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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
The dry wit and snappy dialogue are what I like most about this author.
In this book Henry is a retired attorney, gay, living a quiet, well-ordered life. He is divorced from his wife Denise, estranged from the step-daughter he adored, Thalia. When he gets a hysterical phone call from his ex-wife whose recent husband has died and she’s been cut out of the will, Henry’s quiet life becomes disrupted with demands on his time, and his expertise. The best part is that it brings Thalia back into his life. Thalia, a wanna-be actress considers fake dating an actor to raise both their profiles. She moves into Henry’s basement so he can help her navigate this contract. Henry begins to shine in his role as father, lawyer, friend and finds new love in the process.
Lots goes on, and at the center of this comedy is steadfast, sarcastic Henry and his wry wisdom.
In this book Henry is a retired attorney, gay, living a quiet, well-ordered life. He is divorced from his wife Denise, estranged from the step-daughter he adored, Thalia. When he gets a hysterical phone call from his ex-wife whose recent husband has died and she’s been cut out of the will, Henry’s quiet life becomes disrupted with demands on his time, and his expertise. The best part is that it brings Thalia back into his life. Thalia, a wanna-be actress considers fake dating an actor to raise both their profiles. She moves into Henry’s basement so he can help her navigate this contract. Henry begins to shine in his role as father, lawyer, friend and finds new love in the process.
Lots goes on, and at the center of this comedy is steadfast, sarcastic Henry and his wry wisdom.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow-moving but humorous story.
I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just wasn't crazy about this. Obviously, it's ME, because everyone else seems to like it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
Audiobook review. I enjoyed this as with other Lipman books. There was one plot point that really made me cringe in 2023 but a fun listen nonetheless.
Highly recommended by Jane, who says, "Quirky characters I really cared about and a lively story. Lipman is witty, warm and wise. Sparkling dialog and a wonderful audiobook.''
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sfamily%20man%20lipman__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sfamily%20man%20lipman__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Henry Archer is retired, lonely, gay, wealthy, and living in a fabulous townhouse on the Upper West Side of New York City. His ex-wife, that's right ex-wife, calls him hysterical after the funeral of her husband. Apparently her behavior at the funeral is the talk of the town. Henry has had a complicated relationship with Denise over the years. When they married, he adopted her young daughter, Thalia, and adored the little girl. But, thinking of Thalia's long-term emotional health, he allowed Denise's third husband, to adopt Thalia, after Denise remarried following their divorce. Denise wants to be back in Henry's life and he isn't so sure and he certainly finds the daily phone calls to be disturbing as well as draining. Then Henry is reconnected with Thalia, now 29, and he is anxious to reestablish a relationship. The problem is neither of them want Denise to know that they are back in touch and Thalia has agreed, to Henry's horror, to pose as the girlfriend of an aging horror-film actor as an attempt to revive his career. In this wonderfully slapstick adventure, Henry tries to maintain control in an increasingly out of control situation, and ultimately finds out that families and love come in all different combinations.
pretty funny, fast read. likeable characters. plot was confusing, a little boring
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Elinor Lipman is one of my favorite authors of the last few years. Her tales often involve an emotionally distant character coming to grips with getting to know someone. In this case, Henry Archer has been pining for his step daughter for 20 years and is finally reconnected when his ex-wife's current husband passes away. She decided they should be friends again - after all, it's been 20 years since she cheated on him! Of course, Henry has come out of the closet in the meantime. Henry doesn't know what to do with so many people to juggle after many years of a fairly solitude life. Totally funny story of how we keep things from each other.