“(T)his beautiful and heart-wrenching work…yields a deeply affecting testament to the fragility of life, and the human capacity for resilience.”

―starred review, Publishers Weekly

“”At the center of this beautifully written memoir by a father about his son Max, is a loving, devoted family. Ivan is a sportswriter, his clean, direct writing style is riveting and emotional. One winter day, when his son goes missing on purpose, the family unspools first in shock, then grief, and finally redemption as the author finds a letter written to him from Max from happier times. There is so much love in this memoir, the reader too, is redeemed. There is humor and grace as the Maisels find their way in the world without this beautiful soul in their midst. The family holds their memories of this original, one of a kind young man in their hearts. You will too. I couldn’t put it down.”

―Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Shoemaker’s Wife

“Having lost a child myself, it’s hard for me to imagine a parent experiencing anything that is more painful. Losing a child to suicide adds another layer to the grief because we can’t understand why it happened. In I Keep Trying To Catch His Eye, Ivan Maisel shares his family’s story of losing a son to suicide. He examines some deep issues that aren’t easy for us to talk about—suicide, mental health, grief, and recovery.  This book will be helpful to anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one but especially to those who have been impacted by suicide.”“

―Tony Dungy, NBC Sports, former NFL player/head coach and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

“Ivan Maisel lends a story of unfathomable tragedy – the loss of his son to suicide – the same eloquence and grace that he has long brought to sports journalism. As much as a memoir, I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye is a moving meditation on navigating grief, with Maisel reaching an understanding that comes to sustain him: That grief is an expression of love.”

―— Steve Wieberg, senior writer and editor, Kansas City Public Library

“Such an incredible read. It was at times heart-wrenching, inspirational & compelling, but mostly it was about love. A Dad’s unconditional love for his son.”

Brett McMurphy, Action Network

“An intimate chronicle of abiding love.” 

― Kirkus Reviews

“This is a poignant memoir about the love that propels us to carry on and move forward after loss. Ivan Maisel gives voice to emotions that many of us have felt but few have been able to articulate.”

―Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and coauthor of Option B

“Loss and grief create a division between the uninitiated and those who speak the language. Maisel’s gem of a book bravely bridges two worlds to help translate the many facets in grieving a child’s death. Unvarnished and unsparing, this award-winning sportswriter turns the lens on his own journey to make sense of the unimaginable, demonstrating how we get through it without ever getting over it.

—Lee Woodruff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In An Instant

“This book is one of the most compelling things that I have ever read. It will grab your heart and get you thinking about your own life and relationships in a really profound way.“

— Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

“It is stunningly well written. This book took me on a journey that I did not expect. It was visceral and immediate. I found the book deeply moving, tender and raw at the same time. But more than that, it was something that I, or any reader, can relate to experientially. Emotionally reading it was much like the feeling of having a Band-Aid ripped off my own experiences. This book provides a truly safe space for the reader to open a Pandora’s Box of their own grief while following the path of Ivan’s. His family relationships bring hope as well, since he walks us through how they choose to communicate, be gentle with each other, and celebrate Max in big and small ways.”

— Alice Hutchinson, Byrd’s Books, Bethel, CT