Prodigal Song is a story of excess, obsession, and redemption, told with humor and heart. From chasing rock ’n’ roll fantasies to wrestling with identity and faith, this Gen X memoir explores the highs and lows of ambition and finding grace in unexpected places. A nostalgic must-read for dreamers everywhere.
Part comedy, part cautionary tale, Prodigal Song offers a nostalgic and humorous take on chasing fame in the most image-obsessed place on Earth—Hollywood, California.
For many, the rock ’n’ roll dream ends in bad tattoos, rehab, or worse. For me, it led to a loss of faith and a ballooning waistline. By age twenty-five, I was overweight and spiritually flailing while trying to succeed in an industry where image is everything. So began a decade-long journey of excess and obsession—over my body, my diet, and the pursuit of success in music. I dropped 65 pounds as part of my transformation, though my soul was increasingly out of tune.
Then came an unexpected mentor—a straight-talking, virtuoso guitarist with a gift for speaking hard truths. Through his wisdom, I began to see beyond the mirror and uncover a path to redemption.
Prodigal Song is a story of excess and obsession, but it’s also one of grace, humor, and finding faith in the unlikeliest of places. Whether you’re a music fan, a dreamer, or someone who’s ever struggled with self-worth, this Gen X memoir will leave you laughing, reflecting, and inspired.
Details
- BOOK TITLE: Prodigal Song: A Gen X Memoir of Excess and Obsession in Pursuit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream
- AUTHOR: Sean Coons
- PUBLISHER: Shimmer Tree Books
- SIMILAR TO: Scar Tissue ( Anthony Keidis), Life (Keith Richards), Just Kids (Patti Smith), Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen), It’s So Easy And Other Lies (Duff McKagen), Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body ( Roxane Gay), My Belly (Hilde Østby), The Elephant in the Room: One Fat Man’s Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing America (Tommy Tomlinson)
- GENRE: Memoir, Biography
- SUBGENRES: Music, Humor, Body Image, Christian Non-Fiction
- READER AGE: Teen and up
- FORMATS: eBook, Paperback
- ISSUES EXPLORED: Coming of age, path of the musician and artist, body image, weight loss, exercise, faith, Christianity, transformation, redemption
- PUBLICATION DATE: July 5, 2025
- PRESS RELEASE: Download here
- PRESS INQUIRIES: Contact Shimmer Tree Books


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