs, he really comes up lacking. 

Despite my criticisms, Peacock's enthusiasm did grow on me after a while.  He clearly enjoys living life on the edge and has a joyful approach to life that comes through in his writing.  While he may never be a great writer, I did enjoy reading Mentally Incontinent and felt Peacock's pain when he thought he had no choice but to let his stalker spend the night in his apartment.   I'll be tempted to check in on him again when the sequel arrives at the library.   If he survives. 

Recommended: Yes