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Title: The Family Man
Author: Elinor Lipman
Genre: Contemporary lit
Thingummies: 3.5
Synopsis: When a gay retired New York lawyer makes the mistake of reaching out to his ex-wife with condolences on the loss of her third husband, he discovers his free spirit ex-step-daughter and has his life turned upside down.
Thoughts: This is the classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl with a twist--the uptight guy whose life she turns around is her gay ex-stepfather.
It's a charming bit of wish fulfillment that will keep you delightfully entertained as you roll along, and make little to no sense in retrospect. Wannabe actress Thalia, who flirts with everyone and wears her step-grandmother's clothes, is the kind of person who's deliciously fun in fiction and who you'd want to bash her head in with a brick after two days if you knew her in real life. She respects no one's boundaries in her kooky fun, and manages to drag her newly acquired father into her scheme to pretend to be an actor's girlfriend for the publicity. (I just keep coming up against this particular hook lately.)
There's surprisingly little conflict here--everyone (almost) ends up with the best of intentions and everyone (almost) gets their happy ending, as implausible as it all may be. It's sweet, and fun, and might well rot your teeth. A quick read without much substance, but pleasant enough if you're looking for a comfortable way to pass the time.
Author: Elinor Lipman
Genre: Contemporary lit
Thingummies: 3.5
Synopsis: When a gay retired New York lawyer makes the mistake of reaching out to his ex-wife with condolences on the loss of her third husband, he discovers his free spirit ex-step-daughter and has his life turned upside down.
Thoughts: This is the classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl with a twist--the uptight guy whose life she turns around is her gay ex-stepfather.
It's a charming bit of wish fulfillment that will keep you delightfully entertained as you roll along, and make little to no sense in retrospect. Wannabe actress Thalia, who flirts with everyone and wears her step-grandmother's clothes, is the kind of person who's deliciously fun in fiction and who you'd want to bash her head in with a brick after two days if you knew her in real life. She respects no one's boundaries in her kooky fun, and manages to drag her newly acquired father into her scheme to pretend to be an actor's girlfriend for the publicity. (I just keep coming up against this particular hook lately.)
There's surprisingly little conflict here--everyone (almost) ends up with the best of intentions and everyone (almost) gets their happy ending, as implausible as it all may be. It's sweet, and fun, and might well rot your teeth. A quick read without much substance, but pleasant enough if you're looking for a comfortable way to pass the time.
