Where I Went Wrong

“If only” seems to be the recurring phrase in Tony Mazza’s life, wherein rock bottom only gets pushed further with each fall. In 2000, Tony is a divorced father of two children working a job that doesn’t quite cover his financial obligations. His relationship with his children varies from mediocre to strained, depending on the week, and falling behind on child support aggravates his ex-wife, Kelly. The stress of his daily life leads to overindulgence in drinking, leading to a hellacious hangover and a late start to his shift as an orderly in the local hospital. The combination of the previous night’s imbibing and a painkiller gifted from a co-worker muddles Tony’s thought,s which lead to Tony crashing a stolen ambulance. A lengthy jail term looms unless the judge takes mercy on Tony. For Tony, this is just one more bad choice in a life that seems to be cursed.

Tony Mazza’s life is about unrealized potential, broken relationships, and an inconsistent job history. His follies are not strictly confined to infidelity, but also financial miscues and a pattern of self-sabotage at various jobs. His thoughts often go back to the day when his sister Angela disappeared and the feeling that the course of his life was altered. If only Tony had been paying more attention to her, maybe his life would have turned out 180 degrees different.

Where I Went Wrong is a tragicomical story about a man who can’t seem to get out of his own way. Tony Mazza is a man who lives in perpetual adolescence, refusing to take life seriously until reality gives him a cold, hard stare. The reverse chronology relates how Tony’s four decades have been marred by bad luck and even worse decisions. Yet, Tony’s harmless nature and charismatic persona make the reader hope for his fortunes to change. The one consistent factor in Tony’s life is his friendship with Sandy Quade, who has been a chum since childhood. Despite lending Tony a hand when needed, Sandy often factors into Tony’s errors in judgment. The guilt of his sister’s disappearance lies heavy on Tony, and Tony’s self-destructive actions throughout the years hint at a form of self-flagellation. As long as his sister remains missing, absolution is not something Tony is willing to grant himself. Author David Galef has written a thoughtful, introspective, funny, and moving novel that packs an emotional punch. This is a standout effort and should find a wide audience.