North Atlantic Press published this book in 2009. Ten years later, there was a change of hands, the book was allowed to go out of print. I decided its life wasn’t over, so I’ve republished under the studio-glow imprint with a different cover (to keep it out of the sports section), did some revisions and here it is, on Amazon in print and kindle.
An Obese White Gentleman In No Apparent Distress is a fictionalized account of a real martial man legendary both in his own mind and in the minds of those who loved him, a hero to some and a lesson to others.
Two people meet on an island in landlocked Vermont. Time goes on, stories are told, lives are revealed through interwoven timelines, one tracking Max’s past through NYC, Japan, Nepal, California, Vermont; the other following the unfolding relationships of his final years.
The capacious cast is a memorable assortment of seekers, grifters, gurus, spiritualists aikidoists, magicians, artists, dogs, celebrities, families.
“Riki Moss debuts with a wonderfully original comic novel about art both fine and martial, redemption through love, beautifully written and full of memorable characters.” …Michael Gruber, author of The Forgery of Venus, The Good Son and others,
“Powerful, earthy, funny and spiritual”…Jane Pincus, co-author of Our Bodies Ourselves.
I never stopped being astonished at Terry Dobson’s passion, his happy ruthlessness and his compassionate joy, Anything he asked me to do, I did, and I would have been happy to give him my car and my horse, had he asked”…Robert Bly, author of IronJohn, poet, winner of the National Book Award.
