Why grow up when you can watch TV, instead?
That’s the question at the heart of my new book — a collection of humorous personal essays that examine the culture shock of adulting as seen through the prism of pop culture addiction — called THE HUMORIST: ADVENTURES IN ADULTING & HORROR MOVIES.
As a previously published book author, writer of a multi-award-winning newspaper humor column and world-class overthinker, I flew into what some have called a “full-blown existential crisis,” but I called “my thirties,” the day that I became a parent.
To cope with this exciting new life change, I did what I always do: I ran away, into the safety of TV glow. I overdosed on scary movies, hoping that the same fears and anxieties that created them would prepare me for the horrors of adulting.
The result is a book that uses the history of horror cinema as a backdrop to tell funny and surprisingly poignant stories that examine our journeys to and through adulthood.
Deep, dark secrets will be revealed along the way.
There will be ’90s nostalgia aplenty.
You’re here for the horror? Nearly 100 scary movies set the stage for true and sometimes cringeworthy tales — from late-night porta-potty tipping, a school-wide pantsing epidemic and becoming an overnight karate sensation, to a rare disease diagnosis, memories of love, death, “dance dads” and so much more.
The Humorist captures the moments both silly and sincere that define the process of coming-of-age, weaving in unexpected analogies to horror film tradition that speak to our universal need for human connection through cultural objects, the gift of fear and the healing power of laughter.
Over the next few months, I’ll be posting excerpts from my book, along with family photos and other surprises.
Join my mailing list, below, to be notified of my latest posts, as well as receive exClusive discounts and promotions!
Mike Cavaliere 