There’s no shortage of novels that chronicle a character “coming of age.” In fact, it seems like nearly every protagonist ever written finds themselves in some “defining” moment of their life whether it ends in success or failure. However, A Crude Tool for Self-Decapitation is not one of those novels and its protagonist/narrator is definitely not one of those characters. This book is more of a character's self portrait than a novel in the traditional sense. I do not believe how a person reacts in those rare and extreme moments is what really defines who they are. Our perceptions of the seemingly mundane moments of our lives, and the thoughts that occur during them reveal a much more comprehensive picture of who we really are. So, allow me to introduce you to Alden Baird, a 22 year old college student who is so desperate to find who he is and where he belongs in the world that he is only able to become increasingly frustrated with himself and everything around him as that ever elusive “defining” moment never comes.