Synopses & Reviews
Across eleven essays, Michael Heald compulsively measures himself against men like Eli Manning, Ryan Gosling, and Stephen Malkmus, and always comes up short. After a decade of failed relationships, estranged siblings, and abandoned hopes, he may or may not have learned his lesson. Goodbye to the Nervous Apprehension is not nearly as depressing as any of this sounds.
Review
"Heald is a talented writer whose essays are funny and personal and sneaky-deep, in the style of Geoff Dyer or John Jeremiah Sullivan, only with a strong Northwest grounding." The Oregonian
Review
"Remember what it was like to be young, ambitious, arty, and confused? It's OK if you don't, because Heald's funny, sharp-eyed essay collection will remind you." Portland Monthly
Review
"Goodbye to the Nervous Apprehension is honest and biting, with absolutely great stories about growing up as the awkwardest kid in the room." The Portland Mercury
Review
"Goodbye to the Nervous Apprehension is a kind of field guide to Heald's twenties. In his telling, this is a decade of self-definition and self-discovery — a time that's both painful and thrilling. Above all, Goodbye is about dealing with disappointment, and learning how to embrace a life that doesn't fit the pattern you'd set for yourself." Think Out Loud