Loser's Memorial (2012) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Pete Abbott aka Zerd: Pete Abbott obtains his nickname 'Zerd' from a spelling error on a tattoo of a lizard he has on his arm. After his mother leaves abruptly, his father becomes more politically radical, drinking away his pain. Pete soon develops a deep skepticism and distrust of everything. Unfortunately for him, his keen awareness can't always save him from his poor decisions and worse luck.
• Jamil: Jamil is a Moroccan teen who spends his days assisting at his uncle's auto repair shop while his father is in Qatar working construction. Jamil has dreams of being a football star one day, but knows he will likely end up inheriting his uncle's business. His pride will get him into trouble, but just might see him out of it as well.

Quotes edit see section history

• “Right now, I know what they’re saying. Their orders are something like, We need a confirmed kill. They need my dead body, or at least my head. Beheadings are the thing to do to your enemies around here. When in Rome and all that shit, right?”

  Pete Abbott aka Zerd

• “Men much harder than you or I have died in those mountains, and they had years of preparation, training and equipment. You have no such resources. You must know there is no hope of escape.”

  Mikhail

• “I must convince you. I know. I must find a way. I will. I will! I promise! I’ll convince you! For now make it stop. Please!”

  Jamil

• “Go home and put your hands in ice. If you don’t, tomorrow you'll be sore as a whore at the Fuck Me Free store.”

  Tattoo Steve

• “That was, as Steve once said, 'As wrong as my dick is long.'”

  Pete Abbott aka Zerd

• “What is there to understand? They are both American. Just hate them both.”

  Mister K

• “They are crazed with rage. They are not born with a desire to explode themselves or to kill others. Madmen convince them to do it, and they are easily convinced because they have been beaten into something sub-human.”

  Prasad

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Unknown: Jamil's knowledge of the location of the black site is limited. He is only taken outside to discourage him from escaping. Inside, he is amazed at the size of the facility, and surprised at its newness, how quickly and recently it seems to have been assembled.
• Iraq
• America
• Arabic
• Baghdad
• Morocco
• Beast
• Usa
• United States

First Sentence edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• NYFB: None of your f-ing business.
• PSFU: PS. F-you or Patron Saint of F-ups

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

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• Anti-War: Skepticism of war, how it is made and the reasons it is made runs throughout the entire book. The clear assumption is that war is often made entirely for profit and power, and never for the stated reasons (such as morality or defense).
• Anti-hero: Pete Abbott aka Zerd doesn't seem to stand for anything, but he rebels strongly when attacked. Jamil becomes a hero as he tries to survive the torture and prove his innocence. Both battle against becoming that which they despise.
• Extremism: John Abbott (father of Pete Abbott aka Zerd) displays a form of extremism not often seen in literature: the extreme pacifist. So involved he is in his anti-war activities, he neglects his own son.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Larry Nocella (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Book contains adult language, adult situations and violence. Rated R.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › Literary

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Larry Nocella blog: Discusses Loser's Memorial, previous works, writing, and anything else.
• Loser's Memorial Spotify Playlist: Music that inspired the novel Loser's Memorial. Requires the free Spotify music app.
• Larry Nocella's personal website: Home to all Larry Nocella's writings. You can find his five-year blog (ROFL: Random Outbursts From Lar!) there as well.

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history